What is the Difference Between Brontosaurus and Diplodocus?

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Brontosaurus and Diplodocus were both large, herbivorous sauropod dinosaurs that lived during the Late Jurassic period in North America. They shared similar body shapes and were from the same family, Diplodocidae, which includes some of the longest sauropods in the world. However, there are several key differences between the two:

  1. Size and length: Diplodocus was longer and thinner than Brontosaurus, measuring up to 175 feet in length, while Brontosaurus was more robust.
  2. Weight: Despite being longer than Brontosaurus, Diplodocus was actually lighter.
  3. Social behavior: Brontosaurus is thought to have been a solitary animal, while Diplodocus lived in herds of between 30 and 100.
  4. Tail: Diplodocus had a longer body and a tail with chevron bones, which are thought to have helped support the long tail.
  5. Robustness: Brontosaurus was more robust in build compared to Diplodocus, with wider legs, body, and neck.

In summary, while Brontosaurus and Diplodocus shared similarities as large sauropod dinosaurs, they had distinct differences in size, weight, social behavior, tail structure, and robustness.

Comparative Table: Brontosaurus vs Diplodocus

Here is a table comparing the differences between Brontosaurus and Diplodocus:

Feature Brontosaurus Diplodocus
Length Up to 72 feet Up to 175 feet
Weight Heavier than Diplodocus Lighter than Brontosaurus
Build Bulkier, stouter, and heavier Somewhat longer and leaner
Legs Slightly longer hind legs and shorter front legs Shorter body length and tail
Diet Grazed at ground level Ate a similar diet but swallowed small stones to help grind up the food
Social Behavior Thought to be a solitary animal Lived in herds of between 30 – 100
Genus Belongs to the genus of gigantic quadruped sauropod dinosaurs Belongs to the genus diplodocid sauropod dinosaurs

Both Brontosaurus and Diplodocus are sauropod dinosaurs, which are characterized by their large bodies, long necks, and tails. They are both herbivores with long necks, but they have some differences in size, build, and social behavior. Brontosaurus is bulkier and heavier, while Diplodocus is longer and leaner. Additionally, Brontosaurus is thought to have been a solitary animal, whereas Diplodocus lived in herds.