Camarasaurus is an extinct genus of sauropod dinosaur that lived in Utah during the Late Jurassic period. It appears in many series including the Jurassic Park franchise. It has been known to have a distinctive cranial profile blunt snout and arched skull.
Description[]
Habitat[]
Camarasaurus is known to have inhabited Utah during the Late Jurassic epoch, implying it preferred habitats near rivers lakes and floodplains where lush vegetation provided ample food. The climate during its time was generally warm and humid supporting thick forests and abundant plant life. These environmental conditions allowed Camarasaurus to thrive as a herbivore feeding on a variety of plants.
Camarasaurus have been discovered in nearly every significant locality, showcasing one of the widest distributions among Morrison dinosaurs, with remains located from New Mexico to Montana and from Utah to Oklahoma. The environment in which it thrived is characterized as semiarid, featuring distinct wet and dry seasons.
Dinosaur and trace fossils of this dinosaur were particularly abundant in the Morrison Basin, which extends from New Mexico to Alberta and Saskatchewan. This basin was formed as the precursors to the Front Range of the Rocky Mountains began to uplift to the west. Eroded materials from the east-facing drainage basins were transported by streams and rivers.
Appearance and Behavior[]
Camarasaurus was a large dinosaur known for its unique physical appearance. It had a long neck that helped it reach high vegetation making it an effective herbivore. Its body was massive and bulky supported by strong legs which allowed it to stand tall. Camarasaurus also had a relatively short tail compared to other long-necked dinosaurs and a broad flat head with large nostrils. Overall its distinct features made it easily recognizable among the sauropods of its time.
Physiology and Abilities[]
- The Camarasaurus may have masticated food in its mouth to some degree before swallowing. Other findings indicate that Camarasaurus spp. preferred vegetation different from other sauropods.
- High metabolism: Camarasaurus grew in size quickly to limit the time it would be vulnerable to predation. This would imply it had a relatively high metabolic rate as a juvenile.
Pop Culture[]
- A fossil skeleton is seen in T-Rex: Back to the Cretaceous.
- A version of the dinosaur appears in the Jurassic Park video games Jurassic Park: Operation Genesis and Jurassic World Evolution.
- In Dinosaur Train, Camarasaurus was only seen as a render during Scott Samson's lesson.
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