Patagotitan Dinosaurs Weighed More Than 25 Pickup Trucks

Patagotitan mayorum is estimated to have been about 77 tons (70 metric tonnes) and 122 feet (37.2 meters) long, which would make it the largest dinosaur we know of.

Patagotitans were likely the largest titanosaurs, which were a group characterized by their long necks, massive bodies and relatively small heads. They had thick, wide-set, column-like legs that provided stability for their heavy bodies.

The femurs (leg bones) that were discovered alongside other fossilized bones of Patagotitans measured nearly 8 feet (2.4 meters) tall. Size estimates make it a contender for the largest animal ever to roam Earth.

Patagotitans were believed to have lived in herds, moving together to find food. Living in a group likely offered safety from predators such as therapods, which were a danger to young Patagotitans.

Fossilized nests found in Argentina revealed large clusters of eggs buried in the ground under layers of soil. This strategy may have been critical for survival, as the sheer number of eggs laid ensured that at least some hatchlings would survive to adulthood.

Patagotitans were herbivores, so their diet likely included leaves, ferns and cycads. The long neck of the dinosaur allowed it to reach the tallest trees, where it could feed on leaves that were inaccessible to smaller plant-eaters.

Unlike modern herbivores, Patagotitan didn't chew its food. Instead, it swallowed vegetation whole, relying on a complex digestive system to break down the tough plant material. Modern-day giraffes and elephants similarly rely on their digestive tract to process food without chewing it thoroughly.

During the time of Patagotitan, Earth was a lush and vibrant place, filled with dense forests and open plains. It was warm and humid. Floodplains and river valleys provided fresh water and vegetation.

The life of a Patagotitan mayorum began as a hatchling, emerging from an egg that was surprisingly small, given the size of the adult.

Hatchlings grew rapidly, reaching 10 times their initial size within just a couple months. This fast growth rate was essential, as it allowed them to outgrow predators quickly and join the safety of the herd.

As adults, Patagotitan faced few threats, but their immense size came with its own set of challenges. Moving such a massive body required enormous energy, and injuries could be catastrophic. Despite this, evidence suggests they could live for decades, dominating their ecosystems during their lifetimes.

Titanosaurs includes other species such as Argentinosaurus and Dreadnoughtus, which were slightly smaller than Patagotitan but still enormous.

We created this article with AI technology, then made sure it was fact-checked and edited by a HowStuffWorks editor.