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During the
Late Jurassic, Apatosaurus, Camarasaurus, and Diplodocus
were the most common sauropod dinosaurs in the western United States.
Dinosaur Hall presents the complete skeletons of all three.
The
skull of an adult Camarasaurus, like those of other sauropods,
is quite small relative to overall body size. Striking differences
between the skull and teeth of Camarasaurus and those of
other contemporary sauropods such as Diplodocus indicate
different feeding habits for these giant plant eaters. The thick,
spoon-shaped teeth of Camarasaurus may have allowed it to
feed on plant material that was much more coarse.
Also represented
in Dinosaur Hall is a young Camarasaurus. The skeleton is
still partially embedded in original sandstone, and is one of the
most complete sauropod dinosaur skeletons ever found. The animal
had reached only about two-fifths the size of an adult Camarasaurus.
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