The first fossils of Camptosaurus were discovered in the late 19th century in North America and were described by American paleontologist Edward Drinker Cope. Its name "Camptosaurus," which means "flexible lizard" in Greek, reflects the unique flexibility of its spine, a characteristic that differentiates it from other dinosaurs.

Camptosaurus belongs to the ornithopod group of dinosaurs, characterized by their herbivorous diet and bipedal locomotion. It is classified within the subfamily Camptosaurinae, which includes several closely related species.

Camptosaurus was a medium-sized dinosaur, measuring approximately 20 to 23 feet (6 to 7 meters) in length and weighing around 1 to 2 tons. It had a slender and graceful build, with powerful hind limbs adapted for bipedal movement and well-developed arms featuring five-fingered hands.

One of Camptosaurus' most distinctive features was its unique dental arrangement. It had a beak-like structure at the front of its mouth, ideal for cropping vegetation, followed by rows of small, leaf-shaped teeth in the back. These teeth were designed for efficient grinding of plant material, reflecting its herbivorous diet.

As a herbivorous dinosaur, Camptosaurus was a skilled forager, adapted to consuming a variety of plant matter that dominated the Jurassic landscape. Its unique dental morphology allowed it to process tough vegetation, giving it a competitive advantage in its ecological niche.

While Camptosaurus is generally considered bipedal, some researchers propose that it could adopt a quadrupedal stance when browsing for food, using its tail as a third support point. This versatility in locomotion may have helped it efficiently navigate its environment and access different food sources.

In terms of behavior, Camptosaurus likely lived in social groups or herds, as evidenced by the discovery of multiple individuals found in close proximity. Living in herds provided protection from predators, increased the chances of successful foraging, and facilitated social interactions among members of the same species.