Amphicoelias Facts
Pronunciation: AM-fee-SEE-lee-as
Name meaning: Double Hollow
| Diet | Herbivore |
| Height | 5m |
| Length | 18m |
| Weight | 15 tonnes |
| Environment | Land |
| Era | Jurassic |
| Period | Late Jurassic |
| Type | Sauropod |
| Location | United States |
Amphicoelias was a fascinating sauropod dinosaur that roamed the ancient landscapes of Colorado approximately 150 million years ago during the Late Jurassic period. Despite being closely related to the famous Diplodocus, Amphicoelias was notably more compact, measuring about 18 metres in length and weighing around 15 tonnes. This made it considerably shorter than its famous cousin, though it was still an impressive giant by any measure.
What truly set Amphicoelias apart from other sauropods were its distinctive body proportions. This dinosaur possessed remarkably long and slender hindlimbs, giving it a more graceful appearance than many of its bulkier relatives. Additionally, its forelimbs were proportionally longer than those found in other similar sauropods, creating a more balanced stance that may have aided in reaching vegetation at various heights.
As a herbivore, Amphicoelias would have spent much of its time browsing on the lush plant life that flourished during the Late Jurassic. Its long neck allowed it to reach high into the canopy of conifers and tree ferns, whilst its ability to rear up on its powerful hindlimbs would have extended its reach even further. The dinosaur's name, meaning 'double hollow', refers to the distinctive hollow chambers found in its vertebrae, which helped reduce the weight of its massive skeleton whilst maintaining structural strength.
What made Amphicoelias distinctive?
Amphicoelias was distinguished by its unusually long and slender hindlimbs, which were much more gracile than those of other sauropods. Its forelimbs were also proportionally longer than in related species, creating a more balanced body profile. The vertebrae contained distinctive double hollow chambers that gave the dinosaur its name.
Behaviour
Amphicoelias likely lived in herds, moving through the Late Jurassic forests in search of food. Its long, graceful limbs suggest it was more agile than many sauropods, possibly able to navigate varied terrain more effectively. The dinosaur would have reared up on its hindlimbs to reach the highest vegetation, using its tail as a counterbalance.
Discovery
Amphicoelias was first described by Othniel Charles Marsh in 1877. The original fossils were discovered at Morrison Formation, Colorado, USA.
Amphicoelias FAQ
What did Amphicoelias eat?
Amphicoelias was a herbivore that fed on the plant life available during the
Late Jurassic period, including conifers, ferns, and cycads. Its long neck allowed it to browse on vegetation at various heights, from ground level up to the forest canopy.
How big was Amphicoelias?
Amphicoelias measured approximately 18 metres in length, stood about 5 metres tall at the hip, and weighed around 15 tonnes. This made it notably more compact than its close relative
Diplodocus, though it was still a formidable giant.
When did Amphicoelias live?
Amphicoelias lived during the
Late Jurassic period, approximately 158 to 149 million years ago. This was during the Tithonian stage, a time when many famous sauropods roamed North America.
Where was Amphicoelias found?
Amphicoelias fossils were discovered in the Morrison Formation of Colorado, United States. This famous geological formation has yielded numerous important dinosaur discoveries from the
Late Jurassic period.
How do you pronounce Amphicoelias?
Amphicoelias is pronounced AM-fee-SEE-lee-as, with emphasis on the first and third syllables. The name comes from Greek words meaning 'double hollow'.
What does Amphicoelias mean?
Amphicoelias means 'double hollow' in Greek, referring to the distinctive hollow chambers found in the dinosaur's vertebrae. These chambers helped reduce the weight of its skeleton whilst maintaining structural strength.
How fast could Amphicoelias run?
The exact speed of Amphicoelias is unknown, but its long, slender limbs suggest it may have been more agile than other sauropods. However, like all large sauropods, it would have been built more for endurance walking rather than running.
What type of dinosaur was Amphicoelias?
Amphicoelias was a sauropod dinosaur, belonging to the Diplodocidae family. These were long-necked, herbivorous dinosaurs that walked on four legs and were among the largest land animals ever to exist.
Was Amphicoelias related to birds?
Like all dinosaurs, Amphicoelias was distantly related to modern birds. However, as a sauropod, it belonged to a different major group (Saurischia) than the theropod dinosaurs that directly evolved into birds.
How many Amphicoelias fossils have been found?
Amphicoelias is known from limited fossil material, making it one of the less completely understood sauropods. The fossils that have been found come from the Morrison Formation in Colorado, discovered in the late 1800s during the famous 'Bone Wars' period of palaeontology.
