Diplodocus

Overview

Diplodocus was a long-necked, plant-eating sauropod from Late Jurassic North America. Its name refers to the distinctive double-beamed bones on the underside of its tail. Fossils are known from the Morrison Formation, alongside other famous Jurassic dinosaurs.

“The double-beamed tail bones that inspired its name were first thought to be unique to Diplodocus; later discoveries found similar bones in other sauropods.”

Key facts

Size & simulator stats

Estimated at about 26 m long. It was among the longest dinosaurs, though comparisons depend on which species and reconstructions are used.

Length

27 m

Height

5 m

Weight

15.0 t

See how Diplodocus measures up in the sourced size comparison chart.

Habitat

Late Jurassic floodplains of what is now the western United States; fossils occur in the Morrison Formation.

Western North America; many fossils come from the Morrison Formation of the United States.

Diet

A herbivore with comb-like teeth suited to stripping soft vegetation. The exact height at which it fed is still debated.

Herbivore. Its peg-like teeth were suited to stripping vegetation; the exact plants and feeding heights are uncertain.

Fossils & discovery

First described from Fossil record (Multiple fossil formations).The double-beamed tail bones that inspired its name were first thought to be unique to Diplodocus; later discoveries found similar bones in other sauropods.

Research sources

• Natural History Museum: Diplodocus

Sources checked on September 28, 2026 by the Dinosaurs Names Editorial Team. Editorial policy

Gallery

Related dinosaurs

• BrachiosaurusBrachiosaurus altithorax
• StegosaurusStegosaurus stenops
• AllosaurusAllosaurus fragilis
• RhamphorhynchusRhamphorhynchus muensteri