# Apatosaurus (*Apatosaurus ajax*)

Apatosaurus was a prehistoric dinosaur known for its distinctive features. Scientists study its bones to learn about how dinosaurs lived.

- **Category:** [Ancient](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/ancient)
- **Rarity:** Common
- **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low
- **Habitat:** Mesozoic forests and floodplains

![Apatosaurus](https://res.cloudinary.com/drieglelr/image/upload/v1771424345/objects/5759.jpg)

## Appearance

The Apatosaurus is a massive, long-necked, four-legged dinosaur with a whip-like tail and a robust body. Its skin was likely a mottled grey-green or brownish color, helping it blend into lush ancient forests. It's notably more heavily built than its slender relative, Diplodocus.

## Taxonomy

- **Kingdom:** Animalia

## Interesting facts

- Apatosaurus swallowed large stones to help grind up tough plants in its stomach!
- It was once famously known by a different name, 'Brontosaurus', before being correctly reclassified!
- Its brain was tiny, only the size of a walnut, despite its enormous body!
- This giant's powerful legs supported a body as heavy as four adult elephants combined!

## Special abilities

- **Whipcrack Tail:** Apatosaurus can use its incredibly long, muscular tail like a whip for defense or to communicate with its herd.
- **Towering Reach:** Apatosaurus has a very long neck that helps it reach high leaves and branches, giving access to food other dinosaurs can't.
- **Stomping Giant:** Apatosaurus has immense weight and massive feet that could deter predators and easily crush vegetation for food.

## Measurements & details

- **Length:** 21-23 m
- **Weight:** 16000-22000 kg
- **Era:** Jurassic Period
- **Extinct Millions Years Ago:** 145

## Diet & Feeding

Apatosaurus was a plant-eater that munched on tons of leaves, reaching high branches with its long neck!

- **Primary Foods:** ferns, cycads, conifers, ginkgos, horsetails
- **Foraging Method:** Foraging

## Ecological connections

- **Eaten by:** [Allosaurus](https://www.snappit.app/explore/allosaurus) (*Allosaurus fragilis*) — A major predator that hunted young or sick Apatosaurus.
- **Eats:** Monkey Puzzle Tree (*Araucaria mirabilis*) — A type of conifer tree that Apatosaurus would have browsed on.
- **Depends on:** [Stegosaurus](https://www.snappit.app/explore/stegosaurus) (*Stegosaurus armatus*) — Shared the same ancient floodplains and forest habitats.
- **Eats:** [Ginkgo](https://www.snappit.app/explore/ginkgo) (*Ginkgo adiantoides*) — A common plant species from the Jurassic period that Apatosaurus ate.

## Traits

- [Colorful](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/colorful): Colorful describes organisms or objects displaying a wide range of bright and distinct colors.
- [Ancient](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/ancient): Ancient refers to organisms, objects, or geological formations that have existed for an extremely long period.
- [Artifact](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/artifact): An artifact is an object made or modified by human culture, typically of historical or archaeological interest.
- [Fossil](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/fossil): A fossil is the preserved remains or traces of an ancient organism embedded in rock or other geological deposits.

## Collections

- [Ancient](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/ancient)

## Safety

**Danger:** 1/5 · Very low

While extremely dangerous in their time, this creature is now extinct.

## Frequently Asked Questions

### How to identify Apatosaurus?

Compare skull shape, horns, plates, limbs, posture and tail. Museum models and toys can mix features or follow outdated reconstructions. Dinosaur Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details.

### How long is Apatosaurus?

21-23 m

### How much does Apatosaurus weigh?

16000-22000 kg

### What does Apatosaurus eat?

Apatosaurus was a plant-eater that munched on tons of leaves, reaching high branches with its long neck!

### Where is Apatosaurus usually found?

Mesozoic forests and floodplains

### How does Apatosaurus hunt?

Foraging

### What geologic era did Apatosaurus live in?

Jurassic Period

### When did Apatosaurus go extinct?

145

## More Ancient

- [Tyrannosaurus rex](https://www.snappit.app/explore/tyrannosaurus-rex) (*Tyrannosaurus rex*)
- [Triceratops](https://www.snappit.app/explore/triceratops) (*Triceratops horridus*)
- [Stegosaurus](https://www.snappit.app/explore/stegosaurus) (*Stegosaurus stenops*)
- [Brachiosaurus](https://www.snappit.app/explore/brachiosaurus) (*Brachiosaurus altithorax*)

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Source: [Apatosaurus: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/apatosaurus)