Apatosaurus (Brontosaurus)

This dinosaur is widely known as Brontosaurus (meaning "thunder lizard"), however the correct scientific name is Apatosaurus (meaning "deceptive lizard"). This is because when Othniel C. Marsh discovered the first two fossils in 1877 and 1879, he did not at first realize that they were adult and juvenile examples of the same species, and hence gave the two fossils different names. Subsequently, it has been realized, that both of these fossils were after all from the same species, so only one name should be used: Apatosaurus is the correct name, because it is was the first name used.

Apatosaurus was a massive herbivore (plant-eater) that lived during the late Jurassic period 157 to 146 million years ago in western North America. An adult Apatosaurus measured 70 feet (21.3 metres) long, and weighed a massive 33 tons.

When it was first discovered, many scientists believed that Apatosaurus was so huge that it could not have supported its weight on dry land, and therefore must have lived partially submerged in water. If you look at older books about dinosaurs, you may often see Apatosaurus depicted in this way. More recent research and discoveries (including the discovery of fossilized footprints), however suggests that Apatosaurus probably did live on dry land, and probably was a grazing animal that lived in herds.

Other interesting facts about Apatosaurus include:

- Apatosaurus was a close relative of Diplodocus. Apatosaurus was not as long as its relative, but it was more bulky.

- Apatosaurus could have reared up on its front legs and brought them down with crushing force on an attacker, or used its tail as a whip in defense.

By S. Tanna. Apatosaurus was first published at http://www.dinosaurjungle.com/dinosaur_species_apatosaurus.php - Visit this link for pictures, videos, books, posters, toys and a lot more information about dinosaurs!

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