sauropods

Definition

A group of large, herbivorous dinosaurs characterized by their long necks, long tails, and four thick, pillar-like legs.

Etymology

The term is derived from the Greek words 'sauros' (lizard) and 'pous' (foot), meaning 'lizard-footed,' reflecting the appearance of their feet as described by 19th-century paleontologists.

In the news

In this article, sauropods are mentioned as a group that, unlike theropods, relied on teeth and long guts for digestion rather than using a muscular, stone-grinding stomach. This distinction helps illustrate the diverse range of evolutionary strategies dinosaurs used to process food.

Dinosaurs evolved very strange and unique strategies for digesting food and absorbing nutrients

Earth.com

Related words