Diplodocus Facts

Diplodocus was a species of dinosaur that lived during the late Jurassic period approximately 150 million years ago. It belonged to the sauropod family of dinosaurs which were characterized by their long necks and tails.

Diplodocus lived in what is now the western United States in an area known as the Morrison Formation. This environment contained a mixture of forests, swamps and open plains. The Morrison Formation also contained an abundant variety of other dinosaurs and plants.

Diplodocus was a herbivore, its long neck allowed it to reach high into the trees to feed on the leaves and branches of taller plants which other dinosaurs could not reach. It had up to 60 teeth which were adapted to grinding tough plant matter.

As one of the largest dinosaurs to have ever lived, Diplodocus was estimated to have grown to a length of up to 27 meters and about 4.6 meters at the hip. It is thought to have weighed relatively little for its size with estimates ranging from 10 to 20 tons.

One of the most distinguishing features of Diplodocus was its long tail which made up more than half of its total length. This tail contained over 80 vertebrae and would have been used for balance and defence against predators. The Diplodocus had a relatively small head with large nostrils and large forward-facing eyes which suggested it had keen senses of smell and vision.

It is believed that Diplodocus lived and moved in large herds making it easier for them to find food and protect themselves from predators. This social behaviour is common among many species of dinosaurs and is thought to have been a key factor in their success as a group.