Dinosaurs Around the World · Drawing 04 of 34
Plateosaurus
Europe · Late Triassic
Plateosaurus was a Triassic plant-eater. Its long neck and small head recall the later long-necked giants.
Did you know?
Adults walked on their two hind legs.
Look together
Are its hind legs longer than its arms?
An idea to try
Trace the long neck with your finger.
For the adult reading along
A little more to discover
The drawing represents an adult Plateosaurus, known from Europe, including Germany. Studies of the hands and limbs support bipedal movement in adults. Their hands could not be placed flat like those of a four-legged walker.
Look together: Are its hind legs longer than its arms? Trace the long neck with your finger.
Sources and illustration notes (2)
Simplified reconstruction. Pose, unpreserved tissues and setting are interpreted. Choose your own colours; animals are not to one scale.
These links lead to other websites. Explore them with an adult. References identify the institution and the related lesson; some linked pages are in French.
- Natural History Museum: PlateosaurusCompare an early plant-eating dinosaur with later long-necked dinosaurs.
- Palaeontologia Electronica: Motion range of the manus of Plateosaurus engelhardti von Meyer, 1837Compare an early plant-eating dinosaur with later long-necked dinosaurs.
Source review: 2026-10-04. Illustrations are simplified for colouring.
