Apatosaurus: The Hilariously Big Lizard

The Apatosaurus, also known as the Brontosaurus, is a genus of dinosaur that roamed the earth during the Late Jurassic period, approximately 152-151 million years ago. They were truly massive creatures, with some individuals measuring up to 75 feet long and weighing in at a whopping 25-38 metric tons.

Despite their intimidating size, the Apatosaurus were herbivores, munching on plants like ferns and conifers. They were often depicted as gentle giants in popular culture, but we all know what happens when a clumsy, gigantic herbivore gets too close to a banana peel. It’s basically the dinosaur version of Bambi on ice.

One of the most distinctive features of the Apatosaurus was its incredibly long neck. And we don’t mean just long, we mean ridiculously long. These guys could reach up to four times their own body length with their necks alone, which is basically like having a built-in selfie stick. They used their lengthy necks to reach high branches and leaves, but it probably came in handy for eavesdropping on conversations from a safe distance as well.

Perhaps the most hilarious thing about the Apatosaurus is its name. The Apatosaurus was originally named the Brontosaurus, but it turns out that was all a mistake. In the late 1800s, paleontologist Othniel Charles Marsh discovered two different dinosaur skeletons that he believed were two different species. He named one Apatosaurus and the other Brontosaurus.

But then, in the 1970s, scientists realized that the two skeletons were in fact just different stages of development of the same dinosaur species. So, the Brontosaurus we all knew and loved was actually just an Apatosaurus in disguise. It’s like finding out that Batman and Bruce Wayne are the same person. Mind blown.

In conclusion, the Apatosaurus may have been a giant, lumbering, herbivorous lizard, but it brought joy to paleontologists and schoolchildren alike with its silly name and lanky neck. And for that, we salute you, Apatosaurus. May your legacy of awkwardly reaching for high branches live on.