Britannica AI Icon

Quick Summary

Cetiosaurus was a genus of primitive, generalized sauropod dinosaurs found in Jurassic England. Sauropods were a subgroup of dinosaurs characterized by their large size, long necks and tails, four-legged stance, and herbivorous diet. They were the largest land animals to have ever lived.12

The name Cetiosaurus comes from Greek words meaning "sea monster" or "whale," reflecting the initial perception of these large creatures. While once thought to be aquatic, evidence suggests sauropods were better adapted to terrestrial life. Their long necks allowed them to reach foliage from tall trees, similar to modern giraffes.12

Summary created from Britannica articles using AI. AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.
2 Britannica Sources
  1. Cetiosaurus
  2. sauropod

Ask Britannica AI about this topic

Britannica doesn't have a full article on this topic, so we've curated a list of our relevant coverage.