Dicraeosaurus facts for kids
Dicraeosaurus was a fascinating type of dinosaur that lived a very long time ago. It was a kind of sauropod, which means it was a plant-eating dinosaur with a long neck and tail. But Dicraeosaurus was special because it had some unique features that made it different from its relatives.
Quick facts for kids DicraeosaurusTemporal range: Upper Jurassic
155–150 mya |
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Dicraeosauridae
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Dicraeosaurus
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Contents
What Was Dicraeosaurus?
Dicraeosaurus was a medium-sized sauropod dinosaur. It was named for the special spines on the back of its neck. Most sauropods had very long necks and tails. They also had thin bodies and limbs, with small heads and tiny brains.
Unique Features
Dicraeosaurus was different from many other sauropods. It had a shorter tail and a larger head. Its most noticeable feature was the long, tall spines along its neck and back. These spines gave it a unique look.
Sauropods like Dicraeosaurus had special bones. Their backbone (vertebrae) was like a strong, light framework. This design helped to reduce their weight. It also made their bones very strong to handle stress. This is why they were lighter than huge dinosaurs like brachiosaurs.
Where Did Dicraeosaurus Live?
Fossils of Dicraeosaurus have been found in Tanzania, a country in Africa. These fossils were discovered in rocks at a place called Tendaguru Hill. This area is famous for its dinosaur discoveries.
Dinosaur Neighbors
Other dinosaur fossils were found in the same rocks. These included the giant Giraffatitan and the spiky Kentrosaurus. These dinosaurs lived at the same time as Dicraeosaurus.
Since these dinosaurs were very different in size, they likely ate plants at different heights. Giraffatitan could reach high branches. Dicraeosaurus might have eaten mid-level plants. Kentrosaurus probably ate plants closer to the ground. This allowed them to share the same habitat without competing too much for food.
When Was It Discovered?
The very first fossil of Dicraeosaurus was found in 1914. Scientists have been studying these amazing dinosaurs ever since.
Images for kids
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Restoration of D. hansemanni
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Restoration of the head
See also
In Spanish: Dicraeosaurus para niños
