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New dinosaur tracks on the Isle of Skye: a glimpse into the world of the Jurassic period
Braunschweig. Where steep cliffs and rough seas dominate the landscape today, 167 million years ago the climate was completely different: tropical, warm and teeming with life. On the Scottish Isle of Skye, palaeontologists have now discovered 131 fossilised footprints belonging to sauropods and bipedal predatory dinosaurs. The tracks lead right into the Middle Jurassic period – and provide new insights into the behaviour of these prehistoric giants.
Carnivores and long-necks: two groups of dinosaurs dominate
The research team led by Tone Blakesley from the University of Edinburgh made the spectacular discoveries on the coast of the Trotternish peninsula. The Isle of Skye has attracted attention in the past for its exceptionally well-preserved dinosaur tracks, including the famous ‘dinosaur disco’, where the tracks of several species intersect.
The new footprints can be divided into two categories: predatory dinosaurs with three-toed tracks and the round, more massive footprints of the long-necked sauropods. Of the total of 131 tracks, 65 are attributed to carnivores and 58 to herbivores. Eight footprints remain a mystery for now.
Gigantic footprints: Megalosaurus and Cetiosaurus as candidates
The size of the tracks is particularly impressive. The largest theropod footprints measure over 46 centimetres and indicate animals that were around six metres long and almost two metres tall. Possible candidates are Megalosaurus bucklandii or Duriavenator hesperis, both predatory dinosaurs whose fossils are also known from England.
Even more impressive are the sauropod tracks: with an average length of 51 centimetres, they could have come from Cetiosaurus oxoniensis, a long-necked dinosaur up to 18 metres long and weighing 20 tonnes, which is considered one of the earliest representatives of this group.
Loners rather than herd animals
The analysis of the tracks also provides clues about the social behaviour of dinosaurs. The researchers found no evidence of coordinated movements or herd structures. Instead, the footprints run in different directions – an indication that the animals tended to travel alone.
Nevertheless, the ecosystem of that time was diverse. In addition to dinosaurs, crocodile-like reptiles, early mammals, salamanders, turtles and pterosaurs also populated the lagoon landscape.
Palaeontological treasure trove for research
The Isle of Skye has once again proven to be an important site for discoveries. Unlike bones, footprints provide direct evidence of behaviour, movement patterns and habitats. The new finds are therefore invaluable to palaeontology.
They not only allow us to glimpse the giants of the Jurassic period, but also the complex interplay of an ecosystem that existed 167 million years ago and still amazes us today.
- New dinosaur tracks on the Isle of Skye: a glimpse into the world of the Jurassic period - 18. September 2025
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