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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 16:42 Pacific 22 Sep 2023 More Info)
Click Here | Description:
Diplodocus (Little Paleontologist)- Manufacturer: Capstone Press
- Brand: 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 Rebecca Sabelko
Bellwether Media Inc.
Released: August 1st, 2019
Paperback (32 pages)
 | Lowest New Price: $7.99*
In Stock*
*(As of 16:42 Pacific 22 Sep 2023 More Info)
Click Here | Description:
Diplodocus (The World of Dinosaurs) (Epic: The World of Dinosaurs)- Manufacturer: Bellwether Media
- Brand: Bellwether Media Inc.
- ISBN: 1618917285
- EAN: 9781618917287
Details:- Paperback
- Format: Illustrated
- Edition: Illustrated
- Number of Pages: 32
- Author: Rebecca Sabelko
- Publication Date: August 1st, 2019
- Release Date: August 1st, 2019
Physical Description:- Size: 8.75 inches by 7.25 inches by 0.25 inches
- Weight: 0.2 pounds
Click here for more information |
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By Daniel Nunn
Heinemann Educational Books
Released: July 1st, 2014
Paperback (24 pages)
 | Lowest New Price: $5.99*
In Stock*
*(As of 16:42 Pacific 22 Sep 2023 More Info)
Click Here | Description:
Diplodocus (All About Dinosaurs)- Manufacturer: Heinemann
- Brand: Heinemann Educational Books
- ISBN: 1484602110
- EAN: 9781484602119
- PartNumber: colour illustrations, maps
Details:- Paperback
- Format: Illustrated
- Edition: Illustrated
- 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 Press
Released: July 30th, 2008
Library Binding (32 pages)
 | List Price: $30.27*
Lowest New Price: $12.97*
In Stock*
*(As of 16:42 Pacific 22 Sep 2023 More Info)
Click Here | Description:
Diplodocus: The Whip-Tailed Dinosaur (Graphic Dinosaurs)- Manufacturer: Powerkids Pr
- Brand: PowerKids Press
- ISBN: 1435825047
- EAN: 9781435825048
Details:- Product Category: Library Binding
- Edition: Gph
- Number of Pages: 32
- Author: Rob Shone
- Publication Date: July 30th, 2008
- Release Date: July 30th, 2008
Physical Description:- Size: 11.25 inches by 9.25 inches by 0.5 inches
- Weight: 0.97 pounds
Click here for more information |
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By Josh Gregory
Cherry Lake Publishing
Released: August 1st, 2013
Library Binding (24 pages)
 | List Price: $29.21*
Lowest Used Price: $5.97*
In Stock*
*(As of 16:42 Pacific 22 Sep 2023 More Info)
Click Here | Description:
Diplodocus (21st Century Junior Library: Dinosaurs and Prehistoric Creat)- Manufacturer: Cherry Lake Publishing
- Brand: Cherry Lake Publishing
- ISBN: 1624311652
- EAN: 9781624311659
Details:- Product Category: Library Binding
- Number of Pages: 24
- Author: Josh Gregory
- Publication Date: August 1st, 2013
- Release Date: August 1st, 2013
Physical Description:- Size: 8.1 inches by 8.3 inches by 0.4 inches
- Weight: 0.5 pounds
Click here for more information |
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By Ilja Nieuwland
University of Pittsburgh Press
Released: April 30th, 2019
Hardcover (360 pages)
 | List Price: $40.00*
Lowest New Price: $32.00*
In Stock*
*(As of 16:42 Pacific 22 Sep 2023 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: 0822945576
- EAN: 9780822945574
Details:- Hardcover
- Edition: 1
- Number of Pages: 360
- Author: Ilja Nieuwland
- Publication Date: April 30th, 2019
- Release Date: April 30th, 2019
Physical Description:- Size: 9.0 inches by 6.0 inches by 1.5 inches
- Weight: 1.4 pounds
Click here for more information |
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Brand: Little Simon
Released: August 1st, 2001
Board book (10 pages)
 | Lowest Used Price: $9.98*
In Stock*
*(As of 16:42 Pacific 22 Sep 2023 More Info)
Click Here | Description:
Diplodocus- Manufacturer: Little Simon
- Brand: Brand: Little Simon
- ISBN: 0689844794
- EAN: 9780689844799
Details:- Product Category: Board book
- Edition: Brdbk
- Number of Pages: 10
- Publication Date: August 1st, 2001
- Release Date: August 1st, 2001
Physical Description:- Size: 8.5 inches by 11.0 inches by 0.25 inches
Features:- Used Book in Good Condition
Click here for more information |
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By Allan Dipalma
Independently published
Released: September 13th, 2020
Paperback (138 pages)
 | Lowest New Price: $19.95*
In Stock*
*(As of 16:42 Pacific 22 Sep 2023 More Info)
Click Here | Description:
Allosaurus & Diplodocus- Manufacturer: Independently published
- EAN: 9798682566525
Details:- Paperback
- Number of Pages: 138
- Author: Allan Dipalma
- Publication Date: September 13th, 2020
- Release Date: September 13th, 2020
Physical Description:- Size: 6.87 inches by 4.25 inches by 0.33 inches
Click here for more information |
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By Ron Wilson
Brand: Rourke Pub Group
Library Binding (23 pages)
 | List Price: $15.93*
Lowest Used Price: $3.95*
In Stock*
*(As of 16:42 Pacific 22 Sep 2023 More Info)
Click Here | Description:
Diplodocus (Dinosaur Lib Series)- Manufacturer: Rourke Pub Group
- Brand: Brand: Rourke Pub Group
- ISBN: 0865922020
- EAN: 9780865922020
Details:- Product Category: Library Binding
- Edition: Reissue
- Number of Pages: 23
- Author: Ron Wilson
Physical Description:- Size: 10.5 inches by 7.75 inches by 0.25 inches
- Weight: 0.65 pounds
Features:- Used Book in Good Condition
Click here for more information |
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