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Os 10 maiores dinossauros para sempre andar na Terra
Das alturas imponentes do Supersaurus na América do Norte ao maravilhoso Argentinosaurus, este artigo dá vida à
escala inspiradora e à diversidade de saurópodes. Vamos nos maravilhar com esses gigantes antigos que uma vez
governaram a Terra, que não eram apenas os maiores dinossauros, mas também provavelmente os maiores animais
terrestres de todos os tempos.
1. Supersaurus: “Super Lizard”
Atributo Detalhe
Família Diplodocidae (peça)
Encontrado em Hotéis em Morrison Formation, Colorado
Dieta Herbívora
Viveu 153-145 mya (em versão 153-145 my
Comprimento do 42 m
Altura 17 m
Estimativa de peso 40.000 kg
Recreação artística de
Supersaurus. Crédito da
imagem: LadyofHats/Wikimedia
Commons
O Supersaurus, apropriadamente chamado por seu tamanho, era um saurópode que habitava a América do Norte,
há cerca de 153 a 145 milhões de anos. O “super lagarto” é um dos maiores dinossauros conhecidos. As estimativas
sugerem que o Supersaurus poderia ter se estendido até 42 metros de comprimento e pesava até 40 toneladas.
“Jimbo”, um espécime descoberto em Wyoming, em 1986, tinha um esqueleto completo de 30%, reunindo o quebra-
cabeça do holótipo do Supersaurus. Como herbívoro, o Supersaurus usou seu pescoço longo para uma navegação
alta, alimentando-se de vegetação que outros dinossauros não podiam acessar.
2. Maraapunisaurus: “Enorme Lagarto”
Atributo Detalhe
Família Rebbachisauridae (Tradução)
Encontrado em Jardim Park, Colorado
Dieta Herbívora
Viveu ? 150 mya
Comprimento do 58 m
Altura 7,5 m
Estimativa de peso 150.000 kg
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diplodocidae
https://cdn.zmescience.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/Supersaurus_dinosaur.png
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rebbachisauridae
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Restauração em tamanho real do Maraapunisaurus. Crédito da imagem: Wikimedia Commons
Maraapunisaurus fragillimus é um gigante que já foi envolto em mistério. Inicialmente conhecido como Amphicoelias,
baseado em uma única vértebra, é um concorrente para o título de dinossauro mais longo. Edward Drinker Cope
descreveu pela primeira vez a vértebra no século XIX, sugerindo um imenso saurópode. No entanto, as estimativas
de tamanho inicial variaram devido ao registro fóssil incompleto. O nome “fragillimus” sugere a fragilidade da única
peça óssea identificada. O fóssil já foi perdido no tempo, transformando o dinossauro em uma lenda do mundo
paleontológico.
Despite the disappearance of the physical evidence, the recorded dimensions have fueled ongoing debates about the
true size of Maraapunisaurus. Some speculate it could reach lengths up to 58 m and a weight of around 150 tons.
This sauropod’s classification has fluctuated, with some recent discussions suggesting it might belong to the
Rebbachisauridae family.
3. Argentinosaurus: “Argentina Lizard”
Family Titanosauria
Found in Neuquén, Argentina
Diet Herbivorous
Lived 96-92 mya
Length 35 m
Height 14 m
Weight estimate 50,000-100,000 kg
Artist’s recreation of Argentinosaurus. Credit: Nobu Tamura/Wikimedia Commons
Argentinosaurus huinculensis reached up to 35 meters in length and weighed around 100,000 kg. This giant roamed
present-day Argentina 96 million years ago, hence the dinosaur’s name “Argentina Lizard”.
This sauropod’s massive size is inferred from fragmentary remains, including vertebrae, ribs, and limb bones, found
encased in hard rock. The story of its discovery began in 1987 when Guillermo Heredia stumbled upon what he
initially thought were petrified logs. This find, later excavated by José F. Bonaparte and his team, introduced
Argentinosaurus to science, giving us our first description of the creature. Argentinosaurus is a titanosaur, a subgroup
of dinosaurs known for their long necks and tails. The extensive neck facilitated reaching high vegetation to sustain
its enormous body on a diet of high-canopy tough plants. Due to its immense size, paleontologists speculate it took
15 years for Argentinosaurus hatchlings to reach adulthood. It’s probably only during this period in this animal’s life
cycle that Argentinosaurus was vulnerable against predators like Giganotosaurus.
4. Patagotitan: “Patagonian Titan”
Attribute Detail
Family Titanosauria
Found in La Flecha, Argentina
https://cdn.zmescience.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/Maraapunisaurus.jpg
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amphicoelias
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Edward_Drinker_Cope
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Titanosauria
https://cdn.zmescience.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/Argentinosaurus.jpg
https://www.zmescience.com/feature-post/natural-sciences/geology-and-paleontology/dinosaurs/dinosaur-names-complete-your-vocabulary-with-these-awesome-dinosaurs/
https://www.zmescience.com/feature-post/natural-sciences/geology-and-paleontology/dinosaurs/argentinosaurus/
https://www.zmescience.com/feature-post/natural-sciences/geology-and-paleontology/dinosaurs/giganotosaurus/
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Titanosauria
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Attribute Detail
Diet Herbivorous
Lived ~100 mya
Length 38 m
Height ~13 m
Weight estimate 77,000 kg
Artist’s recreation of Patagotitan. Credit: Mariolanzas/Wikimedia Commons
The next titanosaur on our list is Patagotitan, the “Patagonian Titan”. This Argentinian giant could reach an incredible
38 meters in length, towered 13 meters in height, and weighed around 77,000 kg. It was first discovered on La Flecha
Ranch after a ranch worker noticed a large fossil protruding from the ground. This led to the excavation of hundreds
of bones belonging to at least six individuals of the species. These individuals seemed to be buried across three
distinct flood events. Such a wealth of material makes Patagotitan one of the most completely known titanosaurs.
Patagotitan was a quadrupedal herbivore, characterized by its long neck and tail, which it used to browse for food. Its
teeth were designed for stripping vegetation, allowing it to consume a diet comprised mostly of tough plant material.
Living in the Early Cretaceous period, about 100 million years ago, Patagotitan’s environment was heavily forested.
Like modern elephants, these sauropods would have had to consume vast amounts of vegetation, possibly eating for
up to 20 hours a day to sustain their massive bodies.
5. Dreadnoughtus: “Fears Nothing”
Attribute Detail
Family Titanosauria
Found in Cerro Fortaleza Formation, Argentina
Diet Herbivorous
Lived 84-66 mya
Length ~26 m
Height 9 m
Weight estimate 48,000 kg
https://cdn.zmescience.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/Patagotitan_restoration_2019.png
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Titanosauria
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Dreadnoughtus size comparison. Credit: GunnarBivens/DeviantArt
Dreadnoughtus represents the most complete titanosaur skeleton paleontologists have ever found. It had an
estimated length of 26 meters and a weight of around 48 metric tons. The animal was discovered in Argentina and
has provided significant insights into the life of titanosaurs that were often represented by fragmentary fossils. Named
for its seemingly invincible size, akin to the dreadnought battleships, the term “Dreadnoughtus” implies “fears nothing”
reflecting its position on top of the food chain. The preservation of more than half of its skeleton has allowed scientists
to conduct detailed studies of Dreadnoughtus’ anatomy. The largest known specimen had apparently not yet reached
its full size, indicating that it could have grown even larger.
Dreadnoughtus lived in Patagonia, Argentina, during a period characterized by warm climates and rich biodiversity.
Its massive size would have required a continuous intake of vegetation. The animal’s long neck would have helped it
reach from high canopies as well as ground-level plants.
6. Futalognkosaurus: “Giant Chief Lizard”
Attribute Detail
Family Titanosauria
Found in Neuquén, Argentina
Diet Herbivorous
Lived 94-86 mya
Length 26-30 m
Height ~10 m
Weight estimate 33,000
Artist’s recreation of Futalognkosaurus. Credit: Nobu Tamura/Wikimedia Commons
Futalognkosaurus (allow me to help: FOO-tə-long-ko-SAW-rəs) translatesto “Giant Chief Lizard” in the Mapuche
language. Discovered in Neuquén, Argentina, in 2000, it wasn’t formally described until 2007 by paleontologist Jorge
Calvo and his team. This Late Cretaceous giant lived between 94 and 86 million years ago and was among the
https://cdn.zmescience.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/dreadnoughtus_schrani_multiview_skeletal_by_gunnarbivens_dg34ekt-350t.jpg
https://www.nature.com/articles/srep06196
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Titanosauria
https://cdn.zmescience.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/Futalognkosaurus_BW_flipped.jpg
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mapuche_language
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largest dinosaurs ever discovered. Initial length estimates range between 32 to 34 meters. However, more recent
assessments suggest a length closer to 26 meters and a weight of 33 tons.
Futalognkosaurus‘ was discovered alongside other fauna, including Megaraptor and Unenlagia in the same site. The
titanosaur’s long neck was possibly over a meter thick due to tall neural spines. Just like his long-necked dinosaur
cousins before him, Futalognkosaurus was a herbivore, feeding on the abundant vegetation of its time.
7. Turiasaurus: “Turia Lizard”
Attribute Detail
Family Turiasauria
Found in Kimmeridgian Villar del Arzobispo Formation, Spain
Diet Herbivorous
Lived ~145 mya
Length 30-35 m
Height 12 m
Weight estimate 48,000 kg
Artist’s recreation of Turiasaurus. Credit: Mario Lanzas/Wikimedia Commons
Turiasaurus, the “Turia lizard,” is a remarkable sauropod discovered in the Kimmeridgian Villar del Arzobispo
Formation of Teruel, Spain. This dinosaur, known from a single fossil specimen, stands out due to its immense size,
making it the largest dinosaur ever found in Europe. Estimates of its length have varied over time, with early guesses
suggesting it could be over 35 meters long. This significant size places it as a prominent figure among the sauropods
of its time.
Turiasaurus lived during the Jurassic-Cretaceous transition. Its habitat was supposedly a coastal floodplain with a mix
of muddy and sandy regions. Turiasaurus‘ diet was herbivorous, similar to other sauropods, requiring it to consume
vast quantities of vegetation to sustain its massive body. Scientists think that this dinosaur formed herds for
protection, as its size alone would not have made it completely immune to predators.
8. Giraffatitan: “Giraffe Titan”
Attribute Detail
Family Brachiosauridae
Found in Tendaguru Formation, Tanzania
Diet Herbivorous
Lived 154-142 mya
Length 23 m
Height 13 m
Weight estimate ~ 35,000 kg
https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Ruben_Valieri/publication/275889369_Re-sizing_giants_estimation_of_body_lenght_of_Futalognkosaurus_dukei_and_implications_for_giant_titanosaurian_sauropods/links/554a58df0cf21ed21358e36e/Re-sizing-giants-estimation-of-body-lenght-of-Futalognkosaurus-dukei-and-implications-for-giant-titanosaurian-sauropods.pdf
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Megaraptor
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Unenlagia
https://www.zmescience.com/feature-post/natural-sciences/geology-and-paleontology/dinosaurs/long-necked-dinosaurs-sauropods/
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Turiasauria
https://cdn.zmescience.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/Turia_wiki.jpg
https://books.google.com/books?id=d-HFDwAAQBAJ
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brachiosauridae
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Artist’s recreation of Giraffatitan. Credit: Dimitry Bogdanov/Wikimedia Commons
Giraffatitan, once considered a species of Brachiosaurus, is a distinct genus of sauropod dinosaur that lived during
the Late Jurassic period, approximately 154-142 million years ago. This massive herbivore came to light in the
Tendaguru Formation in Tanzania, Africa. It’s known for its long neck and tail, with an estimated length of 23 meters,
earning the nickname “giraffe titan.”
The discovery of Giraffatitan began in the early 20th century, led by German paleontologist Werner Janensch. The
Tendaguru expeditions of 1909 unearthed numerous Giraffatitan fossils alongside other dinosaur species. Based on
these findings, Giraffatitan was then crowned as the largest land animal that ever lived until the discovery of the
titanosaurs that dethroned it.
Giraffatitan’s diet consisted of high-reaching vegetation, which it could access thanks to its elongated neck. This neck
had up to 19 vertebrae and measured a staggering 11 meters in length. For comparison, the humble giraffe’s neck is
slightly longer than two meters. The Jurassic dinosaur’s locomotion was on all four legs, supported by broad, flat
soles and large, clawless toes adapted to bear its immense weight.
9. Brachiosaurus: “Arm Lizard”
Attribute Detail
Family Brachiosauridae
Found in Colorado River Valley, Colorado
Diet Herbivorous
Lived 150–130 mya
Length 26 m
Height 13 m
Weight estimate 36,000 kg
Artist’s recreation of Brachiosaurus. Credit: Charles Nye/Wikimedia Commons
https://cdn.zmescience.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/Giraffatitan_DB.jpg
https://www.zmescience.com/feature-post/natural-sciences/geology-and-paleontology/dinosaurs/brachiosaurus/
https://www.zmescience.com/feature-post/natural-sciences/geology-and-paleontology/dinosaurs/jurassic-dinosaurs/
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brachiosauridae
https://cdn.zmescience.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/Brachiosaurus_altithorax_side_profile-1.png
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Brachiosaurus altithorax, a sauropod, roamed North America during the Late Jurassic period, approximately 150
million years ago. The name Brachiosaurus translates to “arm lizard,” a nod to its unusually long arms, and
“altithorax” means “deep chest.” Brachiosaurus is estimated to have reached lengths of 26 meters and weighed about
35 tons. Its distinctive body structure, characterized by longer forelimbs than hindlimbs, resulted in a steeply inclined
trunk, a feature that set it apart from other sauropods.
This dinosaur is known from the Morrison Formation and is considered one of the rarer sauropods from this
geological formation. It was a high browser, likely using its long neck to feed on top canopy vegetation. Brachiosaurus
was also initially once considered to be the largest dinosaur, contributing to its iconic appearance in popular culture,
notably in the 1993 film “Jurassic Park”.
10. Sauroposeidon: “Lizard Earthquake God”
Attribute Detail
Family Titanosauria
Found in rural Oklahoma
Diet Herbivorous
Lived 89-110 mya
Length 27-34 m
Height 18.5 m
Weight estimate ~60,000 kg
Artist’s recreation of Sauroposeidon. Credit: Levi Bernardo/Wikimedia Commons
Sauroposeidon, a name that evokes the grandeur of the “earthquake god Poseidon,” may very well be the tallest
dinosaur ever described. Discovered in the late 20th century in North America, this dinosaur is estimated to have
reached up to 18.5 meters tall. Living during the Early Cretaceous, Sauroposeidon’s massive size suggests it lived a
largely unchallenged life, with very few predators being capable of posing a threat. The Cretaceous dinosaur’s long
neck, supported by a relatively lightweight, air-filled bone structure, would have allowed it to graze on high canopy
vegetation, covering vast areas in search of food without the need for constant relocation. Thus, fossil evidence
suggests that Sauroposeidon was a highly successful species, thriving in the lush, forested environments of
prehistoric North America.
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