Opisthocoelicaudia
Opisthocoelicaudia skarzynskii
Pronounced: o-Pisto-ko-Elih-Caw-deeuh
Diet: Herbivore (Plant-Eater)
Name Means: "Backward Cupped Tail"
Length: 38 feet (12 m)
Height: 16 feet (5 m)
Weight: 15 tons (14,000 kilos)
Time: Late Jurassic - 70 million years ago
Fossil remains for this Dinosaur have been found in Asia
Scientists have unearthed most of this big sauropod's skeleton, but they have not found its head and neck yet. This makes it very difficult to determine exactly how long it was or if it is even a new specimen. Opisthocoelicaudia got its name from the way its tailbones are shaped. It may have been possible for this dinosaur to have easily stood on its back legs and rest on its tail so it could reach high into the trees for its food.
Because the neck and head have not been found, there is debate as to which family that this creature belongs. There are definite similarities with Camarasaurus particularly with it short tail, but it has also been suggested it was more likely a member of the titanosaur family. If it was a camarasaur, it is strong evidence that sauropods other than titanosuars lived in the late Cretaceous. |
