What is Dicraeosaurus?
{{italictitle}}{{Use dmy dates|date=November 2023}} {{Taxobox | name = ''Dicraeosaurus'' | fossil_range = [[Upper Jurassic]] <br/>155–150 mya | image = Dicraeosaurus Berlin.jpg | image_width = 250px | image_caption = The skeleton of a young ''Dicraeosaurus''. | regnum = [[Animal]]ia | classis = [[Sauropsida]] | superordo = [[Dinosaur]]ia | ordo = [[Saurischia]] | subordo = [[Sauropodomorpha]] | familia = [[Dicraeosauridae]] | genus = '''''Dicraeosaurus''''' }} '''''Dicraeosaurus''''' had some physical differences from the rest of its family. The first fossil of ''Dicraeosaurus'' was discovered in 1914. It was named for the spines on the back of the neck. In general, sauropods had long necks and tails, skinny bodies and limbs, and tiny brains and heads. They were light in comparison with the [[Brachiosauridae|brachiosaurs]]. Their vertebrae were a lattice of bony struts, used to reduce weight and take maximum stress. The family Dicraeosauridae had shorter tails, larger heads and longer neural spines along their neck and back. ''Dicraeosaurus'' lived about 155-150 mya during the time of its predators, ''[[Allosaurus]]'' and ''[[Ceratosaurus]].'' Fossils of ''Dicraeosaurus'' have been found in the rocks of Tendaguru Hill in [[Tanzania]]. The rocks also yield fossils of an African ''[[Giraffatitan|Brachiosaurus]]'' and a ''[[Kentrosaurus]]''. The difference in size between these animals suggests they would have browsed for vegetation at different levels. This allowed them to co-exist without significant competition. There is also speculation that female ''Dicraeosaurus'' were more dominant than males. [[Category:Dinosaurs of Africa]] [[category:Sauropods]] [[Category:Dinosaurs]]