What is volcanodon?

Volcanodon is a genus of extinct sauropod dinosaur that lived during the Early Cretaceous period, about 130 million years ago. The fossils of this dinosaur were discovered in the Serra da Galga Formation of the Lourinhã Group in Portugal. The name Volcanodon is derived from "volcano" due to the volcanic origin of the rocks where its bones were found and "odon" meaning "tooth" in Greek, referring to its teeth.

The size of Volcanodon is estimated to be around 18 meters (59 feet) in length and 7-8 meters (23-26 feet) in height, making it a mid-sized sauropod. Its anatomy indicates that it had a long neck and tail, and a robust body with strong legs. It is believed to have been herbivorous, feeding on plants.

Volcanodon is classified as a member of the family Diplodocidae, which includes long-necked dinosaurs such as Diplodocus and Apatosaurus. However, it is distinct from other members of the family in having a unique combination of features in its vertebrae and other skeletal elements.

Overall, Volcanodon is an important discovery as it provides new insights into the evolution and diversity of sauropod dinosaurs during the Early Cretaceous.