Plateosaurus trossingensis is a species of sauropod dinosaur that lived during the Triassic period, approximately 210 million years ago. It is known to be one of the oldest and most primitive dinosaurs, and its scientific name comes from the area where its fossils have been found, in Trossingen, Germany.
This dinosaur was large in size, reaching body lengths of up to 10 meters and weighing around 600 kilograms. Despite its size, Plateosaurus trossingensis was relatively light compared to some of the larger sauropod dinosaurs that evolved later.
Plateosaurus trossingensis is classified as a prosauropod sauropod, meaning it had characteristics of both sauropods and their more primitive ancestors. It had a long body and elongated neck, which allowed it to reach the vegetation in the treetops and it is believed that it fed mainly on plants. Its hind legs were strong and adapted to moving on land, suggesting that it was a quadruped dinosaur.
A distinctive feature of Plateosaurus trossingensis was its hand with an opposable thumb that allowed it to grasp objects, which could have been useful when feeding and manipulating its environment. Its teeth were suitable for cutting and crushing plants, and its skull had a characteristic shape with a long lower jaw.
Fossils of Plateosaurus trossingensis have been found in several locations in Europe, suggesting that it had a wide geographical distribution during the Triassic. Its existence in that period provides valuable information about the evolution of dinosaurs and their diversity at a crucial time in Earth's history.
Approximate measurements of the Plateosaurus:
- Scale 1:35
- Length 200mm
- Height 144mm
- Snout-tail length 240 mm
- Complete and solid Plateosaurus
