The Earth’s Biggest Dinosaurs
Dinosaurs include some of the
largest land animals ever to roam the Earth. The Age of Dinosaurs began
approximately 245 million years ago. A mass extinction 65 million years ago
ended the reign of these creatures. Some dinosaurs were as small as today’s
dogs and chickens, while others stood over five stories tall. Scientists
believe that large dinosaurs were able be reach their massive sizes due to a huge
metabolism.
Argentinosaurus
Argentinosaurus
was a sauropod that lived in the late Cretaceous period and one of the largest
dinosaurs found to date. Paleontologists found this herbivore in Argentina.
Skeletal remains indicate this this gigantic dinosaur stood approximately 70
feet tall, was 120 feet long and weighed in at roughly 220,000 pounds. Paleontologists
discovered a vertebra of the Argentinosaurus that was over four feet thick,
which was a good indication of its massive size.
Shantungosaurus
Shantungosaurus was a
hadrosaur who lived in the late Cretaceous period. These duck-billed dinosaurs
were herbivores that were 25 feet high, 51 feet long and weighed approximately
14,000 pounds. Paleontologists discovered the Shantungosaurus in China. While
it walked on four legs, scientists believe that this dinosaur possibly was
capable or running on two legs.
Brachiosaurus
Brachiosaurus
is a commonly known herbivore which a characteristically long neck.
Paleontologists discovered a complete skeleton of a Brachiosaurus in Tanzania.
These sauropod dinosaurs were popular in the late Jurassic period, stood 50
feet tall, and were 100 feet long. Brachiosaurus weighed approximately 120,000
pounds. The Tanzanian skeleton had neck vertebra that were over three feet
long.
Seismosaurus
Seismosaurus is a large
sauropod that lived in the late Jurassic period. This dinosaur is an herbivore
that was first discovered in New Mexico. Seismosaurus was 84 feet tall and 150
feet long, which is approximately half the length of a football field. This
large dinosaur weighed 200,000 pounds. Skeletal fossils have not produced large
limb bones; therefore, paleontologists surmise that the dinosaur may have had
short legs for its stature.
Supersaurus
Supersaurus is another diplodocid
of the Late Jurassic period. This herbivore was 65 feet tall, 120 feet long and
weigh in at approximately 120,000 pounds. A famous fossil skeleton of
Supersaurus was found in 1972 in Colorado. This skeleton revealed a 39-foot long
neck and a partial shoulder bone that was 8 feet long. This partial bone
indicated the overall height of the dinosaur to be over five stories tall. Supersaurus
had a long neck, tapered tail and a long, narrow head. The fossil skeleton
found in 1972 was located near the fossil remains of another large dinosaur,
Ultrasaurus.
Tyrannosaurus
One of the most popular dinosaurs,
the Tyrannosaurus was a large carnivore that stood on two legs. Fossil
skeletons discovered in North America and Asia indicates that Tyrannosaurus was
23 feet tall, 50 feet long and weighed 16,000 pounds. These dinosaurs were common
in the late Cretaceous period. This dinosaur is very agile and can reach
running speeds of 30 miles per hour. The Tyrannosaurus Rex species has been
featured in more movies than any other dinosaur, often illustrating is powerful
jaws and long, serrated teeth.
Ultrasaurus
Ultrasaurus is a large
herbivore that lived in the Late Jurassic time. Paleontologists discovered this
dinosaur in Colorado with Supersaurus. Ultrasaurus grew to heights of 53 feet
and lengths of 100 feet and weighed approximately 140,000 pounds. This dinosaur
looked similar to Brachiosaurus with a small head and short tail for its size.
Ultrasaurus had a long neck, similar to a giraffe, and legs that looked like
solid pillars.
Diplodocus
Diplodocus is an herbivore
that lived in the Late Jurassic time. A fossil skeleton was first discovered in
the western United States. Diplodocus was 30 feet high, 89 feet long and
weighed 55,000 pounds. Interestingly, Diplodocus has 15 bones in its neck and
70 to 90 bones in its tail. This dinosaur had a long nose with nostrils on top
and one of the smallest brains of all dinosaurs. Diplodocus has longer legs in
the back than the front, which helped it reach plants at different heights.
Barosaurus
Barosaurus was a large
herbivore that also lived in the Late Jurassic time. This rare dinosaur was another
of the sauropods. Standing 40 feet height, Barosaurus was 79 feet long and
weighed 50,000 pounds. The first Barosaurus was discovered in the South Dakota
Black Hills with other fossil skeletons discovered in East Africa. Barosaurus
is a relative of the diplodocus and looked similar; however, Barosaurus had a
shorter tail and stouter legs.