The Brontosaurus is a dinosaur with a long neck and a whip-like tail. It moves on four legs and is a herbivore. We have all the cool facts, seven key features, and a profile on the Brontosaurus for you.
For a long time, the dinosaur Brontosaurus was considered the same as the Apatosaurus. As early as 1903, it was removed as its own genus of saurian. However, according to a 2015 study, it turns out it is its own genus after all.
Cool Facts About the Brontosaurus
Cool Facts About the Brontosaurus
In this chapter, we’ll tell you where the Brontosaurus was found and what its name means. You’ll also learn how it differs from the Apatosaurus and why the two were confused.
Discovery Sites of the Dinosaur
Like many other dinosaur skeletons, the fossils of the Brontosaurus were found in the Morrison Formation in North America. The discovery sites were in the US states of Wyoming and Utah.
The first Brontosaurus find in Wyoming was first described by paleontologist Othniel Charles Marsh in 1879. A skull has not yet been found to this day.
However, scientists are able to roughly reconstruct the skull based on close relatives from the Diplodocidae family. The species found so far are Brontosaurus excelsus, yahnahpin, and parvus.
Meaning of the Name
The first specimen, Brontosaurus excelsus, was first described and named in 1879 by Othniel Charles Marsh. He was an American dinosaur researcher who, for example, also first described the Triceratops in 1889.
The name "Brontosaurus" is composed of the ancient Greek words "brontē" for "thunder" and "sauros" for "lizard." So, the name can be translated as "Thunder Lizard."
Because Brontosaurus was long used synonymously with Apatosaurus, that name appears more frequently in many contexts. Examples include old scientific journals as well as older books or documentaries about dinosaurs. Another synonym that was used in the past is "Elosaurus."
Difference from Apatosaurus
Difference from Apatosaurus
The dinosaur genera Brontosaurus ("Thunder Lizard") and Apatosaurus ("Deceptive Lizard") were used as synonyms for a long time. Apatosaurus was described first, which is why that name was registered as valid.
They looked similar, were of similar size, and both lived in similar habitats during the Late Jurassic, from 157.3 to 145 million years ago.
It wasn’t until 2015 that a study showed that the two Diplodocidae were likely different genera after all. For comparison, here are the key stats for both Apatosaurus and Brontosaurus.
Apatosaurus
- Meaning: Deceptive Lizard
- Length: 21 meters
- Weight: 20 tons
- Height: 4.5 meters (at the hip)
- Period: Late Jurassic
Brontosaurus
- Meaning: Thunder Lizard
- Length: 22 meters
- Weight: 30 tons
- Height: 5 meters (at the hip)
- Period: Late Jurassic
7 Features of the Brontosaurus
Below you’ll find the most important features of the Brontosaurus. This includes the classification of its genus and species, its habitat, and its diet.
You’ll learn everything about important physical characteristics like its weight, size, and speed. We’ll also tell you when Brontosaurus lived and approximately how old it could get.
Classification of the Genus and Species
Brontosaurus belongs to the Diplodocidae family
Dinosaurs can be divided into two orders, the lizard-hipped dinosaurs (Saurischia) and the bird-hipped dinosaurs (Ornithischia). Brontosaurus belongs to the lizard-hipped dinosaurs. Furthermore, it can be assigned to the group of sauropods within the Sauropodomorpha.
Sauropods (Sauropoda) are generally long-necked herbivores with small heads that move on four legs. In technical terms, four-legged animals are called quadrupedal.
The Brontosaurus also belongs to the Diplodocidae family, which also includes Apatosaurus, Supersaurus, and Diplodocus. The species discovered so far are Brontosaurus excelsus, Brontosaurus yahnahpin, and Brontosaurus parvus.
When Brontosaurus Lived
This dinosaur lived about 157.3 to 145 million years ago towards the end of the Jurassic (Late Jurassic). The specific time periods are known as the Kimmeridgian and Tithonian.
The Kimmeridgian began 157.3 million years ago and ended 152.1 million years ago. The Tithonian followed this period and ended 145 million years ago, at the same time as the end of the Jurassic.
Habitat
Brontosaurus lived in North America. During the time of the dinosaurs, a so-called "warm climate" prevailed on our Earth. It differs from the Ice Age in which we live today.
The climate back then was consistently warm and sometimes subtropical. The poles were not frozen, which is why the sea level was higher than it is today. There were both desert landscapes and dense forests.
The body of the Brontosaurus was built to pluck leaves from tall trees. To maintain its body weight, it needed huge amounts of plants. So we can assume that it lived in a landscape with many tall trees. Brachiosaurus and Apatosaurus lived in North America at the same time as Brontosaurus.
Body Structure and Posture
Body structure and posture of the dinosaur
Brontosaurus moved on four strong legs. Its front legs were slightly shorter than its hind legs. There were four toes on each foot, both front and back. On the front legs, however, two enlarged toes with an inwardly curved claw are noticeable.
The dinosaur also had a long neck and a small, flat head, similar to an Apatosaurus or Diplodocus. Its long tail became thinner towards the end, so it was shaped like a whip.
The Brontosaurus mostly carried its tail above the ground. Its neck and head probably ran more or less parallel to the ground. However, the prehistoric giant was able to stretch it far upwards to reach food.
It is often depicted with its head held high. However, sauropods were probably not able to keep their heads held high permanently. Otherwise, their brains would not have received enough blood, as the heart was not strong enough.
Another distinguishing feature of the Brontosaurus is its dorsal spines, which run in two rows on its front back. In some depictions, they are clearly highlighted as dragon-like spikes, while in others they remain under the skin.
Weight, Size, and Speed
This prehistoric giant grew to be between 18 and 22 meters long. Its shoulder height was about 5 meters, and its total height could increase to 14 meters when it reared up. With an estimated weight of 30 tons, it is one of the heaviest dinosaurs ever.
The top speed of sauropods was probably no higher than 25 kilometers per hour. Their walking speed was about 2 to 4 kilometers per hour. Fossilized footprints indicate this.
The incredible size of dinosaurs is also referred to as "gigantism." Researchers can only guess the exact reason for it. One cause could have been food scarcity.
Sauropods could reach trees up to 14 meters high, where they had to share their food with hardly anyone else. Also, the large surface area of their bodies allowed them to absorb and distribute heat very well.
Since they were very likely warm-blooded, they could store their heat well and release it only slowly. With this trick, they could even continue to eat at night when it had already cooled down, giving them more energy for the next day.
Lifestyle and Diet
Sauropods fed mostly on high-growing plants
Brontosaurus was a herbivore and, like all sauropods, fed mainly on leaves and needles that grew on tall trees. However, low-growing plants like ferns were probably also on the menu.
The teeth of Diplodocidae like Brontosaurus were pin-shaped. In this respect, they differ, for example, from the Brachiosauridae like Brachiosaurus, which had more spatula-shaped teeth. The pin-like teeth of Brontosaurus suggest that it probably must have eaten softer plants.
Many researchers assume that sauropods lived in herds at least during the breeding season and laid eggs. Numerous egg finds suggest that most dinosaurs probably laid eggs. In addition, nests and eggs of the not yet clearly assigned sauropod genus Titanosaurus have been found.
Life Expectancy
Paleontologists have not yet been able to determine how old Brontosaurus could get at maximum. However, there are estimates that large sauropods like it could live to be between 50 and 120 years old.
'Smaller' dinosaur species like Tyrannosaurus rex or Triceratops horridus probably did not live longer than 40 years. However, due to the harsh environmental conditions, very few dinosaurs probably reached their actual life expectancy.
Profile: The Brontosaurus
Profile: The Brontosaurus
In this profile, you’ll find all the important features of the Brontosaurus summarized. This includes its classification, details on size and weight, as well as special physical characteristics.
The stated speed is based on estimates that researchers have made for other sauropods. Since they are all similar in stature and size, it can be assumed that the herbivorous long-necks all reached a comparable speed.
- Genus Name:
Brontosaurus ("Thunder Lizard") - Known Species:
B. excelsus, B. yahnahpin, B. parvus. - Family:
Diplodocidae - Group:
Sauropods - Suborder:
Sauropodomorpha - Order:
Lizard-hipped dinosaurs (Saurischia) - Period:
Jurassic (Late Jurassic, 157.3–145 million years ago) - Habitat:
North America (Wyoming, Utah) - Diet:
Herbivore - Physical Characteristics:
Small head, long neck, whip-like tail, longer hind legs than front legs, dorsal spines on the front back - Length:
about 18–22 meters - Weight:
about 30 tons - Speed:
Walking about 2–4 km/h, running probably 20–25 km/h
The Patagotitan mayorum is considered the largest dinosaur discovered to date. It was up to 37 meters long and weighed 70 tons. Its femur alone is 2.40 meters long.
This giant sauropod was only discovered in South America in 2012 and lived in the mid-Cretaceous period, 107 to 96 million years ago.
Brontosaurus vs. Brachiosaurus – A Comparison
Brachiosaurus
Brontosaurus ("Thunder Lizard") and Brachiosaurus ("Arm Lizard") are often compared because they are the most famous long-necked dinosaurs. Distinguishing them is sometimes not so easy. That’s why we’ve compiled a list of the most important data for you.
Visually, the biggest difference between the two animals is probably that Brachiosaurus has proportionally longer front legs than hind legs. Brontosaurus, on the other hand, has shorter front legs than hind legs.
Another distinguishing feature is the head. Brachiosaurus had a head that was curved upwards from the nose and quite short. Brontosaurus’s head, however, is flatter and longer. Brachiosaurus is also slightly larger and probably heavier than Brontosaurus.
Regarding the total height, you’ll find quite disparate values in the list. They range from the usual height of the head to the estimated height when the animal rears up to get food.
Brontosaurus
- Meaning: Thunder Lizard
- Length: 22 meters
- Weight: 30 tons
- Total Height: Up to 14 meters
- Shoulder Height: 5 meters
- Period: Late Jurassic
Brachiosaurus
- Meaning: Arm Lizard
- Length: 26 meters
- Weight: 40 tons
- Total Height: Up to 16 meters
- Shoulder Height: 6.4 meters
- Period: Late Jurassic
Brontosaurus in the Media
Brontosaurus is as well-known as Spinosaurus, Velociraptor, Archaeopteryx, or Ankylosaurus. Famous long-necked dinosaurs that resemble it are Brachiosaurus and Diplodocus.
The most famous Brontosaurus from the media is Littlefoot from the children’s movie "The Land Before Time" (1988). He also plays the main role in sequels to the film and in his own series.
Furthermore, the Brontosaurus is mentioned in "Jurassic Park" (1993), "Jurassic World" (2015), and "Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom" (2018). It is known from dino books, as a stuffed animal or toy figure for children, and can be tamed and ridden in the video game "ARK: Survival Evolved" (2017).
Extinction of the Brontosaurus
Extinction of the Brontosaurus
Brontosaurus went extinct about 145 million years ago at the end of the Jurassic period. It walked our Earth for about 12.3 million years.
For comparison: Humans only began to slowly evolve 2.6 million years ago during the Stone Age. Modern humans (Homo sapiens) have only existed for over 300,000 years.
During the Jurassic, the climate and environment changed. There were strong fluctuations in sea level, and living conditions changed.
Brontosaurus went extinct naturally over time, like many other genera. It probably could no longer find enough food for its huge body size.
66 million years ago, the mass extinction of the dinosaurs and other animal groups occurred. Researchers assume that about 50 percent of genera and 20 percent of animal families went extinct at that time.
The event falls on the time boundary between the Cretaceous and the Paleogene. The triggers for the extinction were likely a 14-kilometer-large meteorite, several volcanic eruptions, and the rapid drop in sea level.
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