Diplodocus Family Colouring

Meet a gentle Diplodocus family taking a long walk through a wide Jurassic valley! Two enormous adults travel beside a smaller youngster while mountains rise in the distance. Diplodocus lived during the Late Jurassic Period, roughly 154 to 152 million years ago, in what is now western North America. Fossils have been found in the famous Morrison Formation, especially in places such as Colorado, Utah, Wyoming, and Montana. A full-grown Diplodocus could reach about 24 to 27 metres from its tiny head to the tip of its amazing tail, making it longer than several school buses parked end to end. Despite that great length, its body was lighter and more slender than some other giant sauropods. Its neck helped it reach plenty of low and medium-height plants, while its peg-shaped teeth stripped leaves. The extra-long tail narrowed into a whip-like tip and may have helped with balance, communication, or defence. In this picture, notice how each dinosaur has a small head, a long sweeping neck, four strong legs, and a very long tapering tail. The young Diplodocus has the same features in a smaller size. Begin colouring the dinosaurs with any natural shades you enjoy. Soft olive green, sandy brown, warm grey, or dusty blue can make a believable herd. You could give the youngster a lighter belly or gentle spots, then add darker colour along the adults’ backs. Try not to hide the clear outlines. Colour the ferns in several greens and use brown or tan for the tree trunks, rocks, and winding ground. The distant mountains can be pale grey, purple, or blue to make them seem far away, while a bright blue sky will keep the valley cheerful. Work slowly around the narrow tail tips and small toes, then use broader strokes inside the large bodies and open sky. Can you make the three family members look related by repeating one colour or pattern? This page is a fun way to practise careful colouring while discovering how one of the longest dinosaurs may have travelled through its ancient home.

◫ A4 size✎ Bold outlines♡ Ages 3–8

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Grown-up note: Please supervise printing and choose age-appropriate art materials.