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Camarasaurus News

camarasaurus: herbivore dinosaur from the Jurassic era

Camarasaurus Facts

Pronunciation: CAM-ah-rah-SORE-us

Name meaning: Chambered Lizard

Diet	Herbivore
Height	5m
Length	18m
Weight	20 tonnes
Speed	15 km/h
Environment	Land
Era	Jurassic
Period	Late Jurassic
Type	Sauropod
Location	North America

Camarasaurus was a magnificent sauropod dinosaur that roamed the ancient landscapes of North America during the Late Jurassic period, approximately 155 to 145 million years ago. This enormous plant-eater was one of the most common sauropods of its time, with fossils discovered across several western US states including Colorado, Utah, Wyoming, and New Mexico. Named by palaeontologist Edward Drinker Cope in 1877, Camarasaurus gets its name from the distinctive hollow chambers, called pleurocoels, found in its neck vertebrae.

Measuring up to 18 metres in length and standing 5 metres tall at the hips, Camarasaurus weighed approximately 20 tonnes. Unlike some of its sauropod relatives, Camarasaurus had a relatively shorter neck and a more compact build. Its skull was proportionally larger and more robust than other sauropods, equipped with strong, spoon-shaped teeth perfectly adapted for stripping tough vegetation from trees and large plants.

As a herbivore, Camarasaurus fed on conifers, ferns, and cycads that dominated the Jurassic landscape. Its powerful teeth could crush and shear plant material more effectively than the peg-like teeth of other sauropods. The dinosaur likely travelled in herds across the floodplains and forests, using its long neck to reach high vegetation whilst its massive body provided stability.

Camarasaurus is among the best-understood dinosaurs, with over 530 specimens discovered, including several complete skeletons. This wealth of fossil evidence has provided palaeontologists with detailed insights into sauropod anatomy, growth patterns, and behaviour, making it a cornerstone species for understanding these gentle giants.

What made Camarasaurus distinctive?

Camarasaurus had a relatively short neck compared to other sauropods, a large, robust skull with strong spoon-shaped teeth, and distinctive hollow chambers in its vertebrae. Its compact build and proportionally massive head made it easily recognisable among Late Jurassic sauropods.

Behaviour

Camarasaurus likely lived in herds, as evidenced by multiple individuals found together at fossil sites. Adults probably protected their young by keeping them in the centre of the group whilst travelling. The dinosaur used its shorter neck efficiently to browse vegetation at medium heights, avoiding direct competition with longer-necked sauropods.

Fun Facts About Camarasaurus

Camarasaurus had some of the strongest teeth of any sauropod, with wear patterns showing they could actually chew their food rather than just swallowing it whole
The first complete sauropod skeleton ever mounted in a museum was a Camarasaurus specimen displayed in 1901
Camarasaurus babies grew incredibly quickly, increasing their body weight by thousands of times in just a few years
Unlike many sauropods, Camarasaurus had a relatively short tail that made up less than half its total body length
Fossil trackways suggest that Camarasaurus herds could include dozens of individuals travelling together across ancient floodplains

Camarasaurus in Popular Culture

Camarasaurus has appeared in several documentaries about dinosaurs and occasionally features in dinosaur-themed video games, though it's less famous than some of its sauropod relatives like Brontosaurus or Diplodocus.

Scientific Classification

Phylum	Chordata
Class	Saurischia
Genus	Camarasaurus

Discovery

Camarasaurus was first described by Edward Drinker Cope in 1877. The original fossils were discovered at Morrison Formation, Colorado, USA.

Camarasaurus FAQ

What did Camarasaurus eat?

Camarasaurus was a herbivore that fed on tough Jurassic plants including conifers, ferns, and cycads. Its strong, spoon-shaped teeth were perfectly adapted for stripping and crushing vegetation, unlike other sauropods that mostly swallowed plants whole.

How big was Camarasaurus?

Camarasaurus reached lengths of up to 18 metres and stood about 5 metres tall at the hips. Adult specimens weighed approximately 20 tonnes, making them substantial but not the largest of the sauropod dinosaurs.

When did Camarasaurus live?

Camarasaurus lived during the Late Jurassic period, approximately 155 to 145 million years ago. This was during the golden age of sauropods, when these giant plant-eaters dominated many ecosystems.

Where was Camarasaurus found?

Camarasaurus fossils have been discovered across the western United States, particularly in Colorado, Utah, Wyoming, and New Mexico. Most specimens come from the famous Morrison Formation, which preserves Late Jurassic ecosystems.

How do you pronounce Camarasaurus?

Camarasaurus is pronounced 'CAM-ah-rah-SORE-us', with emphasis on the first and last syllables. The name flows quite naturally once you break it down into its component parts.

What does Camarasaurus mean?

Camarasaurus means 'chambered lizard', referring to the distinctive hollow chambers called pleurocoels found in its neck vertebrae. These air-filled spaces helped reduce the weight of the massive neck bones.

How fast could Camarasaurus run?

Camarasaurus could probably reach speeds of around 15 km/h when necessary, though as a massive quadruped, it likely spent most of its time moving much more slowly whilst feeding. Its legs were built for supporting great weight rather than speed.

What type of dinosaur was Camarasaurus?

Camarasaurus was a sauropod dinosaur, belonging to the family Camarasauridae. Sauropods were the largest land animals that ever lived, characterised by their long necks, long tails, small heads, and massive bodies.

Was Camarasaurus related to birds?

As a sauropod, Camarasaurus belonged to the saurischian dinosaurs, which includes the lineage that eventually led to modern birds. However, sauropods themselves were not closely related to the theropod dinosaurs that directly evolved into birds.

How many Camarasaurus fossils have been found?

Over 530 Camarasaurus specimens have been discovered, including several complete skeletons. This makes it one of the best-known dinosaurs and provides scientists with exceptional insight into sauropod biology and development.