Galeamopus (‬Need/Want Helmet)

Basic facts

  • 88.6 feet (27m) length

  • Late Jurassic

  • USA

  • Herbivore

Galeamopus is a genus of herbivorous sauropod dinosaurs belonging to the diplodocid family. This genus encompasses two identified species: Galeamopus hayi, which has been uncovered in the Late Jurassic lower Morrison Formation in Wyoming, United States, dating back to the Kimmeridgian period around 155 million years ago, and Galeamopus pabsti, identified from Late Jurassic fossils in both Wyoming and Colorado.

The type species of Galeamopus is noteworthy due to one of the most impeccably preserved diplodocid fossils, featuring an almost complete skeleton along with an associated skull. Galeamopus is also known for its distinctive whip-like tail, which had the potential to generate loud cracking sounds. It is even plausible that Galeamopus sported a series of short keratinous spines running along its body, a characteristic observed in certain other diplodocid sauropods.