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Dinosaurs: Plateosaurus (Flat Lizard)

 

Last updated: 19th Mar 2025

 

What is a Plateosaurus?

 

Plateosaurus was a large, plant-eating dinosaur that lived during the Late Triassic Period, about 214 to 204 million years ago, in what is now Europe. It was one of the earliest known long-necked dinosaurs, called sauropodomorphs. Plateosaurus is famous for its long neck and tail, small head, and strong legs. While not as massive as later sauropods, it was still among the largest dinosaurs of its time!

 

 

How big was Plateosaurus?

 

Plateosaurus could grow up to 9 metres (30 feet) long, about as long as a double-decker bus! It stood around 2.5 metres (8 feet) tall at the hips and weighed between 600 and 4,000 kilograms (0.6 to 4 tonnes), depending on the individual. Its long neck helped it reach plants high up or close to the ground, and its tail balanced its body as it moved.

 

 

Appearance

 

Plateosaurus had a small head, a long, flexible neck, a long tail, and a bulky, barrel-shaped body. It usually walked on two strong back legs, though it could also move on all fours. Its hands had five fingers, with a large thumb claw possibly used for defence or digging for food. Its teeth were flat and leaf-shaped, ideal for stripping and chewing plants.

 

Plateosaurus

 

Generative AI Notification: Some elements of this image have been created or enhanced using AI technology. To find out how we create all our dinosaurs, click here.

 

 

What did Plateosaurus eat?

 

Plateosaurus was a herbivore, which means it ate plants. Its leaf-shaped teeth were perfect for chewing tough plants like horsetails, ferns, and cycads. Scientists believe Plateosaurus could feed at different heights, using its flexible neck and bipedal stance to reach leaves and branches.

 

 

Where did Plateosaurus live?

 

Fossils of Plateosaurus have been found in what is now Germany, France, Switzerland, and other parts of Europe. During the Triassic, this area was a warm landscape with rivers, forests, and many other early dinosaurs and reptiles.

 

 

 

	Plateosaurus Facts   Pronounced: plat-ee-oh-SORE-us Name Means: "Flat lizard" (named for its broad, flat bones) Length: up to 9 m (30 feet) Height: about 2.5 m (8 feet) at the hips Weight: 600–4,000 kilograms (0.6–4 tonnes) Diet: Herbivore (plants) Time: Late Triassic (about 214–204 million years ago) Fossils Found: Europe (Germany, France, Switzerland)

 

Intersting Facts

 

• Early Giant: Plateosaurus was one of the first very large dinosaurs, paving the way for the even bigger sauropods that came later.
• Ancient Age: It lived around 200 million years ago, making it much older than famous dinosaurs like T. rex and Triceratops.
• Two-Legged Walker: Plateosaurus usually walked on two legs, but could use all fours when needed.
• Fossil Finds: Hundreds of Plateosaurus skeletons have been found in Europe, making it one of the best-known early dinosaurs.
• Neighbour Dinosaurs: Plateosaurus shared its world with early meat-eaters like Coelophysis and other ancient reptiles.

 

 

Which family of dinosaurs did Plateosaurus belong to?

 

Plateosaurus was part of the Plateosauridae family, a group of early sauropodomorph dinosaurs. These dinosaurs were the ancestors of the giant, long-necked sauropods like Brachiosaurus and Diplodocus that appeared later in the Jurassic Period.

 

 

Plateosaurus FAQ

 

Q1: What is a Plateosaurus?

A1: Plateosaurus was a large, plant-eating dinosaur that lived during the Late Triassic Period, about 214 to 204 million years ago, in what is now Europe.

 

Q2: What does Plateosaurus mean?

A2: Plateosaurus means "Flat lizard", named for its flat bones.

 

Q3: Was Plateosaurus a carnivore?

A3: No, Plateosaurus was a plant-eater (herbivore).

 

Q4: How long was Plateosaurus?

A4: Plateosaurus was about 9 metres (30 feet) long.

 

Q5: Did Plateosaurus have a long neck?

A5: Yes, Plateosaurus had a long, flexible neck to reach different plants.

 

Q6: Where did Plateosaurus live?

A6: Plateosaurus lived in what is now Europe (Germany, France, Switzerland).

 

Q7: Was Plateosaurus fast?

A7: Plateosaurus could move quickly on two legs, but it wasn’t a fast runner.

 

Q8: Did Plateosaurus live in herds?

A8: Scientists think Plateosaurus may have lived in groups for protection and finding food.

 

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