**Australodocus: A Dinosaur from the Past**
Australodocus is a type of dinosaur that lived during the Late Jurassic period around 150 million years ago.
It roamed what is now Lindi Region in Tanzania. The name “Australodocus” means “southern beam,” and it was known for its long neck, which was quite different from some of its relatives.
**Discovery of Australodocus**
The first remains of Australodocus, specifically a couple of neck bones, were discovered in 1909 during an expedition led by Werner Janensch. This area, known as the Tendaguru Formation, is famous for many dinosaur fossils, including large sauropods like Giraffatitan and Tendaguria.
Sadly, most of the original bones found during that expedition were lost in World War II. However, the bones that survived helped scientists understand more about the diversity of dinosaurs in that region.
The species name, *A. bohetii*, is in honor of Boheti bin Amrani, who was an important member of the excavation team.
**What Type of Dinosaur is Australodocus?**
When it was first discovered, Australodocus was thought to belong to a group of sauropods called diplodocids. This group is known for having long necks and tails. However, later research found that Australodocus might actually belong to a different group called Titanosauriformes, possibly related to Brachiosaurus. This suggests it might have lived in a forested environment, different from the wide-open plains where other dinosaurs like Diplodocus lived.
**Size and Weight**
Scientists believe that Australodocus was quite large. Some estimates suggest it could have been about 17 meters long, which is roughly the length of a school bus, and weighed about 4,000 kilograms, which is about the weight of a small car.
In summary, Australodocus is an interesting dinosaur that gives us insight into the variety of life during the Jurassic period. Even though we only have a few bones to study, scientists continue to learn more about this fascinating creature and its relatives.