Name:
Massospondylus (Greek for "large vertebrae"); pronounced MASS-oh-SPON-dill-us
Habitat:
Plains of South Africa
Historical Period:
Early Jurassic (208-200 million years ago)
Size and Weight:
About 13 feet long and 300 pounds
Diet:
Plants
Distinguishing Characteristics:
Large, five-fingered hands; long neck and tail
About Massospondylus:
Massospondylus is a good example of the class of dinosaurs called prosauropods--small-to-medium sized, small-brained herbivores of the Jurassic period that later (presumably) evolved into towering sauropods like Barosaurus and Brachiosaurus.
This plant-eater--which paleontologists believe reached stampede-sized numbers in ancient South Africa--is also a case study in changing views of dinosaur behavior. For decades, it was widely believed that Massospondylus walked on all fours, occasionally rearing up on its hind legs to reach vegetation. In the last few years, though, convincing evidence has come to light that this dinosaur was probably bipedal, and faster (and more agile) than was previously thought.
