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Dinosaurs: Brachiosaurus (Arm Lizard)
Last updated: 12th Nov 2024 Brachiosaurus was a giant, plant-eating dinosaur that lived during the Jurassic Period, around 150 to 130 million years ago. This dinosaur is famous for being one of the tallest and heaviest dinosaurs ever discovered! • Height: Brachiosaurus could grow up to 13 meters (43 feet) tall, which is about the height of a four-story building. • Length: They could reach up to 25 meters (82 feet) long. • Weight: Brachiosaurus weighed as much as 75 to 80 tons, which is roughly the weight of 13 African elephants! Brachiosaurus looked a bit like a giant giraffe with a very long neck and relatively short tail. Unlike most other dinosaurs, their front legs were longer than their back legs, hence their name "arm lizard." They had expanded nasal bones on the top of their heads, allowing them to breathe easily while eating. Brachiosaurus Generative AI Notification: Some elements of this image have been created or enhanced using AI technology. To find out how we create all our dinosaurs, click here. Brachiosaurus was a herbivore, which means it only ate plants. Its long neck allowed it to reach the leaves at the tops of tall trees, like a giraffe. It had peg-like teeth perfect for stripping leaves off branches but did not chew its food. Instead, it swallowed stones, called gastroliths (also known as stomach stones), to help mash up the food in its stomach. Gastroliths were also eaten by other dinosaurs and are still eaten by modern crocodiles. Fossil remains of Brachiosaurus have been found in Africa, North America, and Europe. Scientists once thought these dinosaurs lived in water because of their size, but now they believe Brachiosaurus lived on land, browsing the treetops for food. What is a Brachiosaurus?
How big was Brachiosaurus?
Appearance
What did Brachiosaurus eat?
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Pronounced: BRACK-ee-oh-SAW-rus
Brachiosaurus Facts
Name Means: "Arm Lizard"
Length: 82 feet (25 m)
Height: 43 feet (13 m)
Weight: 75 - 80 tons (68,000 - 72,500 kg)
Diet: Herbivore (Plants)
Time: Middle to Late Jurassic - 150 million years ago
Habitat: Open
Woodland
Fossils Found: Africa, Europe, North America
• Brachiosaurus lived in herds, with larger adults protecting the young from predators. • Despite their massive size, Brachiosaurus skeletons were strong but not overly heavy, enabling them to move on land without the support of water. • Scientists believe Brachiosaurus spent most of their time eating due to their large size and the poor nutritional quality of their plant-based diet. At first, scientists thought Brachiosaurus lived in water because its nostrils were located on the top of its head, similar to a snorkel. However, they later discovered that the water pressure would have made it impossible for them to breathe underwater. Why Were They So Big? One theory is that Brachiosaurus's massive size helped protect it from predators like Allosaurus. Another theory suggests that their large digestive tracts were necessary to process the tough, fibrous plants they ate. Q1: What are Brachiosaurus? A1: Brachiosaurus were large, herbivorous dinosaurs that lived during the Late Jurassic period, approximately 154 to 150 million years ago. They are known for their long necks, small skulls, and distinctive giraffe-like posture due to their longer front legs compared to their hind legs. Q2: How big was Brachiosaurus? A2: Brachiosaurus could reach lengths of up to 82 feet (25 meters) and weigh between 75 to 80 tons. They stood about 43 feet (13 meters) tall from head to ground. Q3: Did Brachiosaurus have feathers? A3: No, Brachiosaurus did not have feathers. They had scaly skin, similar to other sauropods. Q4: Were Brachiosaurus intelligent? A4: Brachiosaurus had relatively low intelligence compared to other dinosaurs. Their brain-to-body size ratio was among the lowest, indicating limited cognitive abilities. Q5: What did Brachiosaurus eat? A5: Brachiosaurus were herbivores and primarily fed on high vegetation such as leaves, ferns, and conifers. Their long necks allowed them to reach foliage that other herbivores couldn’t. Q6: Did Brachiosaurus live in herds? A6: Yes, Brachiosaurus likely lived in herds. This social behavior would have provided protection against predators and facilitated finding food. Q7: How did Brachiosaurus evolve? A7: Brachiosaurus evolved from earlier sauropod dinosaurs. They are part of the family Brachiosauridae, which includes other similar long-necked dinosaurs. Q8: What new discoveries have been made about Brachiosaurus? A8: Recent discoveries include more complete skeletons and new insights into their biomechanics and body shape. For example, a nearly complete upper arm bone was found in Utah, providing more details about their size and structure. Q9: What were the unique features of Brachiosaurus? A9: Brachiosaurus had several unique features, including their longer front legs, which gave them a giraffe-like stance, and their ability to reach high vegetation. They also had a relatively short tail compared to other sauropods. Intersting Facts
Mistaken Identity
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