Dicraeosaurus

†Dicraeosaurus ('forked lizard') is an extinct diplodocoid sauropod from the Late Jurassic Tendaguru Formation of Tanzania. Approximately 12–13 m long, this herbivore is distinguished by its tall bifurcated neural spines forming a low sail along the neck and back. Excavated during the German Tendaguru expeditions, it is one of the best-known African Jurassic sauropods.

Diet & Feeding

Herbivore

Dicraeosaurus was a plant-eating dinosaur. Herbivores typically fed on ferns, cycads, conifers, and other vegetation available during their era. Many herbivorous dinosaurs developed specialized teeth and digestive systems for processing tough plant material.

Time Period

Jurassic Late Mesozoic Era

Dicraeosaurus lived during the Jurassic Late period of the Mesozoic Era, approximately 161.5 to 145.0 million years ago.

One of the most iconic periods for dinosaurs. Giant sauropods like Brachiosaurus and Diplodocus roamed alongside predators like Allosaurus. Archaeopteryx, the earliest known bird, appeared. The Morrison Formation preserves an extraordinary fossil record from this time.