Camarasaurus
Pronunciation:
Kah-mah-rah-sore-us
Name Meaning:
“Chambered lizard,” referring to the hollow chambers in its vertebrae.
Dinosaur Classification:
- Kingdom: Animalia
- Phylum: Chordata
- Class: Reptilia
- Order: Saurischia
- Suborder: Sauropodomorpha
- Family: Camarasauridae
- Genus: Camarasaurus
- Species: C. supremus, C. grandis, C. lentus
Dinosaur Description:
Camarasaurus was a large, quadrupedal sauropod dinosaur that roamed North America during the Late Jurassic period, around 155 to 145 million years ago. It was one of the most common sauropods of its time, easily identified by its boxy, blunt head and the chambered (hollow) vertebrae that gave it its name. The neck of Camarasaurus was relatively short for a sauropod, but it was still quite long compared to most other dinosaurs.
Camarasaurus had sturdy, column-like legs that supported its massive weight. Its long tail, characteristic of sauropods, likely helped it balance the heavy front of its body. While not as gigantic as its relatives like Brachiosaurus or Diplodocus, Camarasaurus still reached impressive lengths of 50 to 60 feet (15 to 18 meters).
Unlike other sauropods with elongated and slender teeth, Camarasaurus had spoon-shaped teeth. This suggests that it fed on coarser vegetation, like cycads, conifers, and ferns, grinding tough plant material more efficiently than some of its relatives. Paleontologists believe it was a high browser, using its long neck to reach vegetation that grew at mid-levels in forests. In addition, evidence shows that Camarasaurus may have been capable of rearing up on its hind legs, much like its larger cousin Brachiosaurus, to access even higher vegetation.
The relatively hollow nature of its bones, especially in the vertebrae, made its skeleton lighter and easier to support despite its enormous size. This was an important adaptation for these massive creatures, allowing them to grow larger without becoming too heavy for their own legs to support. The chambers in its vertebrae were filled with air sacs connected to its respiratory system, an adaptation that helped in breathing and likely contributed to keeping the body cool.
Camarasaurus had a fairly wide distribution across the western United States, with numerous fossils found in regions like Utah, Colorado, and Wyoming. Its skeletons are often discovered in a well-preserved state, providing a wealth of information to paleontologists about sauropod anatomy and behavior.
Dinosaur Diet and Behavior:
Camarasaurus was an herbivore, feeding on a wide variety of plants, including cycads, conifers, and ferns. Its spoon-shaped teeth were designed for tearing and grinding plant matter, suggesting it was a selective feeder that could process tough, fibrous vegetation. It likely spent most of its time browsing mid- to high-level vegetation. Given its size and weight, it had few natural predators, though juveniles might have been at risk from large theropods like Allosaurus.
Dinosaur Size:
Camarasaurus typically grew to a length of 50 to 60 feet (15 to 18 meters), though some specimens suggest it may have reached even greater lengths.
Dinosaur Weight:
Camarasaurus is estimated to have weighed around 20 to 30 tons (40,000 to 60,000 lbs).
Fossil Discoveries:
Camarasaurus fossils are among the most common sauropod finds in the Morrison Formation, a geological formation spread across the western United States. The first fossils of Camarasaurus were discovered in 1877 during the infamous “Bone Wars” between rival paleontologists Othniel Charles Marsh and Edward Drinker Cope. Since then, many well-preserved skeletons have been found, providing invaluable insights into its anatomy and lifestyle.
What Period Did The Dinosaur Live:
Camarasaurus lived during the Late Jurassic period, around 155 to 145 million years ago.
Notable Facts or Trivia:
– Camarasaurus had spoon-shaped teeth, which were different from the pencil-like teeth of most other sauropods.
– It had hollow vertebrae with air sacs connected to its respiratory system, which made its massive skeleton lighter.
– Its fossils are some of the most complete sauropod remains discovered in North America, making it a key species in sauropod research.
– Camarasaurus could rear up on its hind legs, allowing it to reach higher vegetation, though this behavior is still debated by some paleontologists.
Scientific Significance:
Camarasaurus holds a significant place in the study of sauropods due to its well-preserved and numerous fossil discoveries. Its hollow vertebrae and robust skeletal structure have provided critical insights into sauropod anatomy and adaptations for gigantism. The presence of air sacs in its vertebrae also contributed to a deeper understanding of how these massive creatures managed respiration and body temperature regulation, giving paleontologists a glimpse into the evolutionary strategies that allowed such large animals to thrive.
Extinction & Legacy:
Camarasaurus, like most non-avian dinosaurs, went extinct by the end of the Cretaceous period, about 66 million years ago, likely due to the mass extinction event that wiped out the dinosaurs. Its well-preserved fossils, however, continue to educate and fascinate scientists and the public alike, serving as a key representative of the sauropods that once roamed North America. The discovery of Camarasaurus has not only contributed to our understanding of Jurassic ecosystems but has also shed light on the remarkable diversity and adaptability of dinosaurs.