Sauropodamorpha: The Biggest, Baddest and Most Majestic Creatures of the Mesozoic Era

Sauropodamorpha is a clade of long-necked, long-tailed, and big-bodied dinosaurs that roamed the earth during the late Triassic to the end of the Cretaceous period. The name Sauropodamorpha means “lizard-footed ancestors of the sauropods” and is aptly named because they were the ancestors of the mighty giant sauropods.

These magnificent creatures were famous for their sheer size and enormous body weight, with some species estimated to have weighed upwards of 100,000 pounds! That’s like having an entire herd of elephants strapped together with a few buses thrown in for good measure.

Sauropodamorpha were known for their elongated necks, which enabled them to browse on high vegetation and reach for leaves that other herbivores couldn’t. They had long, whip-like tails that were used for balance and protection against predators. Many scientists believe that they could also use their tails as a weapon to fend off attacking predators.

The most famous sauropodamorpha is undoubtedly the Brachiosaurus, a gigantic dinosaur that once roamed North America. Brachiosaurus was estimated to have been over 80 feet long, with a height of over 40 feet! That means it was as tall as a four-story building! Even more impressively, its massive weight was supported by only four legs, which makes it one of the most stable and well-balanced creatures ever to walk the earth.

But, despite their impressive size and power, sauropodamorpha were not without their quirks. For starters, their nostrils were located at the tip of their snouts, which must have made sneezing a pretty interesting experience. Additionally, some sauropods had unique structures called osteoderms, which were bony plates that grew on their skin. These plates may have helped to protect them from predators, but they also made them look like walking tank-tops.

Despite being extinct for millions of years, Sauropodamorpha continue to fascinate and inspire us. They remind us of a time when the earth was ruled by giant creatures, and serve as a testament to the power of nature. So, the next time you see a giraffe or an elephant, just remember that once upon a time, there were creatures even bigger and more impressive lurking around.