Sauropods are among the most famous and recognisable dinosaurs: long-necked, long-tailed giants that include Diplodocus and Brachiosaurus. Early sauropods were bipedal and quite small compared to their later descendants which became the heaviest and longest dinosaurs. It requires a four-legged stance to get to truly giant size, as you need to spread your weight. Like elephants today, the largest sauropods could only move at a walk as their leg bones couldn't withstand the impact of trotting or galloping gaits. However, just because they were restricted to walking didn't mean they couldn't put on a turn of speed: their top walking speed has been estimated at between 20 and 35 km/h.
Scientific name: Sauropodomorpha
Rank: Suborder
0 comments:
Post a Comment