![[diplodocus]](d118a.jpg) |
Diplodocus was one of the longest dinosaurs, measuring up to 89 feet. But it was extremely light
for its size--weighing about 12 tons--because it had a very slender, long tail and neck, as well as a
tiny head.
This skull typifies the condition in which paleontologists usually discover dinosaur bones. They
read the fragmentary evidence, attempt to reconstruct animals based upon more complete
skeletons, and make educated guesses about their behavior. Diplodocus' small, peg-like teeth, for
example, indicate it was a plant eater. Courtesy of the National Museum of Natural History
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