Apatosaurus: Complete skeleton

説明

Apatosaurus is a genus of saurischian dinosaurs belonging to the sauropodomorph suborder, and more specifically to the diplodocid family. Living at the end of the Jurassic period, around 150 million years ago, this giant dinosaur populated the floodplains and forests of North America. Apatosaurus measured between 21 and 23 meters in length and weighed between 20 and 30 tons. Its massive body was supported by four sturdy legs, the forelegs being slightly shorter than the hind, and it had a long neck and an equally long and slender tail. Its head, relatively small compared to its body, had nostrils located above the eyes. A herbivore, Apatosaurus fed on plants such as conifers, ferns and cycadophytes, using its long neck to reach a wide variety of vegetation, both at ground level and several metres up. The first fossils of Apatosaurus were discovered in the late 19th century, and its name means "deceptive lizard" due to certain features of its vertebrae reminiscent of marine reptiles. For many years, Apatosaurus was confused with Brontosaurus, but recent studies have confirmed that the two names actually refer to two distinct genera, with Brontosaurus being rehabilitated as a separate genus in 2015. Apatosaurus is often cited as one of the classic examples of giant dinosaurs and is well represented in popular culture, including museums and the media, due to its impressive size and iconic appearance. Recent studies suggest that Apatosaurus grew rapidly, reaching adult size in…