Overview
Supersaurus vivianae was an exceptionally large diplodocid
sauropod from the Late Jurassic Morrison Formation of North America.
Initially discovered in Colorado, it’s renowned for its incredible length—
some estimates stretch from 105 to over 130 ft (32–40 m)—making
it among the longest dinosaurs on record. This herbivore’s elongated neck and
tail were hallmarks of its diplodocid lineage, allowing it to graze in broad
sweeps across large areas of vegetation.
Although the fossil material for Supersaurus has historically been fragmentary,
more recent discoveries and reassessments have clarified its distinctiveness
from other diplodocids. Its massive scapulocoracoid (shoulder girdle) and vertebrae
underscore a robust, elongated body design, adapted for carrying considerable weight.
Paleoartists and researchers have used these fossils to depict a dinosaur that possibly
rivaled other giant diplodocids, such as Diplodocus hallorum and Barosaurus, in sheer length.
Quick Facts
Diet
Herbivore (ferns, conifers, and other lush Jurassic flora)
Weight
~35–40 tons (est.)
Length
~105–130+ ft (~32–40 m)
Speed
~5 mph (est. walking speed)
Bite Force
~300 psi (est. for a sauropod with peg-like teeth)
Discovery & Significance
Supersaurus was initially described in the 1970s by paleontologist James A. Jensen,
based on fossil remains discovered near Delta, Colorado. Its name, meaning “super lizard,”
reflects the enormous size indicated by the giant bones. Early confusion arose over whether
certain fossils belonged to Supersaurus or other close relatives (e.g., Ultrasauros and
Dystylosaurus), but subsequent study clarified the taxon.
Ongoing fossil excavations and reevaluations of old collections continue to refine
scientists’ understanding of Supersaurus’s anatomy. The dinosaur’s extraordinary size
suggests specialized skeletal adaptations for supporting such length, such as elongated,
lightweight vertebrae that reduced overall mass. Its remains underscore how certain
sauropods evolved extreme body plans to exploit abundant vegetation in Late Jurassic
floodplain ecosystems.
More Details
Supersaurus was an immense diplodocid sauropod that roamed western North America during the Late Jurassic, roughly 153–145 million years ago. It attracted attention early on, mainly because the bones hinted at a truly super-sized dinosaur, larger than many of its contemporaries such as Apatosaurus or Diplodocus. Excavations at Dry Mesa Quarry in Colorado brought to light an impressive scapulocoracoid nearly 2.4 meters tall, which eventually led to naming this new sauropod “Supersaurus.” Additional remains, including a more complete specimen known informally as “Jimbo,” confirm that these giants were capable of lengths ranging from 33 to perhaps more than 40 meters.
Researchers consider Supersaurus to have been relatively slender, weighing around 35 to 44 metric tons—still a colossal mass, but not as hefty proportionally as other behemoth sauropods. In terms of physique, it combined the elongated neck typical of a diplodocid with a surprisingly robust set of limbs. The lengthy neck presumably helped it reach high foliage, though it may also have dipped down to feed on mid- or lower-level vegetation, depending on food availability.
Interestingly, several early finds led to taxonomic confusion. The name “Ultrasauros,” once used by media outlets, turned out to be a chimera of Supersaurus and Brachiosaurus bones, prompting paleontologists to consolidate everything under the single name Supersaurus. Another genus, Dystylosaurus, has also fallen into synonymy. Modern comparisons, including new scanning techniques, verify that the Dry Mesa material and Jimbo’s skeleton indeed represent the same genus—Supersaurus—rather than a separate lineage.
Its environment was the sprawling floodplains known as the Morrison Formation, where it coexisted with familiar dinosaurs like Allosaurus, Stegosaurus, and numerous others. With a combination of extreme neck length and massive body size, Supersaurus evidently excelled at reaching valuable plant food sources unavailable to less towering herbivores. This advantage likely contributed to its success, even among a Jurassic landscape filled with other giant sauropods. While precise behavioral details remain speculative, its enormous size alone evokes a sense of awe, reinforcing Supersaurus as one of the most remarkable long-necked dinosaurs ever unearthed.