Vulcanodon belongs to the family of sauropod dinosaur that had been found existed in the Toarcian age of early Jurassic period. The fossil remains of the species were first discovered in southern Africa especially in Rhodesia, Zimbabwe, Lake Kariba, Island 126/127 - Vulcanodon Beds Formation. This herbivore species comes under the classification of Chordata, Reptilia, Dinosauria, Saurischia, Sauropodomorpha, Sauropoda, Gravisauria, Vulcanodontidae.
The species was first named and described by Michael Raath in 1972. From the identified fossil specimen it has been observed that the dinosaur was about 6.5 metres long. Its unique distinguishing characteristics include column-like legs and a long neck and tail. From the analysis of found fossil representation it has been revealed that the species had a fragmentary skeleton including much of the pelvic girdle, hind limbs, forearms, and tail, but lacking the trunk and neck vertebrae as well as the skull.
Initially the species was believed to be of prosauropod family as it had knife-shaped teeth. Scientists on proceeding with further researches came to the conclusion that this species belong to the sauropod family which is solely a carnivore.
| Name: | Vulcanodon (Volcano lizard). |
| Phonetic: | Vul-can-o-don. |
| Classification: | Chordata, Reptilia, Dinosauria, Saurischia, Sauropodomorpha, Sauropoda, Gravisauria, Vulcanodontidae. |
