Giraffatitan

Overview

Giraffatitan brancai was a massive sauropod dinosaur from the Late Jurassic period, originally discovered in the Tendaguru Formation of Tanzania. Closely related to Brachiosaurus, Giraffatitan is notable for its exceptionally tall stance—researchers estimate its total height could have exceeded 39 ft (12 m) when measured to the top of the head, making it among the tallest dinosaurs known. This colossal herbivore likely used its long neck to browse vegetation from tree canopies unavailable to most other dinosaurs in its ecosystem.

Anatomical comparisons to Brachiosaurus reveal significant differences, particularly in vertebrae and limb proportions, leading to Giraffatitan’s classification as a distinct genus. Its skeleton showcased elongated forelimbs that contributed to its giraffe-like posture, hence the name “Giraffatitan.” Fossils of this dinosaur have provided paleontologists with deep insights into sauropod growth, biomechanics, and feeding strategies during the Jurassic.

Quick Facts

Diet

Herbivore (ferns, conifers, high-canopy foliage)

Weight

~30–50 tons (est.)

Length

~70–85 ft (~21–26 m)

Speed

~5 mph (est. walking speed)

Bite Force

~300 psi (estimated for a large sauropod)

Discovery & Significance

Giraffatitan fossils were originally excavated by German expeditions in the early 20th century, led by paleontologist Werner Janensch. Once considered part of Brachiosaurus, subsequent studies identified enough distinct traits to grant it a separate genus name, emphasizing its extraordinary height and morphological features.

These discoveries in Tanzania’s Tendaguru Formation remain some of the most important sauropod finds in Africa. They showcase evolutionary adaptations for supporting great weight and height, such as sturdy limb bones and air-filled vertebrae that reduced the skeleton’s mass. Giraffatitan’s towering build likely made it a dominant herbivore in its environment, influencing the structure of Late Jurassic ecosystems across what is now East Africa.

Giraffatitan vs. Other Tall Sauropods

More Details

Giraffatitan was a towering sauropod from the Late Jurassic Tendaguru Formation in what is now Tanzania. Long associated with the famous North American Brachiosaurus, more recent research has shown that the African fossils actually represent a separate genus. Standing on four columnar limbs and bearing a remarkably long neck, Giraffatitan features a giraffe-like build, matching its name’s nod to “titanic giraffe.” Specimens like HMN SII have served as iconic reference points for reconstructing both the animal’s immense size and its evolutionary ties to other brachiosaurids. Found between approximately 145 and 150 million years old layers, Giraffatitan was once considered the largest known dinosaur. Later discoveries indicate that other giants, such as certain titanosaurians, may have been even heavier. The well-studied skeleton in Berlin’s Natural History Museum stands as a subadult example, roughly 22 meters long and around 12 meters tall at the shoulder, often touted as the tallest mounted dinosaur skeleton in the world. Larger remains, most notably a fibula 13% bigger than the corresponding bone in HMN SII, hint that fully grown adults could have reached 23 to 26 meters, weighing somewhere between 40 and 48 metric tons. Giraffatitan’s high-arched skull presents a striking silhouette, with a large nasal crest previously believed to house a snorkel-like nostril for aquatic life. However, modern studies clarify that the fleshy nostrils were more likely situated near the tip of the snout, rendering underwater breathing improbable. Its teeth were “spatulate,” adapted for biting off plant material, and the powerful neck muscles suggest extensive browsing. Within the Tendaguru Formation, Giraffatitan coexisted with numerous other dinosaurs, including Dicraeosaurus and Kentrosaurus, in environments ranging from shallow coastal flats to well-vegetated inland areas. While no longer holding the title of absolute largest, Giraffatitan remains vital to our understanding of sauropod evolution, offering a wealth of anatomical data and fueling debates on gigantism, thermoregulation, and posture in these long-necked titans of the Mesozoic world.

References & Further Reading