Diplodocus explained to kids

Diplodocus is a genus of extinct sauropod dinosaurs that lived in North America during the Late Jurassic period, about 155 to 145 million years ago. The name Diplodocus means "double beam", referring to the two long beams (or chevrons) that run along the underside of the tail. Diplodocus was one of the longest land animals that ever lived, measuring up to 27 metres (89 ft) in length from head to tail, and weighing up to 16 tonnes (18 short tons). Diplodocus was a herbivore that fed on low-lying plants. Its long neck and tail helped it reach the leaves of tall trees. Diplodocus is one of the most popular dinosaurs, and has been featured in films, television shows, books, and video games. Diplodocus is known from many well-preserved skeleton fossils, found in the United States in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. The type species, Diplodocus carnegiei, was named in 1912 after steel magnate Andrew Carnegie, who helped fund the expeditions that discovered the fossils. There are two main theories about how Diplodocus moved. One theory is that Diplodocus dragged its tail along the ground to help support its body. The other theory is that Diplodocus held its tail up in the air like a flag or a flagpole. Diplodocus had a small head for its body size, and its brain was smaller than that of other dinosaurs. Its teeth were peg-shaped and suitable for eating plants. Diplodocus is thought to have lived in herds, and may have been social animals that communicated with each other using sounds and body language.