Apatosaurus ajax

Paleo Profile: Apatosaurus ajax. This sturdy sauropod roamed the late Jurassic on its endless search for food. Anatomically it is noted as being a more robust sauropod than its cousins the diplodocids giving it a heavier appearance. It is believed that the apatosaurus used its long whip like tail for communication with members of its species cracking it as it swayed across the jurassic landscape.
Apatosaurus lives up to its name as the "deceptive lizard". Much confusion had occurred during its discovery. Once known as Brontosaurus, this animal's head was originally missing from the body and was assumed to look like that of a brachiosaurus or a camarasaurus. The misplacement of the other sauropod skulls on the apatosaurus body made it an incomplete, misidentified fossil. In 1909 the body of an Apatosaurus was found with its skull just meters away from the end of its neck allowing scientists to conclude the debate of what skull belonged on the apatosaurus skeleton. As a classic icon of the dinosaur world, Apatosaurus will continue to awe those who see it. Enjoy!