Camarasaurus

Camarasaurus (name meaning "Chambered Lizard") is a genus of sauropod dinosaur that originated during the Middle Jurassic period in what is now North America. Measuring 18 meters long and weighing 20 tons, it was among the most common sauropod dinosaurs of the Jurassic.

In the Series 2 episode "Survival of the Biggest," a small herd of Camarasaurus, consisting of seven individuals, was brought back to the park from Late Jurassic North America, 150 million years ago.

Era & Discovery
Camarasaurus lived in North America during the Late Jurassic period from 155 to 145 million years ago. It lived alongside other creatures like Allosaurus, Ceratosaurus, Ornitholestes, Saurophaganax, Torvosaurus, Apatosaurus, Brachiosaurus, Brontosaurus, Diplodocus, Gargoyleosaurus, Stegosaurus, Camptosaurus and Dryosaurus.

The first record of Camarasaurus comes from 1877, when a few scattered vertebrae were located in Colorado, by Oramel W. Lucas. Its name refers to the hollow chambers in its vertebrae.

Physical Attributes
Among the most common and frequently well-preserved sauropod dinosaurs, Camarasaurus grew to 30 feet (9 m) tall, measured 49 – 75 feet (15 – 23 m) in length, and weighed 20 – 51 tons (44,000–112,000 lbs.) Like most other sauropods, Camarasaurus fed high in trees. Their spoon-shaped teeth and powerful jaws could rip branches off. Unlike most sauropods, Camarasaurus's head is held in an almost vertical position. Additionally, like other sauropods, Camarasaurus couldn’t chew their food. They gulped it down whole and to digest it, they shallowed stones that grind the food in their stomach.

Behavior & Traits
Camarasaurus lived in small herds to 3 – 7 or more individuals. To defend itself against attackers, Camarasaurus could rear itself up on its hind legs to intimidate predators such as Allosaurus. Additionally, they could also use their longs necks and long tails to fight back.