Overview
Brachiosaurus was one of the largest dinosaurs that ever lived and could browse vegetation at heights no other animal could reach. Unlike most sauropods, its forelimbs were longer than its hindlimbs, meaning its back sloped downward from shoulder to hips. It needed to consume over 400 kg of plant material every day to fuel its massive body.
Key fact
Its front legs were longer than its back legs — unusual for a sauropod — giving it a giraffe-like posture to browse treetops.
Did you know?
- Could raise its head to nearly 9 metres — the height of a 3-storey building.
- Its nostrils were once thought to allow it to breathe while submerged; now we know it lived on dry land.
- Heart would have needed to pump blood 9 metres upward — possibly had multiple hearts.
- Closely related to Giraffatitan, a nearly identical African cousin.