Overview
Patagotitan mayorum was a gigantic titanosaur sauropod from the
Late Cretaceous of what is now Patagonia, Argentina.
With estimates suggesting it could reach lengths of over 100–115 feet
(30–35 m) and weigh roughly 70–77 tons, Patagotitan ranks among
the largest land animals ever discovered. Its name alludes to its homeland in Patagonia
and the titanic scale of its remains.
Fossil excavations began around 2012, with formal descriptions published in 2017.
Patagotitan’s colossal bones provide insight into how titanosaurs achieved such vast
sizes, including specialized skeletal structures, hollowed vertebrae to reduce weight,
and column-like limbs to support extreme bulk.
Quick Facts
Diet
Herbivore (fed on conifers, cycads, other vegetation)
Weight
~70–77 tons (est.)
Length
Up to ~100–115 ft (~30–35 m)
Speed
~5 mph (estimated walking pace)
Bite Force
~500 psi (estimated)
Discovery & Significance
Local ranch workers in Patagonia first found Patagotitan bones, prompting a major
excavation by Argentine and international paleontologists. Over 200 fossils
from at least six individuals were unearthed, shedding light on the species’
skeletal variation. Paleontologist José Luis Carballido and
colleagues formally described Patagotitan mayorum in 2017 in the journal
Proceedings of the Royal Society B.
These finds reveal evolutionary adaptations for super-massive herbivores,
including extensive air sacs to lighten bone structure and robust, pillar-like
limbs. Patagotitan stands as a key reference for studying how titanosaurs
thrived in Late Cretaceous ecosystems, coexisting with other giant herbivores
and carnivorous predators in what is now southern Argentina.
More Details
They say that size can be relative, but when it comes to Patagotitan, most people agree it was enormous. That would imply there’s no single magic number everyone can point to and say, “Yes, that’s it!” Some researchers prefer comparing vertebrae, others rely on digital volumetric models, and still others use long-established scaling equations. As a result, it’s no surprise that estimates for Patagotitan’s length have ranged anywhere from 31 to 37 meters, and its mass is subject to a margin of error large enough to feed endless debates. Some days you’ll hear it’s bigger than Argentinosaurus, other days you’ll hear folks say they’re about the same.
I have a friend who was thrilled at the prospect of meeting the “largest dinosaur ever.” He read somewhere that Patagotitan clocked in at 69 tonnes, only to be confused later by a study claiming it might be closer to a “mere” 50–57 tonnes. Naturally, he asked me: “So which is it? Are we talking the heavyweight champion of the Cretaceous world or just another big sauropod?” And that’s the fun part—fossil data is rarely carved in stone, pun intended. Each new find, each re-measurement, can shift our perspective, sometimes by tonnes of mass or several meters of length.
Yet one thing remains consistent: Patagotitan’s story is captivating. Discovered in Argentina’s Cerro Barcino Formation and dating back around 101 million years, its partial skeletons were carefully excavated over multiple seasons, revealing a titan that likely roamed among dense conifer forests. This environment shaped how these giants lived, fed, and ultimately perished. Alongside close relatives like Argentinosaurus and Puertasaurus, Patagotitan showcases how some titanosaurs evolved truly colossal proportions. For many museums, from Trelew to New York, mounting a replica of Patagotitan has become a highlight—letting visitors stand in awe beneath the towering silhouette of this “giant from Patagonia.” At the end of the day, whether it was 31 or 37 meters, 50 or 70 tonnes, Patagotitan humbly reminds us that even our biggest numbers might still only tell part of the story.