Page 51 - Prehistoric Animals

Dip-Low-Docus

Diplodocus

What is a Dinosaur ?
Known as a Dinosaur

Diplodocus (Double beam*) is ge-
nus of, diplodocid sauropod dinosaurs. It was first dis-
covered in 1877 by S. W. Williston, and named in 1878 by
Othniel Charles Marsh. It lived around the end of
the Jurassic period, an estimated 152 to 145 million years
ago. The actual length and mass of Diplodocus has prov-
en difficult to estimate. When first discovered and the
bones erected for public display, it was hailed as the
longest animal ever to have roamed the planet. This,
however, was proven incorrect when it was discover the
tail bones had been erected incorrectly. Once corrected
the animal lost several feet in length, and was overtaken
by a longer species. Arguably, the average length of Dip-
lodocus was around 33 metres long, and it weighed in
around 11 to 17 tonnes

Diplodocus was shaped like your typical sauro-
pod. It had a large round body supported by four sturdy
legs; the forelegs being slightly shorter than the hind
legs. Its neck, which could be around 6 metres long, and
its incredibly long tail were the main contributors to its
length. The function of such a long tail is unclear. It
could have simply been a counterbalance for its long
neck, or it may have had a (whip-like) defensive or noise-
making function. Fossil evidence suggests the tail was
light and was possibly carried outstretched above the
ground. This has prompted the suggestion it may have
had a sensory or tactile function.

Diplodocus was an herbivore. Its jaws were
lined with small sharp pencil like teeth; ideal for snip-
ping and chewing leaves and vegetation. However, was
Diplodocus a low browser, scouring the ground for its
food or was it a high browser, stretching up into the trees
for its food? Maybe, it did both. Fossils are good at tell-
ing us about the animal, but tell us little about how and
animals did things. For instance, large sauropods like
Diplodocus were known to be egg layers. The mystery is;
how did these huge animals manage to safely lay eggs
and look after them?

*The middle part of Diplodocus tail had "double beams"; oddly shaped
chevron bones on the underside that give it its name.