{"product_id":"giganotosaurus-2","title":"Giganotosaurus carolinii","description":"\u003cp data-end=\"819\" data-start=\"95\"\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cstrong data-end=\"123\" data-start=\"95\"\u003eGiganotosaurus carolinii\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e was one of the largest carnivorous theropod dinosaurs known and likely the \u003cstrong data-end=\"252\" data-start=\"209\"\u003edominant apex predator of South America\u003c\/strong\u003e during the early \u003cstrong data-end=\"312\" data-start=\"275\"\u003eLate Cretaceous (Cenomanian)\u003c\/strong\u003e, approximately \u003cstrong data-end=\"363\" data-start=\"335\"\u003e99.6–95 million years ago\u003c\/strong\u003e, in what is now Argentine Patagonia. It belonged to the \u003cstrong data-end=\"448\" data-start=\"423\"\u003eCarcharodontosauridae\u003c\/strong\u003e, a lineage of large predators more closely related to \u003cem data-end=\"531\" data-start=\"519\"\u003eAllosaurus\u003c\/em\u003e than to \u003cem data-end=\"559\" data-start=\"540\"\u003eTyrannosaurus rex\u003c\/em\u003e. It was formally described in 1995 by paleontologists Rodolfo Coria and Leonardo Salgado, based on a remarkably complete skeleton discovered by Rubén Carolini, whose surname lends its name to the species (\u003cem data-end=\"779\" data-start=\"768\"\u003ecarolinii\u003c\/em\u003e). \u003cspan data-state=\"closed\" class=\"\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 data-end=\"895\" data-start=\"821\" data-section-id=\"1dxbif9\"\u003eDimensions: One of the Largest Terrestrial Predators in History\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp data-end=\"981\" data-start=\"897\"\u003eModern estimates place the \u003cem data-end=\"961\" data-start=\"945\"\u003eGiganotosaurus\u003c\/em\u003e holotype at approximately:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul data-end=\"1286\" data-start=\"983\"\u003e\n\n\u003cli data-end=\"1014\" data-start=\"983\" data-section-id=\"gvkfze\"\u003e\n\n\u003cstrong data-end=\"998\" data-start=\"985\"\u003eLength:\u003c\/strong\u003e ~12–13 meters\u003c\/li\u003e\n\n\u003cli data-end=\"1092\" data-start=\"1015\" data-section-id=\"1b605xk\"\u003e\n\n\u003cstrong data-end=\"1026\" data-start=\"1017\"\u003eWeight:\u003c\/strong\u003e ~7–8 tons (with some models proposing higher figures)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\n\u003cli data-end=\"1150\" data-start=\"1093\" data-section-id=\"1xdecct\"\u003e\n\n\u003cstrong data-end=\"1118\" data-start=\"1095\"\u003eHip Height:\u003c\/strong\u003e around \u003cstrong data-end=\"1148\" data-start=\"1132\"\u003e3.5–4 meters\u003c\/strong\u003e\n\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\n\u003cli data-end=\"1286\" data-start=\"1151\" data-section-id=\"imomvm\"\u003e\n\n\u003cstrong data-end=\"1164\" data-start=\"1153\"\u003eSkull:\u003c\/strong\u003e ~1.5–1.6 meters long, though older reconstructions suggested up to 1.8 m. \u003cspan data-state=\"closed\" class=\"\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\n\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\n\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp data-end=\"1565\" data-start=\"1288\"\u003eThere is also a second mandibular specimen (\u003cstrong data-end=\"1347\" data-start=\"1335\"\u003eMUCPv-95\u003c\/strong\u003e) that might belong to a slightly larger individual, suggesting animals potentially close to \u003cstrong data-end=\"1496\" data-start=\"1451\"\u003e13.2–13.5 meters and up to ~8.5–9 tons\u003c\/strong\u003e, though this remains debated. \u003cspan data-state=\"closed\" class=\"\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 data-end=\"1630\" data-start=\"1567\" data-section-id=\"jxymxn\"\u003eAnatomy: A Hunter Designed to Inflict Massive Wounds\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp data-end=\"1793\" data-start=\"1632\"\u003eUnlike \u003cem data-end=\"1667\" data-start=\"1648\"\u003eTyrannosaurus rex\u003c\/em\u003e, whose skull was optimized to withstand extreme crushing forces, \u003cem data-end=\"1761\" data-start=\"1745\"\u003eGiganotosaurus\u003c\/em\u003e had distinct biomechanics:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4 data-end=\"1835\" data-start=\"1795\"\u003eLong, relatively light skull\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp data-end=\"1853\" data-start=\"1836\"\u003eIt possessed a skull that was:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul data-end=\"2026\" data-start=\"1855\"\u003e\n\n\u003cli data-end=\"1918\" data-start=\"1855\" data-section-id=\"11e4g4u\"\u003eLonger and proportionally lower than that of a tyrannosaur.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\n\u003cli data-end=\"1952\" data-start=\"1919\" data-section-id=\"19el701\"\u003eLess structurally robust.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\n\u003cli data-end=\"2026\" data-start=\"1953\" data-section-id=\"mtu3ub\"\u003eEquipped with large fenestrae (skull openings) to reduce weight.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\n\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp data-end=\"2045\" data-start=\"2028\"\u003eIts teeth were:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul data-end=\"2205\" data-start=\"2047\"\u003e\n\n\u003cli data-end=\"2087\" data-start=\"2047\" data-section-id=\"5gwi1l\"\u003e\n\n\u003cstrong data-end=\"2086\" data-start=\"2049\"\u003eLong and laterally compressed\u003c\/strong\u003e.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\n\u003cli data-end=\"2111\" data-start=\"2088\" data-section-id=\"do8tsb\"\u003eStrongly serrated.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\n\u003cli data-end=\"2205\" data-start=\"2112\" data-section-id=\"lpu2bn\"\u003eDesigned to \u003cstrong data-end=\"2162\" data-start=\"2129\"\u003ecut deeply into flesh\u003c\/strong\u003e, comparable to serrated blades.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\n\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp data-end=\"2394\" data-start=\"2207\"\u003eThe strategy likely involved \u003cstrong data-end=\"2312\" data-start=\"2248\"\u003einflicting massive open wounds and significant blood loss\u003c\/strong\u003e, rather than bone-crushing like \u003cem data-end=\"2355\" data-start=\"2347\"\u003eT. rex\u003c\/em\u003e. \u003cspan data-state=\"closed\" class=\"\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4 data-end=\"2426\" data-start=\"2396\"\u003eLimbs and locomotion\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp data-end=\"2478\" data-start=\"2427\"\u003eIts body was relatively slender for its size:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul data-end=\"2671\" data-start=\"2480\"\u003e\n\n\u003cli data-end=\"2527\" data-start=\"2480\" data-section-id=\"iyyfwq\"\u003eLong, muscular hind limbs.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\n\u003cli data-end=\"2563\" data-start=\"2528\" data-section-id=\"yjzlp1\"\u003ePowerful tail for stabilization.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\n\u003cli data-end=\"2671\" data-start=\"2564\" data-section-id=\"vk8e2q\"\u003eProportionally small but functional arms, with \u003cstrong data-end=\"2670\" data-start=\"2622\"\u003ethree fingers armed with large, curved claws\u003c\/strong\u003e.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\n\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp data-end=\"2966\" data-start=\"2673\"\u003eThe femur was longer than the tibia, suggesting an animal designed more for \u003cstrong data-end=\"2819\" data-start=\"2753\"\u003epower and endurance than for high sustained speeds\u003c\/strong\u003e. Even so, it could probably move surprisingly fast for a predator over seven tons. \u003cspan data-state=\"closed\" class=\"\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 data-end=\"3006\" data-start=\"2968\" data-section-id=\"mvf5kd\"\u003eBrain, Senses, and Behavior\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp data-end=\"3073\" data-start=\"3008\"\u003eEndocranial studies suggest that \u003cem data-end=\"3065\" data-start=\"3049\"\u003eGiganotosaurus\u003c\/em\u003e possessed:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul data-end=\"3212\" data-start=\"3075\"\u003e\n\n\u003cli data-end=\"3105\" data-start=\"3075\" data-section-id=\"szqbs6\"\u003e\n\n\u003cstrong data-end=\"3104\" data-start=\"3077\"\u003eA good sense of smell\u003c\/strong\u003e.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\n\u003cli data-end=\"3153\" data-start=\"3106\" data-section-id=\"1h3kgsw\"\u003eReasonably developed binocular vision.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\n\u003cli data-end=\"3212\" data-start=\"3154\" data-section-id=\"1r52e94\"\u003eWell-adapted balance for a large, active predator.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\n\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp data-end=\"3624\" data-start=\"3214\"\u003eWhile there is no definitive evidence, some paleontologists have suggested that related large carcharodontosaurids, such as \u003cem data-end=\"3352\" data-start=\"3340\"\u003eMapusaurus\u003c\/em\u003e, might have exhibited some degree of \u003cstrong data-end=\"3413\" data-start=\"3393\"\u003ecooperative hunting\u003c\/strong\u003e, especially against giant sauropods. This has led to speculation—with caution—that \u003cem data-end=\"3521\" data-start=\"3505\"\u003eGiganotosaurus\u003c\/em\u003e might have exhibited limited social behaviors. \u003cspan data-state=\"closed\" class=\"\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 data-end=\"3667\" data-start=\"3626\" data-section-id=\"ktd39i\"\u003ePaleoecology: The Hunter of Giants\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp data-end=\"3890\" data-start=\"3669\"\u003eIt lived in the \u003cstrong data-end=\"3705\" data-start=\"3681\"\u003eCandeleros Formation\u003c\/strong\u003e, a semi-arid ecosystem with large river systems and riparian vegetation in Cretaceous Patagonia. It shared its habitat with some of South America's most impressive animals:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul data-end=\"4071\" data-start=\"3892\"\u003e\n\n\u003cli data-end=\"3946\" data-start=\"3892\" data-section-id=\"iwxin6\"\u003eThe gigantic titanosaur \u003cstrong data-end=\"3945\" data-start=\"3921\"\u003eLimaysaurus tessonei\u003c\/strong\u003e.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\n\u003cli data-end=\"3992\" data-start=\"3947\" data-section-id=\"1f0a8jf\"\u003eRebbachisaurids and other enormous sauropods.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\n\u003cli data-end=\"4022\" data-start=\"3993\" data-section-id=\"h3ljd3\"\u003eTerrestrial crocodylomorphs.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\n\u003cli data-end=\"4071\" data-start=\"4023\" data-section-id=\"1eb9ejc\"\u003eSmall theropod and ornithischian dinosaurs.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\n\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp data-end=\"4307\" data-start=\"4073\"\u003eMany researchers believe that one of its primary prey might have been \u003cstrong data-end=\"4193\" data-start=\"4153\"\u003elarge titanosauriform sauropods\u003c\/strong\u003e, using repeated attacks to weaken animals much larger than itself. \u003cspan data-state=\"closed\" class=\"\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 data-end=\"4347\" data-start=\"4309\" data-section-id=\"u77dxq\"\u003eLarger than Tyrannosaurus rex?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp data-end=\"4405\" data-start=\"4349\"\u003eThis is one of the classic debates in paleontology.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-end=\"4422\" data-start=\"4407\"\u003eIn terms of:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul data-end=\"4800\" data-start=\"4424\"\u003e\n\n\u003cli data-end=\"4541\" data-start=\"4424\" data-section-id=\"uchkwa\"\u003e\n\n\u003cstrong data-end=\"4448\" data-start=\"4426\"\u003eBody length:\u003c\/strong\u003e \u003cem data-end=\"4465\" data-start=\"4449\"\u003eGiganotosaurus\u003c\/em\u003e was probably \u003cstrong data-end=\"4497\" data-start=\"4484\"\u003elonger\u003c\/strong\u003e than most \u003cem data-end=\"4538\" data-start=\"4530\"\u003eT. rex\u003c\/em\u003e specimens.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\n\u003cli data-end=\"4656\" data-start=\"4542\" data-section-id=\"1o4dmww\"\u003e\n\n\u003cstrong data-end=\"4562\" data-start=\"4544\"\u003eBody mass:\u003c\/strong\u003e the largest \u003cem data-end=\"4583\" data-start=\"4575\"\u003eT. rex\u003c\/em\u003e (like \"Sue\" or \"Scotty\") were probably \u003cstrong data-end=\"4653\" data-start=\"4627\"\u003eheavier and more robust\u003c\/strong\u003e.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\n\u003cli data-end=\"4709\" data-start=\"4657\" data-section-id=\"1dmmeto\"\u003e\n\n\u003cstrong data-end=\"4681\" data-start=\"4659\"\u003eBite force:\u003c\/strong\u003e \u003cem data-end=\"4690\" data-start=\"4682\"\u003eT. rex\u003c\/em\u003e clearly wins.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\n\u003cli data-end=\"4800\" data-start=\"4710\" data-section-id=\"1u61nwq\"\u003e\n\n\u003cstrong data-end=\"4753\" data-start=\"4712\"\u003eCutting ability and cranial reach:\u003c\/strong\u003e \u003cem data-end=\"4770\" data-start=\"4754\"\u003eGiganotosaurus\u003c\/em\u003e possibly had an advantage.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\n\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp data-end=\"4916\" data-start=\"4802\"\u003eEssentially, they were giant predators specialized in very different ways. \u003cspan data-state=\"closed\" class=\"\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 data-end=\"4944\" data-start=\"4918\" data-section-id=\"1c3f93e\"\u003eScientific Importance\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp data-is-only-node=\"\" data-is-last-node=\"\" data-end=\"5393\" data-start=\"4946\"\u003e\u003cem data-end=\"4972\" data-start=\"4946\"\u003eGiganotosaurus carolinii\u003c\/em\u003e is one of the most important large theropod fossils from the Southern Hemisphere because it demonstrated that \u003cstrong data-end=\"5125\" data-start=\"5067\"\u003eNorth America did not monopolize giant predators\u003c\/strong\u003e. It also helped reveal that \u003cstrong data-end=\"5184\" data-start=\"5159\"\u003eCarcharodontosauridae\u003c\/strong\u003e reached sizes comparable—or even greater in length—to tyrannosaurids, occupying the role of apex predators before the expansion of \u003cem data-end=\"5354\" data-start=\"5335\"\u003eTyrannosaurus rex\u003c\/em\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eApproximate measurements of the Giganotosaurus:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003e1:60 Scale Complete\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\n\u003cul\u003e\n\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eLength 161 mm\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eHeight 67 mm\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eWidth 72 mm\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eSnout-to-tail length 207 mm\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\n\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003e1:35 Scale Assembly Kit\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\n\u003cul\u003e\n\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eLength 275 mm\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eHeight 114 mm\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eWidth 124 mm\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eSnout-to-tail length 355 mm\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\n\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\n\u003c\/ul\u003e","brand":"Dino and Dog","offers":[{"title":"1:60 \/ Unprimed","offer_id":54819144827148,"sku":"DC-1420-160-SINI","price":49.9,"currency_code":"EUR","in_stock":true},{"title":"1:60 \/ Primed","offer_id":54819144859916,"sku":"DC-1420-160-IMPRI","price":56.9,"currency_code":"EUR","in_stock":true},{"title":"1:60 \/ Hand-painted","offer_id":54819144892684,"sku":"DC-1420-160-PINTA","price":160.0,"currency_code":"EUR","in_stock":true},{"title":"1:35 \/ Unprimed","offer_id":54819142861068,"sku":"DC-1419-135-SINI","price":69.3,"currency_code":"EUR","in_stock":true},{"title":"1:35 \/ Primed","offer_id":54819142893836,"sku":"DC-1419-135-IMPRI","price":79.3,"currency_code":"EUR","in_stock":true},{"title":"1:35 \/ Hand-painted","offer_id":54819142926604,"sku":"DC-1419-135-PINTA","price":235.6,"currency_code":"EUR","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0672\/1106\/7660\/files\/Giganotosaurus_21.jpg?v=1780644406","url":"https:\/\/dinosauriacreatures.com\/en\/products\/giganotosaurus-2","provider":"Dinosauria Creatures","version":"1.0","type":"link"}