Scientists Discover That Long-Necked Sauropod Dinosaurs Walked Similar to a Hippopotamus

For a long time, scientists believed that sauropods (long-necked dinosaurs that include Brachiosaurus, Diplodocus, Apatosaurus, Brontosaurus, and Dreadnoughtus) walked like elephants, however, new research from Liverpool John Moores University has discovered that their gait was actually more like that of a hippopotamus.

Sauropods, a group that includes Diplodocus, were assumed to walk like elephants, but a new way to analyse footprints shows their gait was most similar to a hippopotamus.

Dinosaur Gait
Lateral Sequence Gait

Here’s an interesting size comparison of sauropod dinosaurs.

Lori Dorn
Lori Dorn

Lori is a Laughing Squid Contributing Editor based in New York City who has been writing blog posts for over a decade. She also enjoys making jewelry, playing guitar, taking photos and mixing craft cocktails.