Brontosaurus
Brontosaurus
Brontosaurus describes the genus of some known species like: Brontosaurus parvus and Brontosaurus yahnahpin. This large, long-necked quadrupedal dinosaur existed during the Jurassic period. Its hind limbs were slightly longer than its forelimbs. Like other sauropods, the neck was deeply bifurcated (carrying paired spines for a wider and deeper neck). Sauropods such as the Brontosaurus were once thought of as being too larger to live completely on dry land, unable to support their own weight; however, recent findings do not support this.
What the Earth was like:
Every ecological niche was taken up with giant plant eating dinosaurs, the first birds and many aquatic organisms thriving. The Earth continent Pangea was also starting to split apart, creating more room for diversification and evolution.
Brontosaurus describes the genus of some known species like: Brontosaurus parvus and Brontosaurus yahnahpin. This large, long-necked quadrupedal dinosaur existed during the Jurassic period. Its hind limbs were slightly longer than its forelimbs. Like other sauropods, the neck was deeply bifurcated (carrying paired spines for a wider and deeper neck). Sauropods such as the Brontosaurus were once thought of as being too larger to live completely on dry land, unable to support their own weight; however, recent findings do not support this.
What the Earth was like:
Every ecological niche was taken up with giant plant eating dinosaurs, the first birds and many aquatic organisms thriving. The Earth continent Pangea was also starting to split apart, creating more room for diversification and evolution.
Interesting Facts:
The Brontosaurus is now called Apatosaurus. The Apatosaurus’ nostrils were at the top of its head. Pop culture has given us an image of a dinosaur with a very mobile neck; however, a recent study by J. Michael Parrish indicates that Apatosaurus had very limited neck mobility. Analysing the bone structure, the Apatosaurus’ neck would have locked up if it had raised its neck farther above its body height and therefore, its neck could only be raised about 9 to 12 feet. The blood pressure of the Apatosaurus was probably four times as much as a human’s normal blood pressure. This was because the dinosaur had to pump blood to its head – a very far extremity from the heart. Even with such a small sauropod brain, it still required a constant supply of oxygen. |