Brachiosaurus was a massive plant-eating dinosaur that lived in
the late Jurassic period
(156 to 145 million years ago), and may
have survived even until 140 million years ago, into the early
Cretaceous period.
Brachiosaurus fossils
have been found in North America and Africa (although some scientists argue that
the African variety should be
classified into a separate genus, which they call
"Giraffatitan").
The very first example of the animal was discovered
by Elmer S. Riggs in Grand River Canyon,
western Colorado
in 1900.
Of all the land animals for which a complete skeleton exists, Brachiosaurus
is the largest and heaviest. An average Brachiosaurus was 75 feet (22.9 meters)
long, 41 feet (12.5 meters) tall, and weighed 89 tons (almost three times
the weight of Apatosaurus).
Brachiosaurus was unusual
among dinosaurs, in that its front legs were longer than
its hind legs. This, together with its very long neck,
gave Brachiosaurus the ability to eat foliage at the
top of trees as high as 40 or 50 feet (12.2 to 15.2 meters) above the ground.
Brachiosaurus was a herbivore (plant-eater) that lived from 156 to 140 million years ago
Related Information & Resources
See Also
African Dinosaurs -
Brachiosaurus lived in North America and Africa (although some scientists argue that the African variety should be classified as a separate genus, which they call "Giraffatitan").
Cretaceous Period -
Brachiosaurus lived between about 156 million years ago and 140 million years ago, during the late Jurassic and early Cretaceous periods
Jurassic Period -
Brachiosaurus lived between about 156 million years ago and 140 million years ago, during the late Jurassic and early Cretaceous periods
North American Dinosaurs -
Brachiosaurus lived in North America and Africa (although some scientists argue that the African variety should be classified as a separate genus, which they call "Giraffatitan").
"Brachiosaurus" means "arm lizard" (because its forelimbs are considerably longer than its hind limbs). This name was chosen by its discoverer, Elmer S. Riggs.
Brachiosaurus was a member of the Saurischia ("lizard-hipped") order of dinosaurs. What this means, is that although Brachiosaurus was not closely related to lizards, it did have similarly shaped pelvic bones.
Brachiosaurus was a Sauropod - a member of a group of related large quadrupedal herbivorous (plant-eating) dinosaur with long necks.
Brachiosaurus lived between about 156 million years ago and 140 million years ago, during the late Jurassic and early Cretaceous periods.
Brachiosaurus lived in North America and Africa (although some scientists argue that the African variety should be classified as a separate genus, which they call "Giraffatitan").
Brachiosaurus was a herbivore (plant-eater).
Brachiosaurus was about 75 feet (22.9 meters) long, and 41 feet (12.5 meters).
Brachiosaurus weighed about 89 tons.
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