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Support its massive size
- Its double-beamed vertebrae were an innovation that allowed it to support its massive size. This feature, combined with its long neck and tail, made it one of the most distinctive dinosaurs of its time.
thedinosaurs.org/dinosaurs/diplodocus
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Why did Diplodocus have double beams?
How did Diplodocus get its name?
Why did Diplodocus have a tail?
What did a Diplodocus look like?
The middle part of the tail had "double beams" (oddly shaped chevron bones on the underside, which gave Diplodocus its name). They may have provided support for the vertebrae, or perhaps prevented the blood vessels from being crushed if the animal's heavy tail pressed against the ground. These "double beams" are also seen in some related dinosaurs.
- Diplodocus Origins, Taxonomy and Timeline
- Discovery & Fossil Evidence
- Diplodocus Size and Description
- Diplodocus Games
- The Dinosaur in Detail
- The Diplodocus in Its Natural Habitat and Environment
- Contemporary Dinosaurs
Diplodocus means “double beam,” derived from the structure of its vertebrae. The Diplodocus belongs to the group Sauropodomorpha–a clade of long-necked, herbivorous dinosaurs known for their impressive size. The unique form of its vertebrae, a testament to the marvels of evolutionary engineering, allowed the dinosaur to support its enormous size. T...
In 1877, renowned geologist and paleontologist Benjamin Mudge discovered the first fossil. This find from Colorado, USA marked a significant moment in the study of dinosaurs by introducing the world to one of the longest creatures to have ever lived. Since that initial discovery, numerous other fossils have been found, primarily in present-day west...
The Diplodocus is a dinosaur that truly captures the imagination. Its size and physical characteristics set it apart from its contemporary dinosaurs and make it a fascinating subject of study.
Test (and refresh) your knowledge about Diplodocus and other dinosaurs by playing this fun quiz: Don’t forget to try our other gamesas well!
The Diplodocus was a marvel of prehistoric engineering. Its double-beamed vertebrae were an innovation that allowed it to support its massive size. This feature, combined with its long neck and tail, made it one of the most distinctive dinosaurs of its time. The Diplodocus was an herbivore, and this long neck was an integral characteristic that all...
The Diplodocus lived during the Late Jurassic period during a time when the Earth’s climate was warm and humid. The sites of its fossil finds are in todays North America. However, in the Late Jurassic it was a part of a supercontinent known as Laurasia. A landscape dominated by coniferous forests and fern prairies, providing ample food for this her...
The Diplodocus, a creature of extraordinary length and grace, shared its world with a diverse cast of contemporary Laurasian dinosaurs. These fellow dinosaurs each had their own unique traits and behaviors and played their roles in a complex dance of coexistence and competition. Consider the Allosaurus: a formidable predatorwith a presence starkly ...
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- Double beam
- Sauropodomorpha
- Diplodocus longus
Feb 16, 2024 · The initial discovery took place in the rich fossil beds of the Morrison Formation. A year later, in 1878, Othniel Charles Marsh, a prominent paleontologist of his time, gave the dinosaur its name,...
Mar 17, 2016 · Because of Diplodocus' unusual skeleton, paleontologist Othniel C. Marsh coined its name in 1878, deriving it from the Greek words "diplos," meaning "double," and "dokos" meaning "beam."
A year later, in 1878, paleontologist Othniel Charles Marsh named the new dinosaur Diplodocus longus, meaning “double beam,” alluding to the dinosaur’s distinctive double-beamed chevron bones on the underside of the tail.
Diplodocus, meaning “double beam,” was a giant sauropod dinosaur that lived during the Late Jurassic period, approximately 155 to 145 million years ago, in what is now western North America. Diplodocus was a long-necked herbivorous dinosaur that could grow up to 90 feet in length and weigh up to 15 tons.
One of the unique features of Diplodocus was its double-beamed neural spines, which projected upward from its vertebrae. These spines likely supported a sail-like structure of skin and muscle that may have been used for display or regulating body temperature².
