Fun Dicraeosaurus Facts For Kids

The Tendaguru Formation (named after Tendaguru Hill) in Tanzania is no less than a depository of prehistoric life. The available fossil remains of several dinosaur species, such as the Dicraeosaurus, abound in the rocks of this hill. Dicraeosaurus fossils were first discovered in 1914 by Werner Janensch, who came up with the nomenclature and, for the first time, described these dinosaurs. Read on to learn more!

How do you pronounce 'Dicraeosaurus'?

The noun 'Dicraeosaurus' packs five syllables together, which sound like 'Die-kray-oh-sore-us'.

What type of dinosaur was a Dicraeosaurus?

Dicraeosaurus, belonging to the family Dicraeosauridae, is an extinct genus of herbivorous diplodocoid sauropod dinosaurs.

In which geological period did the Dicraeosaurus roam the Earth?

It is estimated that the Dicraeosaurus inhabited the Earth during the Late Jurassic period.

When did the Dicraeosaurus become Extinct?

It is unknown exactly when their extinction spiraled but it is said that they went Extinct somewhere around 145 million years ago.

Where did Dicraeosaurus live?

The first fossils recovered in 1914 were from the rocks of Tendaguru Formation in Tanzania.

What was the Dicraeosaurus' habitat?

These animals lived in a terrestrial habitat with plenty vegetation.

Who did the Dicraeosaurus live with?

These creatures probably lived in packs.

How long did a Dicraeosaurus live?

There are no assumptions regarding the lifespan of Dicraeosaurus.

How did they reproduce?

It is known that dinosaurs (including Dicraeosaurus) were oviparous and reproduced by laying eggs.

What did the Dicraeosaurus look like?

The Dicraeosaurus fossils holotype measured, unlike a typical diplodocoid, with a comparatively large head and a short and wide neck. The species was characterized by two distinguishing features: one being the tall neural spines at the rear of the neck that earned the sauropod its genus name and the other being the lack of the whiplash tail tip, which was typical of diplodocoid sauropods. As to why the spines were configured in such a way is unknown. However, it is estimated that the Y-shaped spines acted as muscle attachment points or perhaps as a form of defense mechanism.

How many bones did a Dicraeosaurus have?

Other than the fact that the Dicraeosaurus neck contained 12 short vertebrae, the skeletal composition of these animals cannot be concluded accurately.

How did they communicate?

The pattern of communication is not known at all due to a lack of specified research on the subject.

How big was the Dicraeosaurus?

Dicraeosaurus, which is estimated to have measured 39 ft (12 m) in length and stood 9.8 ft (3 m) tall from ground level, was, in fact, a mid-sized sauropod. However, it was larger than Amargasaurus, another member of the Dicraeosauridae family whose remains were discovered in the sedimentary rocks of the La Amarga Formation in Argentina.

How fast could a Dicraeosaurus move?

It has been speculated that with the weight of pillar-like legs, these creatures couldn't have been super fast.

How much did a Dicraeosaurus weigh?

Its weight is estimated to have been nearly 8.8 ton (8,000 kg).

What were the male and female names of the species?

Since no separate names have been assigned to the male and female counterparts; they can simply be called male and female Dicraeosaurus.

What would you call a baby Dicraeosaurus?

Dinosaurs were oviparous. Therefore, a baby Dicraeosaurus would likely be called a hatchling.

How aggressive were they?

It is not known, but considering the fact Dicraeosaurus were herbivorous, and the excavation site yielded no signs related to a fight for vegetation, it can be claimed that they were docile in nature.