Massospondylus was a close relative of Lufengo- saurus and Plateosaurus, and a distant relative of The codontosaurus, and its name means "bulky spine bone." In most aspects it was similar to its close relatives, except that it was smaller. Dinosaurs of this type were common over 200 million years ago, during the late Triassic and early Jurassic periods. Fossil remains of Massospon- dylus were found in southern Africa. Bones similar to this type have been found as far away as India.

Massospondylus had much larger hands than any of its relatives. In each thumb was a large, curved claw. This may have been a defensive weapon, but it is more likely that the claw was used to increase its diet. Instead of munching plants and small animals, it could dig up juicy roots and tear out small trees. This dinosaur had stones and pebbles in its stomach to grind up food. Its primitive teeth were not capable of tearing up plant food in its mouth.

Location: USA, Lesotho, South Africa, Zimbabwe

Diet: Foliage

Size: Length 5m

Classification:

Family Massospondylidae

Infraorder Prosauropoda

Suborder Sauropodomorpha

Order Saurischia

Time (million years ago): 205-194