Diplodocus

Diplodocus was first discovered in 1877 in Colorado, North America, by Samuel Williston. Its name translates to 'double-beam lizard', a reference to the chevron shaped bones below its tail vertebrae.

It is one of the most recognisable dinosaurs worldwide, partly due to its distinctive long neck and massive tail. In fact, it is thought to have had the longest tail of all dinosaurs, measuring in the region of 13-14m in length.

Another reason for it's fame are the copies of the Diplodous skeleton known as Dippy, which have been amazing visitors in museums since 1905.

Dipodocus is thought to have used a technique called branch stripping to gather its food. It would hold a branch tightly in its mouth before thrusting its head up or down, tearing foliage from the branch. Once in their stomach it would be broken down with the assistance of gastroliths, pebbles or stones which the dinosaur intentionally swalled to help break up their food.