Brachiosaurus

B. altithorax (type)

Description and environment

Brachiosaurus was a sauropod, one of a group of four-legged, plant-eating dinosaurs with long necks and tails, and tiny brains. Unlike other families of sauropods, it had a giraffe-like build, with long forelimbs and a raised neck, which it probably used to graze in the tops of trees. It had teeth like chisels (spatulate), and nostrils on the top of its head, which may indicate it had a good sense of smell. It had a number of holes in its skull to reduce weight. The first toe on its front foot, and the first three on its hind feet had claws. They may have traveled in herds.

Related Topics:
Sauropod - Four-legged - Plant-eating - Neck - Tail - Brain - Families - Giraffe - Teeth - Nostril - Smell - Toe - Claw - Herd

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It used to be theorized that it used the nostrils on the top of its head like a snorkel, and spent most of its time submerged in water to help support its great mass. However, it is now believed that it was a fully terrestrial animal. Studies have shown that the water pressure would be too great for it to breathe while submerged, and its feet are too narrow, and would sink into the mud.

Related Topics:
Snorkel - Terrestrial - Water pressure

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Like all of the other "long-necked" dinosaurs, the Brachiosaurus’ neck was heavy and when it held it in a upright position for too long time, it would not get any blood to the brain. It might have stood at the edge of the forests and waved the head up and down, while it systematically removed all the eatable food on the trees.

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If the Brachiosaurus was warm-blooded, it is estimated that it would take ten years to reach full size. If it were cold-blooded, then it would take over 100 years to do so. If it were warm-blooded, it would have to eat more than 400 lbs. (200 kg) a day, but a lot less if it were not.

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