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Patagotitan: The Largest Dinosaur Ever Found
Discovering the Dinosaur Colossus: A Record-Breaking Fossil
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Discovery Chepe Id-436-ECO
Published in
09-02-2024
The largest dinosaur known to date is the Patagotitan mayorum. This giant roamed the Earth millions of years ago and its fossil remains were discovered in Patagonia, Argentina.
Why is the Patagotitan so special?
1- Colossal size: It is estimated that it could reach 37 meters in length and weigh around 70 tons. It was like several buses put together!
2- Very tall neck: Its neck was extremely long, allowing it to reach the highest leaves on trees without moving much.
3- Diet: Like many other dinosaurs of its kind, the Patagotitan was herbivorous and spent much of the day eating to maintain its enormous body.
How does it compare to other dinosaurs?
While the Patagotitan takes the crown as the largest known dinosaur, there are other giants that also impress, such as the Argentinosaurus and the Diplodocus. However, paleontologists continue to discover new species and it is possible that even larger dinosaurs will be found in the future.
A Prehistoric Giant: Unveiling the Largest Dinosaur
How was it discovered?
1- A chance find: In early 2013, a ranch worker in Chubut Province, Argentina, stumbled upon a bone sticking out of the ground. Noticing its unusual size and shape, he notified paleontologists.
2- A monumental excavation: Following the notification, a team of researchers from the Egidio Feruglio Paleontological Museum headed to the site and began an exhaustive excavation. As they progressed, they realized they had found something truly exceptional: the remains of a giant dinosaur.
3- Multiple individuals: The most surprising thing was that they found the bones of not only one individual, but at least six different specimens of this new species. This provided scientists with a wealth of data to study and better understand these colossi.
Where was it discovered?
The Patagotitan fossils were found in the Cerro Barcino Formation, located in central Argentine Patagonia. This region has become a hot spot for paleontological discoveries, as it has revealed a wealth of fossils of dinosaurs and other prehistoric animals.
Titanosaur (Patagotitan mayorum), the Field Museum, Chicago. Foto P.L. Tandon.
The great importance of this discovery
A giant without equal: Patagotitan mayorum is considered the largest land animal known to date. Its colossal size and the number of fossils found have revolutionized our understanding of sauropod dinosaurs.
This discovery allows us to look into a lost world, where gigantic herbivorous dinosaurs ruled the Earth. The Patagotitan fossils are an invaluable treasure for science, as they provide a wealth of information about the anatomy, biology and behaviour of these animals.
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