Apatosaurus Tail Vertebra

Along with Supersaurus, Diplodocus, and Brontosaurus, Apatosaurus is a member of the Diplodocidae family of sauropod dinosaurs. Best known for their long-necks, these animals also boasted extremely long and powerful tails, though the exact function of these massive structures is still hotly debated.

In many extant reptiles, similar structures to the large chevron bones on the underside of the Apatosaurus tail are used to help protect fragile parts of internal anatomy (e.g. blood vessels and nerves) from being damaged when pressing tails against the ground for either propulsion or support. Additionally, the flat centrum of the tail vertebrae testify to loose articulation and flexibility, leading some paleontologists to argue for use as a defense mechanism. In fact, recent morphological studies suggest that certain members of the Diplodocidae family could whip their tails so forcefully as to produce a noise that would’ve broken the sound barrier. We’re talking a sound loud enough to shatter human eardrums...or scare off even the hungriest Allosaurus.

Isolated sauropod tail vertebra like the fossil offered here are seldom preserved intact and without distortion, making this specimen a particularly attractive find.