In the Late Jurassic period, Camarasaurus were perhaps the most common dinosaurs on the North American continent. Herds of these animals roamed the coniferous forests that covered the western part of America.
Description
Although Camarasaurus reached 20 m in length, they were among the smallest sauropods. Their relatively small size and wide distribution made Camarasaurus a favorite target for predators such as Allosaurus.
Most sauropods are known from single skeleton finds, and even these are often badly damaged and incomplete. The skulls of these huge animals are especially rare. Finds of complete skeletons are counted in units.
Caramasaurs, oddly enough, are an exception to the rule. Scientists have found their numerous well-preserved skeletons, as well as several intact skulls, so the anatomy of Camarasaurs has been studied quite well. The skeletons of these animals of various ages are known from cubs to adults.
Traditionally, sauropods were thought not to chew their food very thoroughly. Of the teeth, they were mainly intended to pick leaves and shoots from trees, and all the difficult work of digestion was assigned to the stomach and intestines.
The study of the jaw remains of Camarasaurus led scientists to believe that these dinosaurs could chew plant food very thoroughly. The teeth of Camarasaurus were wide, ribbed and closed when the dinosaur closed its mouth. This made it possible to eat even very coarse vegetation. Moreover, the lower jaw of Camarasaurus could move from side to side relative to the lower one, thus grinding food.
The neck of Camarasaurus was relatively short by Sauropolian standards. It was made up of 12 separate vertebrae, which were connected in two ways: at the end of each vertebra there were joints of the protrusion-hollow type, and in the upper part bushings.
Such connections allowed the neck to move up and down easily. Stretching its neck, Camarasaurus could get food at a height of 7-8 meters. However, the neck could not move from side to side. This was prevented by special ribs located on the sides of the neck and fixing it.
