Brontosaurus

Brontosaurus skeleton 1880s

Annual report of the American Museum of Natural History for the year (1901) (18426246345)

Brontosaurus infographic

Yale Peabody Apatosaurus skull sculpt

The dinosaurs of North America (7368691314)

Brontosaurus is a genus of large dinosaur that lived in North America during the Late Jurassic period, approximately 156 to 146 million years ago. The name Brontosaurus means "thunder lizard", derived from the Greek words brontē meaning 'thunder' and sauros meaning 'lizard'. It is one of the most iconic dinosaurs, often featured in popular culture and media.

Description

Brontosaurus was a massive, long-necked Sauropod with a long, whip-like tail and four thick, pillar-like legs. It is estimated to have reached lengths of about 22 meters (72 feet) and weighed up to 15 tons. The body of Brontosaurus was bulky, and its neck was long and flexible, allowing it to reach vegetation high above the ground. Its tail could have been used as a defensive weapon against predators.

Discovery and Classification

The first fossils of Brontosaurus were discovered in the 1870s by famous paleontologists Othniel Charles Marsh during the Bone Wars, a period of intense and competitive fossil hunting. Initially, Brontosaurus was classified in the family Diplodocidae, which includes other long-necked dinosaurs. However, its classification has been subject to controversy and revision over the years.

In the early 20th century, some scientists argued that Brontosaurus was not distinct enough from Apatosaurus to warrant its own genus, leading to the name Brontosaurus being considered invalid for many years. However, more recent studies, including a comprehensive review published in 2015, have supported the distinction of Brontosaurus as a separate genus from Apatosaurus, based on differences in the bones of the neck, hip, and other areas.

Paleobiology

Brontosaurus, like other sauropods, was a herbivore that likely fed on a variety of plants, including ferns, conifers, and possibly flowering plants. Its long neck would have allowed it to reach a wide range of vegetation, from ground level up to about 4 meters (13 feet) in height. The teeth of Brontosaurus were chisel-like, adapted for stripping leaves off branches rather than chewing.

The social behavior of Brontosaurus is not well understood, but it may have lived in groups or herds. Footprint fossils suggest that sauropods, including Brontosaurus, traveled in groups and may have had social structures.

In Popular Culture

Brontosaurus has been a staple of dinosaur representation in popular culture since the late 19th century. It has appeared in films, television shows, books, and as a part of toy collections. Despite historical controversies over its classification, Brontosaurus remains one of the most recognizable and beloved dinosaurs.

See Also

• Sauropod
• Jurassic Period
• Dinosaur
• Othniel Charles Marsh
• Apatosaurus