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PaleoPete — Giraffatitan

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Published: 2023-06-07 06:34:28 +0000 UTC; Views: 2860; Favourites: 105; Downloads: 21
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Description On a late afternoon during an exceptionally severe drought, a few herbivores, the small and agile ornithopod Dysalotosaurus as well as two sauropods Dicraeosaurus, are gathering around a shrinking waterhole. They are disturbed by an enormous new-comer: The giant sauropod Giraffatitan.

This scene plays during the Late Jurassic of Tanzania, Africa, about 150 million years ago. All animals were found in the fossil-rich Tendaguru formation.

Giraffatitan was a truly majestic animal. With a length of 25 m (82 ft), a height of nearly 16 m (52 ft) and a weight of 48 tons, it was one of the largest animals to ever roam on land. The characteristic longer front legs let it reach enormous heights, making it specialized for foraging on tall trees. They are also the reason for the name of the closely related genus 'Brachiosaurus', which it was formerly assigned to. 'Giraffatitan' means 'titan giraffe', a name that not fully encompasses its wonderful appearance.

Dicraeosaurus was a relatively small sauropod, reaching 15 m (49 ft) in length. While Giraffatitan fed on tree tops, Dicraeosaurus fed on vegetation at lower levels.

Dysalotosaurus was a small ornithopod, adapted for running on its hindlegs. It was around 2.5 m (8 ft) long.

Around Giraffatitan, the pterosaur Tendaguripterus can be seen flying. It was a small pterodactyloid pterosaur with a wingspan of around 1 m (3 ft).

Digital Painting by 'Paleo Pete' Peter Nickolaus, 2023. E-Mail: contact.paleopete@gmail.com
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