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Diplodocus
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Diplodocus was a massive plant-eater (herbivore) that lived in the
Jurassic period,
155 to 145 million years ago, in North America.
Diplodocus was usually around 85 feet (25.9 meters) long, although some specimens were
as long as 100 feet (30.5 meters).
Most of its length was taken up its 24 feet (7.3 meters) neck, and its 46 feet (14 meters)
tail. Its body was only about 13 feet (4 meters) long, and its head was comparatively
tiny, just 2 feet (60 centimeters) long.
Diplodocus probably only weighed around 11 tons, about one third as much
as Apatosaurus, and only
about one eighth as much as
Brachiosaurus.
The first
fossil
skeleton of Diplodocus was found at Como Bluff,
Wyoming
by Benjamin Mudge and Samuel Wendell Williston in 1878. This specimen was
named Diplodocus longus (meaning "long double-beam")
by
Othniel C. Marsh.
Fossils of
Diplodocus are common, and many other specimens have been found, except
for the skull which is usually missing, even from otherwise complete
skeletons.
Over the years, there has been much debate over Diplodocus' posture
and lifestyle:
- Othniel C. Marsh,
originally suggested the creature was probably aquatic based on the position
of the animal's nasal openings in the skull. However, this theory
has subsequently been discarded based on the fact that the water pressure on
the animal's chest wall would have made it impossible for Diplodocus
to breathe.
- An alternative explanation for the position of the nasal openings that
has been proposed, is that Diplodocus may have had a trunk. However,
research regarding the animal's facial nerve and positioning of Diplodocus'
nostrils does not seem to support this theory.
- When Diplodocus was first discovered, it was often depicted with its
limbs splayed in a sprawling lizard-like posture. This theory was also rejected:
in this case, W. J. Holland demonstrated, that because of the great
size of the animal's rib cage, a sprawling posture would have meant that
the animal could only walk with the help of large trenches to pull its
belly through!
- Although many depictions of Diplodocus show the animal with its head
up high, some scientists now argue that such a posture would not have been
possible, simply because the heart would not have been able to sustain the
blood pressure necessary to get enough oxygen to the brain. Additionally, in
further support of this position, it has been argued that the structure of
Diplodocus' neck vertebrae would not have permitted the animal to bend
its neck far upwards.
- Evidence has recently been found, suggesting
that Diplodocus and its relatives may have had
spines made of keratin on its back, perhaps similar to
the spines found on modern Iguanas.
Diplodocus is depicted with this feature in
Walking with Dinosaurs
 .
Diplodocus was a herbivore (plant-eater) that lived from 155 to 145 million years ago
Related Information & Resources
See Also
Diplodocus Facts
Here is a summary of some of the key facts about Diplodocus:
- Diplodocus was a genus of dinosaur.
- "Diplodocus" means "double beam" (referring to double-beamed bones in the underside of its tail). The name was chosen by Othniel C. Marsh in 1878.
- Diplodocus was a member of the Saurischia ("lizard-hipped") order of dinosaurs. What this means, is that although Diplodocus was not closely related to lizards, it did have similarly shaped pelvic bones.
- Diplodocus was a Sauropod - a member of a group of related large quadrupedal herbivorous (plant-eating) dinosaur with long necks.
- Diplodocus lived between about 155 million years ago and 145 million years ago, during the Jurassic period.
- Diplodocus lived in North America.
- Diplodocus was a herbivore (plant-eater).
- Diplodocus is thought to have been a grazer, and probably could not have raised its head very far above the ground level.
- Diplodocus was usually about 85 feet (25.9 meters) long, although sometimes it grew as long as 100 feet (30.5 meters).
- Diplodocus weighed about 11 tons.
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Diplodocus Books
Here are some books from Amazon.com:
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By Sally Ann Lee
Capstone Press
Released: July 1st, 2014
Paperback (32 pages)
 | Lowest New Price: $6.95*
In Stock.*
*(As of 02:21 Pacific 7 Apr 2020 More Info)
Click Here | Description:
Diplodocus (Little Paleontologist)- Manufacturer: Capstone Press
- ISBN: 1491408219
- EAN: 9781491408216
- PartNumber: illustrations
Details:- Paperback
- Number of Pages: 32
- Author: Sally Ann Lee
- Publication Date: July 1st, 2014
- Release Date: July 1st, 2014
Physical Description:- Size: 8.75196849501 Inches by 7.75196849603 Inches by 0.12598425184 Inches
- Weight: 0.2 Pounds
Click here for more information |
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By Rex Stone
Scholastic Paperbacks
Released: February 1st, 2010
Mass Market Paperback (80 pages)
 | Lowest Used Price: $8.53*
In stock. Usually ships within 3 to 4 days.*
*(As of 02:21 Pacific 7 Apr 2020 More Info)
Click Here | Description:
Tracking the Diplodocus (Dinosaur Cove #9)- Manufacturer: Scholastic Paperbacks
- Brand: Scholastic Paperbacks
- ISBN: 0545112478
- EAN: 9780545112475
- PartNumber: FBA-|279569
Details:- Product Category: Mass Market Paperback
- Number of Pages: 80
- Author: Rex Stone
- Publication Date: February 1st, 2010
- Release Date: February 1st, 2010
Physical Description:- Size: 7.75 Inches by 5.25 Inches by 0.25 Inches
- Weight: 0.4 Pounds
Click here for more information |
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By Daniel Nunn
Heinemann
Released: July 1st, 2014
Paperback (24 pages)
 | Lowest New Price: $5.99*
In Stock.*
*(As of 02:21 Pacific 7 Apr 2020 More Info)
Click Here | Description:
Diplodocus (All About Dinosaurs)- Manufacturer: Heinemann
- ISBN: 1484602110
- EAN: 9781484602119
- PartNumber: colour illustrations, maps
Details:- Paperback
- Number of Pages: 24
- Author: Daniel Nunn
- Publication Date: July 1st, 2014
- Release Date: July 1st, 2014
Physical Description:- Size: 6.8110236151 Inches by 7.99999999184 Inches by 0.12598425184 Inches
- Weight: 0.16 Pounds
Click here for more information |
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By Rob Shone
Powerkids Pr
Released: September 1st, 2008
Library Binding (32 pages)
 | Lowest New Price: $28.50*
Temporarily out of stock. Order now and we'll deliver when available. We'll e-mail you with an estimated delivery date as soon as we have more information. Your account will only be charged when we ship the item.*
*(As of 02:21 Pacific 7 Apr 2020 More Info)
Click Here | Description:
Diplodocus: The Whip-Tailed Dinosaur (Graphic Dinosaurs)- Manufacturer: Powerkids Pr
- ISBN: 1435825047
- EAN: 9781435825048
Details:- Product Category: Library Binding
- Edition: Gph
- Number of Pages: 32
- Author: Rob Shone
- Publication Date: September 1st, 2008
- Release Date: September 1st, 2008
Physical Description:- Size: 11.0 Inches by 9.0 Inches by 0.4 Inches
- Weight: 0.97 Pounds
Click here for more information |
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By Professor Peter Dodson
Brand: Enslow Elementary
Released: December 1st, 2010
Library Binding (24 pages)
 | Lowest New Price: $28.50*
Temporarily out of stock. Order now and we'll deliver when available. We'll e-mail you with an estimated delivery date as soon as we have more information. Your account will only be charged when we ship the item.*
*(As of 02:21 Pacific 7 Apr 2020 More Info)
Click Here | Description:
Diplodocus Up Close (Zoom in on Dinosaurs!)- Manufacturer: Enslow Elementary
- Brand: Brand: Enslow Elementary
- ISBN: 0766033333
- EAN: 9780766033337
Details:- Product Category: Library Binding
- Number of Pages: 24
- Author: Professor Peter Dodson
- Publication Date: December 1st, 2010
- Release Date: December 1st, 2010
Physical Description:- Size: 9.25 Inches by 7.75 Inches by 0.5 Inches
- Weight: 0.48 Pounds
Features:- Used Book in Good Condition
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By Jeanne Willis
Pan Macmillan
Released: July 13th, 2017
Board book
 | Lowest New Price: $10.88*
In Stock.*
*(As of 02:21 Pacific 7 Apr 2020 More Info)
Click Here | Description:
Dinosaur Munch The Diplodocus- Manufacturer: Macmillan
- Brand: Pan Macmillan
- ISBNs: 9781509835652, 1509835652
- EAN: 9781509835652
- PartNumber: 9781509835652
Details:- Product Category: Board book
- Edition: Main Market Ed.
- Author: Jeanne Willis
- Publication Date: July 13th, 2017
- Release Date: July 13th, 2017
Physical Description:- Size: 6.02361 Inches by 7.32282 Inches by 0.70866 Inches
- Weight: 0.70768386102 Pounds
Click here for more information |
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By Ilja Nieuwland
University of Pittsburgh Press
Released: September 22nd, 2020
Paperback (360 pages)
| Lowest New Price: $22.00*
This title has not yet been released. You may pre-order it now and we will deliver it to you when it arrives.*
*(As of 02:21 Pacific 7 Apr 2020 More Info)
Click Here | Description:
American Dinosaur Abroad: A Cultural History of Carnegie's Plaster Diplodocus- Manufacturer: University of Pittsburgh Press
- Brand: University of Pittsburgh Press
- ISBN: 0822966522
- EAN: 9780822966524
Details:- Paperback
- Edition: 1
- Number of Pages: 360
- Author: Ilja Nieuwland
- Publication Date: September 22nd, 2020
- Release Date: September 22nd, 2020
Click here for more information |
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