Introduction
Argentinosaurus is one of the largest land animals ever discovered (including both extinct and living species).
While Jurassic sauropods like Brachiosaurus, Apatosaurus, and Diplodocus are famous, Argentinosaurus is a genus that lived during the Cretaceous period.
About Argentinosaurus
| Scientific Name (Genus) | Argentinosaurus |
| Meaning of Name | Argentine lizard Argentina [country name] - sauros (lizard) [Greek] |
| Classification | Saurischia, Sauropodomorpha (Sauropoda) |
| Total Length | Approx. 30-40m |
| Diet | Herbivorous |
| Period | Early to Late Cretaceous (approx. 112-93.5 million years ago) |
| Species Name | Argentinosaurus huinculensis |
| Year of Paper Publication | 1993 |
| Genus Name Publication | Bonaparte, J.F. and Coria, R.A. (1993). Un neuvo y gigantesco Saurópodo Titanosaurio de la Formación Río Limay (Albiano-Cenomaniano) de la Provincia del Neuquén, Argentina. |
Features
Argentinosaurus is famous as one of the largest land animals in history, but surprisingly, its fossils are very fragmentary, consisting only of parts of the spine, leg bones, and pelvis. Its incredible estimated size—30 to 35 meters in length and 60 to 83 tons in weight—is based on comparisons with more complete skeletons of close relatives (like Patagotitan).
A single dorsal vertebra of Argentinosaurus is 130-160 cm long, and its tibia is about 155 cm. From these measurements, its total length is estimated to be about 30 meters, and its weight between 60 and 83 tons (equivalent to 10 African elephants).
As an animal's body gets larger, its legs must become stronger to support it. To maintain such a large body and powerful muscles, a corresponding amount of food is essential. Also, a powerful pump (heart) is needed to send oxygen (blood) throughout the body.
The massive size of Argentinosaurus is said to be "probably the limit for a land animal."
In 2013, a study was conducted to estimate the walking speed of Argentinosaurus. Using musculoskeletal analysis, its speed was determined to be 2 m/sec, which is about 7 km/h.
In May 2014, news broke of the discovery of a new large dinosaur that surpassed Argentinosaurus in size.
This dinosaur, believed to be a titanosaur, was also unearthed in Argentina.
It has not yet been given a scientific name.
Considerations on Size
Argentinosaurus is one of the largest animals in history. Therefore, many researchers have used various methods to estimate its size.
- In early research in 1994, freelance paleontologist and renowned paleoartist Gregory Scott Paul estimated the length of Argentinosaurus to be 30-35m and its weight to be 80-100t.
- The reconstructed skeleton on display at the Museo Carmen Funes in Argentina is 39.8m long.
- In 2004, the weight was calculated to be 83t based on the volume of the skeletal specimen housed at the Museo Carmen Funes.
- In 2006, a comparative analysis with Saltasaurus estimated the length of Argentinosaurus to be 30m.
Fossil Discovery and Publication
Source: Bonaparte, J.F. and Coria, R.A. (1993).
The first Argentinosaurus fossil was discovered in 1987 by a rancher. It was from the Huincul Formation (about 96-94 million years ago) in the Neuquén Province of Argentina. Although it is now known to be a fibula (the smaller bone in the lower leg), the discoverer initially thought it was a "giant petrified log."
In 1993, Argentine paleontologists Bonaparte and Rodolfo Coria described the type species, Argentinosaurus huinculensis.
The known fossils of Argentinosaurus consist of about 10 pieces, including dorsal vertebrae, a fibula, and ribs.
Argentinosaurus Stamp & Fossil Gallery
