Name: Camarasaurus (Greek for "chambered lizard"); pronounced cam-AH-rah-SORE-us>
Habitat: Plains of North America
Historical Period: Late Jurassic 150-145 million years ago
Size and Weight: About 60 feet long and 20 tons
Diet: Plants
Distinguishing Characteristics: Large, boxy skull; hollow vertebrae; single claw on front feet
About
Camarasaurus: True giants like Argentinosaurus and Apatosaurus may get all the press, but pound for pound, the most common sauropod (giant herbivorous dinosaur) of late Jurassic North America was Camarasaurus. This medium-sized giant, which weighed "only" about 20 tons, is believed to have roamed the midwestern plains in herds, and was likely a prime source of food for the hungry theropods of its day. Paleontologists believe Camarasaurus subsisted on more challenging fare than its larger cousins, since its teeth were adapted to shredding tough vegetation. Like other herbivorous dinosaurs, Camarasaurus may have swallowed small stones--called "gastroliths"--to help grind down its meals. (By the way, the name "chambered lizard" refers to Camarasaurus' head, which contained numerous large openings that probably evolved for cooling purposes.)
THE DIRECTIONS
Start at posted coordinates then walk NORTH up the trail until you get to a large tree cut in half, with the base of the tree on the left and the rest of the tree on the right. Walk another 18 PACES untill you come to the FIRST "Y" intersection on the trail. Continue up the RIGHT path. When you get to the FIRST fallen tree (10" dia.) on the RIGHT side follow it to the end. Then looking to the RIGHT you will see a much larger fallen tree that branches into 2 limbs about 10 feet up from base, there you'll find Camarasaurus
**** Please be prepared this area can be very muddy at certain times of the year****
****Remember to follow all directions EXACTLY****
****Bring bug spray****
****Good Boots****
****Compass****
This cache is located within The Holliday Forest & Wildlife Preserve a part of the Wayne county park system. All caches are placed with permission. The Holliday Forest & Wildlife Preserve contains approximately 550 acres along the valley of what is known as Tonquish Creek in the northwest part of the County of Wayne.
This land was acquired by the County for the purpose of habitat preservation through the estate of Mr. Arthur J. Richardson, a Detroit Banker. Mr. Richardson, a philanthropist who died in 1938, stipulated in his will that the County establish a park in honor of his uncle William P. Holliday, who was a life long mentor.
It took over twenty years to assemble hundreds of little parcels that eventually became the Holliday Wildlife Preserve in 1958.
This three-mile section of the Tonquish Creek watershed is in its natural state, containing thickets, upland woods, wetlands and meadows. The foot trails that follow the streambed date back to the days of the Potowanami Indians who fished and trapped this rich land. Chief Tonquish was killed and buried on the lands within the preserve |