Erectopus sauvagei is a genus of sauropod dinosaur that lived during the Cretaceous period (100-65.5 million years ago). The only species that belongs to this genus is Erectopus sauvagei. This dinosaur was first found in 1868 by French paleontologist M. Sauvage in Madagascar. It was a fairly large dinosaur, achieving lengths as long as 30 feet (9 meters). Its long neck and tail gave it an overall length of about 50 feet (15 meters).
The most remarkable thing about Erectopus is its incredibly long neck with a total of sixteen cervical vertebrae, more than any other known dinosaur. The skull of Erectopus was relatively flat in comparison to other sauropods. It had an elliptical shape with large eyes, a snout that was slightly elongated and small ears tucked away near the back of its head. Its jaws were quite powerful, with dental ridges for crushing vegetation. Though it was very well adapted for grazing heavily vegetated areas, it also had large claws which it used for gripping on to foliage for support while its long neck allowed it to reach for food that was further away.
Erectopus Facts :
| Name: | Erectopus Dinosaurs |
| Size: | 50 feet (15 meters) |
| Main Facts: | Its forelimbs had a unique feature, with four toes on the front foot and three on the back, which provided more support when running. Its hind legs were much longer than its forelimbs and had five toes. |
Erectopus was likely a herbivore, relying on nutrient-rich foliage for its diet. Its long neck gave it the advantage for foraging in dense vegetation and allowed it to reach food higher off of the ground. Although there isn't much fossil evidence, it is believed that Erectopus traveled in herds, socializing with each other and providing protection in numbers.
Erectopus is an intriguing dinosaur that had some unique features that gave it an advantage in its Cretaceous environment. Its long, sixteen-vertebrae neck was certainly an impressive adaptation and gave it the ability to reach food in places that other dinosaurs may not have been able to reach. Its long limbs also gave it an advantage as it moved, running quickly and agility to avoid predators. Although there is much that is still unknown about Erectopus, its remains give us a fascinating glimpse into the ancient past.
