# Plateosaurus (*Plateosaurus engelhardti*)

Plateosaurus 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
- **Also known as:** Plateosaurus engelhardti

![Plateosaurus](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Plateosaurus_SMNS_F33.jpg&width=800)

Photo: FunkMonk, CC BY-SA 3.0 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Plateosaurus_SMNS_F33.jpg)

## Appearance

The Plateosaurus is a robust, long-necked dinosaur, typically depicted with mottled green or brown scales for camouflage. It has a relatively small head compared to its large body and powerful hind legs, often standing on two legs.

## Taxonomy

- **Kingdom:** Animalia

## Interesting facts

- Baby Plateosaurus grew incredibly fast, reaching massive sizes in just a few years!
- It was one of the first very large dinosaurs ever discovered in Europe!
- Its name means 'flat lizard,' even though it was a robust, not flat, dinosaur!
- Plateosaurus was a giant plant-eater before many other famous dinosaurs appeared.

## Special abilities

- **Leaf Feeder Reach:** Plateosaurus can stretch its long neck to browse high branches because it has a flexible neck.
- **Strong Grippers:** Plateosaurus has strong thumb claws that help it grasp plants or defend itself.
- **Posture Shifter:** Plateosaurus can walk on two or four legs, helping it move efficiently and browse various plant levels.

## Measurements & details

- **Length:** 5-10 m
- **Weight:** 600-4000 kg
- **Era:** Late Triassic Period
- **Extinct Millions Years Ago:** 204

## Diet & Feeding

Plateosaurus munched on plants like ferns, cycads, and conifers, using its small teeth to strip leaves.

- **Primary Foods:** Ferns, Cycads, Conifers
- **Foraging Method:** Grazing

## Ecological connections

- **Eaten by:** Liliensternus (*Liliensternus liliensterni*) — A large theropod dinosaur that hunted large herbivores.
- **Eaten by:** Teratosaurus (*Teratosaurus suevicus*) — A massive archosaur predator from the Late Triassic.
- **Eaten by:** Saltoposuchus (*Saltoposuchus connectens*) — A fast, crocodile-like archosaur, possibly preying on juveniles.

## Traits

- [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.
- [Armored](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/armored): Armored describes animals protected by a hard, external covering or shell for defense.
- [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.
- [Giant](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/giant): Giant describes organisms or objects of significantly larger size than average for their species or type.

## 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 Plateosaurus?

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 Plateosaurus?

5-10 m

### How much does Plateosaurus weigh?

600-4000 kg

### What does Plateosaurus eat?

Plateosaurus munched on plants like ferns, cycads, and conifers, using its small teeth to strip leaves.

### Where is Plateosaurus usually found?

Mesozoic forests and floodplains

### How does Plateosaurus hunt?

Grazing

### What geologic era did Plateosaurus live in?

Late Triassic Period

### When did Plateosaurus go extinct?

204

## 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: [Plateosaurus: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/plateosaurus)