Plateosaurus

Plateosaurus ^[2] ( Latin Plateosaurus , literally - a flat lizard) is the largest of the known Triassic dinosaurs . Its length reached 6-12 m, weight - up to 4 tons. Like all sauropodomorphs , the plateosaurus belongs to the lizards . First described by German paleontologist German von Mayer , who came up with his name, in 1837 .

† Plateosaurus
An approximate view of plateosaurs
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animals Type of: Chordate Grade: Reptiles Squadron: Dinosaurs Squad: Lizopharyngeal Suborder: Sauropodomorphs Family: Plateosauridae Gender: Plateosaurus
Latin name
Plateosaurus Meyer , 1837
Views [1]
Plateosaurus engelhardti Meyer, 1837 Plateosaurus gracilis Huene, 1905 Plateosaurus ingens Rütimeyer, 1856 Plateosaurus longiceps Jaekel, 1913

Being a herbivore, the plateosaurus had a long neck and a squat pear-shaped body. The skull is small and narrow compared to the size of the body. The teeth are lanceolate (in the upper jaw more than 30, in the lower - less than 30). The muzzle is elongated, eyes are directed to the sides, and not forward, which improves visibility and allows predators to be noticed in advance. The forelimbs were shorter than the hind limbs and fingers clearly stood out on them. This indicates that they were adapted for grabbing, that is, they could be used for grabbing food.

One of the first massive herbivorous dinosaurs, the plateosaurus is well known to paleontologists in many skeletons. Its fossils are found in different countries of Europe, including France, Switzerland and Germany. A long body, a powerful pelvis and a muscular heavy tail, apparently, speak of the ability to stand on hind legs, while leaning on the tail like a kangaroo. Such a pose made it possible to reach the crowns of tree ferns and other plants at a height of up to 5 m.

The natural habitat of plateosaurs is the desert territories of Europe . Its fossils are most typical in Europe, where more than 50 habitats have been found.