The Diplodocus was a dinosaur that lived in North America toward the end of the Jurassic period. It got its name from the formation of its tail. This dinosaur’s tail was the longest of any dinosaur but that wasn’t the only unique thing about it. Diplodocus means ‘double beam’ and this name refers to the dinosaur’s tail. The diplodocus had double beamed chevron bones on the underside of its tail.
Chevron bones are bones that are found on the underside of many reptile’s tails but also some mammals like Kangaroos and Manatees. These bones help to protect vulnerable nerves and blood vessels that could otherwise be damaged under the weight of the animal or when it drags its tail.