Diplodocus

Quck answer

Diplodocus is a genus of herbivorous sauropod dinosaurs that lived during the Late Jurassic period, about 154-152 million years ago. They were some of the largest animals to ever walk the earth, with a long neck and tail and a small head. Diplodocus had a unique feature called a whip-like tail that they could use to defend themselves against predators. They were also able to reach high branches with their long necks, allowing them to eat vegetation that other animals couldn’t reach. Diplodocus fossils have been found in North America, and they continue to be a popular subject of study and fascination for paleontologists and the public alike.

Extinct Species

If buried in sand, these young Diplodocus specimens would have turned into fossils for paleontologists to investigate.
Canadian Museum of Nature

DIPLODOCUS (die-PLOH-dah-kus)

Period: Late Jurassic

Order, Suborder, Family: Saurischia, Sauropodomorpha, Diplodocidae

Location: North America (United States)

Length: 90 feet (27 meters)

Diplodocus was given its name because of a unique characteristic of its vertebrae. Each vertebra in its tail had a bone piece (called a chevron) that extended both forward and backward, creating a “double beam.” Diplodocus was constructed like a massive suspension bridge, supported by four enormous pillars. In contrast to its heavier relatives, Apatosaurus and Barosaurus, which lived in the same semi-arid regions, Diplodocus was lightly built with a long, flexible neck and an even longer tail.

Diplodocus is the longest dinosaur identified from complete skeletons. It weighed no more than 20 tons, half of what its larger relatives weighed. This gave Diplodocus the advantage of grace and agility when traversing the landscape. Perhaps it could more easily avoid predators.

The head of Diplodocus was small and lightly built. It was long and slender, resembling the shape of a horse’s head, and about the same size. However, unlike a horse, Diplodocus had no teeth in the sides of its jaws. It had long, slender teeth at the front of its mouth. Additionally, the jaw bones were small, and the jaw muscles were weak. This indicates that Diplodocus ate soft plants, probably the freshest new growth at the tops of conifers and tree ferns, as well as ferns on the ground.

The skeleton provides clues as to how Diplodocus collected food. Its neck was long, slender, and laterally flexible, allowing Diplodocus to graze across a broad arc without moving. However, its neck was relatively inflexible in a vertical plane; Diplodocus could not raise its head much higher than its shoulders. Some sauropod skeletons were found with gastroliths or stomach stones. The gastroliths helped grind food in the stomach and aided digestion.

Early depictions of Diplodocus and Apatosaurus showed these dinosaurs as slow, plodding reptiles with a sprawling posture, dragging their tails on the ground. Trackways and their skeletons reveal that this is incorrect. Diplodocus and its relatives walked with their feet directly beneath their bodies. They also kept their tails off the ground, which balanced their bodies as they walked.

The Diplodocus skeletons discovered by Earl Douglass in eastern Utah in the 1890s caused a sensation. It was bigger and more impressive than any other dinosaur in North America, except Apatosaurus. The mounted skeleton in the Carnegie Museum of Natural History in Pittsburgh was named “Dippy.” It became an instant celebrity.

Diplodocus has been exhibited in more places worldwide than any other sauropod. Early in this century, Andrew Carnegie sent casts of the complete skeleton from the Carnegie Museum to the most significant museums in Europe.

FAQ

1. What is a Diplodocus?

A Diplodocus is a type of dinosaur that lived during the Jurassic period, around 150 million years ago. It was a herbivore and had a long neck and tail, as well as a small head in comparison to the rest of its body. Diplodocus is one of the most well-known dinosaurs, and its fossils have been found all over the world.

2. How big was a Diplodocus?

Diplodocus was a very large dinosaur, measuring up to 90 feet in length and weighing around 15 tons. Its long neck alone could measure up to 26 feet long. Despite its size, Diplodocus was a gentle giant and likely used its size as a means of defense against predators.

3. What did Diplodocus eat?

Diplodocus was a herbivore, meaning it only ate plants. It had a small head and teeth that were adapted for stripping leaves off of trees. Because of its long neck and tall body, Diplodocus was able to reach high up into trees to find food.

4. Where have Diplodocus fossils been found?

Diplodocus fossils have been found all over the world, including in North America, Europe, and Africa. Some of the most well-known Diplodocus fossils have been found in the western United States, including in Colorado and Wyoming.

5. When did Diplodocus go extinct?

Diplodocus, like all dinosaurs, went extinct around 65 million years ago. The exact cause of their extinction is still debated among scientists, but it is believed that a combination of factors, including climate change and natural disasters, played a role.

6. What is the meaning behind the name “Diplodocus”?

The name “Diplodocus” comes from Greek words meaning “double beam.” This refers to the double row of bones that Diplodocus had in its neck, which provided support and allowed for flexibility.

7. How did Diplodocus move?

Diplodocus was a quadruped, meaning it walked on four legs. Despite its size, Diplodocus was able to move relatively quickly, with a top speed of around 15 miles per hour. Its long tail likely helped it maintain balance while walking.

8. Did Diplodocus have any predators?

Diplodocus likely had several predators, including large theropod dinosaurs like Allosaurus. However, because of its size and the fact that it likely lived in herds, Diplodocus may have been able to defend itself against predators to some extent.

9. What is the significance of Diplodocus in popular culture?

Diplodocus is one of the most well-known and recognizable dinosaurs, and has been featured in countless movies, TV shows, and books. Its unique appearance and gentle nature have made it a favorite among dinosaur enthusiasts of all ages.

10. Are there any living animals that are similar to Diplodocus?

There are no living animals that are similar to Diplodocus, as it was a unique and distinct species. However, some modern-day animals, like giraffes, have long necks that are similar in function to Diplodocus’s neck, allowing them to reach high up into trees to find food.