The Long-Necked Giant
Barosaurus was an impressive sauropod dinosaur that lived during the Late Jurassic period, around 150 million years ago.
| Meaning | Heavy lizard [Barosaurus] |
| Pronunciation | BAR-oh-sore-us |
| When: | Late Jurassic (about 155–150 million years ago) |
| Where: | North America (USA, South Dakota) |
| What: | Sauropod (herbivorous) |
| Weight: | Estimated around 20 metric tons |
| Length: | Approximately 26 meters (85 feet) |
| Diet: | Herbivorous (ate high vegetation) |
| Discovered: | First described by Othniel Charles Marsh in 1890 |
Known for its extraordinarily long neck, Barosaurus could reach up to 27 meters (89 feet) in length.
This long-necked giant roamed the prehistoric landscapes of North America, where its fossils have been found in places like the Morrison Formation.
Barosaurus belonged to the same family as other famous sauropods like Diplodocus and Apatosaurus. It had a long tail, sturdy legs, and a small head at the end of its lengthy neck.
This dinosaur used its neck to reach high into trees to feed on leaves, helping it avoid competition for food with other herbivores that fed closer to the ground.
Despite its massive size, Barosaurus likely faced threats from large predators like Allosaurus.
However, its size and possibly social behavior, such as moving in herds, would have provided some protection.