camarasaurus

• Camarasaurus was a giant sauropod
dinosaur that may have roamed in herds
(it seems to have been common) in
North America during the late Jurassic
period, between approximately 155
million and 145 million years ago. Like
other sauropod dinosaurs, it was a
herbivore.

• The first fossils of Camarasaurus were
found in Colorado in 1877 by Oramel W.
Lucas. Lucas then sold his fossils to
Edward D. Cope, who named the animal
(its name means "chambered lizard"

• Camarasaurus fossils have been found in groups
with both adult and young together. This suggests
that Camarasaurus travelled in herds and may have
cared for their young. Camarasaurus may have
hatched from eggs, like other sauropods. Sauropod
eggs have been found in a linear pattern and not in
nests; presumably the eggs were laid as the animal
was walking. It is thought that sauropods did not
take care of their eggs. Sauropods life spans may
have been in the order of 100 years.
•

• Camarasaurus had front and
hind legs of equal length,
making its back level with the
ground. Camarasaurus'' bones
were filled with chambers of
air, which is where it gets its
name.