Brachiosaurus altithorax is one of the most iconic and well-known sauropod dinosaurs that lived during the Late Jurassic period, approximately 154-153 million years ago. This majestic giant belonged to the sauropod family, characterized by their massive bodies, columnar legs, long necks and relatively small heads.
The most notable thing about Brachiosaurus altithorax is its characteristic high-necked posture. Unlike many other sauropods that kept their necks horizontal or tilted slightly downward, Brachiosaurus had a neck that rose upward at a steep angle, allowing it to reach higher vegetation in trees and ferns. This made it a herbivore specialized in the upper part of vegetation, a unique adaptation that distinguishes it from other sauropod dinosaurs.
Brachiosaurus altithorax was a dinosaur of enormous dimensions. It is estimated that it reached a length of up to 23 meters and a height of about 12 meters at the hip. Its body was supported by four robust, columnar legs, which allowed it to support its enormous weight. Its front legs were significantly longer than its hind legs, which contributed to its characteristic high-necked stance.
Its head was small compared to the size of its body and was equipped with chisel-shaped teeth that it used to tear leaves and branches from trees and plants. However, unlike some other herbivorous dinosaurs, Brachiosaurus altithorax may also have ingested stones to aid in the digestion process, a behavior known as gastrolithiasis.
This dinosaur inhabited what is now North America, specifically what is now the western United States, where it lived in environments that included forested areas and coastal areas. Their diet consisted mainly of plants such as ferns, conifers and cycads, which were abundant in their environment.
Approximate measurements of the Brachiosaurus:
- Scale 1:150 - 122x95mm (160mm dorsal length) mm
- Scale 1:100 - 150 mm
- Scale 1:35 - 550 mm
