MEET JUNIOR, THE APATOSAURUS. 'Junior' is a juvenile, plant-eating Sauropod, Apatosaurus - and a significant and scientifically valuable find in a relatively small package. This unprepared specimen is estimated at 80-85% complete, and is fully excavated, jacketed and in secure storage.
Near-Complete. At approximately 25 feet long, the juvenile Apatosaurus is only 25%-30% as large as an adult of the species, which come in at 70-90 feet long. Bone quality is excellent. The only areas that may be missing are some foot parts and a chunk of the distal end of tail.
Open to discovery. Junior Apatosaurus in currently unprepared, allowing scientists to discover more about the dinosaur and its taxon as jackets are opened and the bones are prepared. The image to the far left shows the areas where the skull parts were found, tucked under a pair of arm bones.
(Near left image) One of Junior's foot bones and claw.
Scientific importance. The skull parts and the cervical vertebrae and ribs will be particularly important in determining whether the specimen is truly an Apatosaurus or not. Review the map of Junior's bones in the field
Mysterious teeth. In addition to finding skull parts, teeth were also found in close proximity to what appear to be jaw bones. Less peg-like than Diplodocus and less spoon-shaped than Camarasaurus, Junior's teeth are narrow and more “almond”-shaped. See Junior's tooth comparison image
MEET JUNIOR, THE APATOSAURUS. 'Junior' is a juvenile, plant-eating Sauropod, Apatosaurus - and a significant and scientifically valuable find in a relatively small package. This unprepared specimen is estimated at 80-85% complete, and is fully excavated, jacketed and in secure storage.
image to the far left shows the areas where the skull parts were found, tucked under a pair of arm bones..jpg "Junior's arm bones and ribs")
