Key Information
Plateosaurus
| Species | Plateosaurus trossingensis, Plateosaurus, gracilis, Plateosaurus longiceps |
| Diet | Herbivore |
| Length | 16 to 33 ft |
| Height | 4 to 9 ft |
| Weight | 1,300 to 8,800 lb |
| Timescale | Late Triassic |
| Classification | Saurischia > Sauropodomorpha > Plateosauridae |
Learning Point
- Plateosaurus was a large, herbivorous dinosaur that lived during the Late Triassic period. It was a quadrupedal dinosaur with a long neck and a small head. Plateosaurus was a common dinosaur in Europe during its time, and its fossils have been found in Germany, France, Switzerland, and Poland. This dinosaur played a significant role in the dinosaur ecosystem, shaping the landscape and food chain of its time.
Project
- Draw a picture of Plateosaurus looking for food with some of its young ones.
- Overview
- X-Ray
Location
| Confirmed | Europe |
Fun Facts
- The name Plateosaurus means “broad lizard” and and not “flat lizard” as it is sometimes mistranslated.
- Plateosaurus had a long neck that it used to reach high up into trees to eat leaves.
- It could walk on two legs and was about the size of a bus!
- The first Plateosaurus fossils were found in Germany.
Past Lessons
| 173 | November 18, 2024 | (North America) |