Brontosaurus Facts
Pronunciation: BRON-toe-SORE-us
Name meaning: Thunder Lizard
| Diet | Herbivore |
| Height | 4.5m |
| Length | 22m |
| Weight | 15 tonnes |
| Speed | 15 km/h |
| Environment | Land |
| Era | Jurassic |
| Period | Late Jurassic |
| Type | Sauropod |
| Location | United States |
Brontosaurus was one of the most famous sauropod dinosaurs, living in what is now the western United States during the Late Jurassic period, approximately 156 to 146 million years ago. This massive herbivore roamed the floodplains and forests of the Morrison Formation in present-day Wyoming and Utah, where its fossils have been discovered.
As a sauropod, Brontosaurus was built for size rather than speed. It measured up to 22 metres in length and weighed around 15 tonnes, standing about 4.5 metres tall at the hips. Its most distinctive features included an enormously long neck containing 15 vertebrae, which allowed it to reach high into the tree canopy, and an equally impressive whip-like tail that may have been used for defence or communication.
Brontosaurus fed on ferns, conifers, and other plant matter available during the Late Jurassic. Its small head housed peg-like teeth perfect for stripping leaves from branches, which it would swallow whole to be processed in its massive gut. Like other sauropods, it likely swallowed stones called gastroliths to help grind up tough plant material in its stomach.
For over a century, scientists considered Brontosaurus to be the same animal as its close relative Apatosaurus, but detailed research in 2015 confirmed they were distinct genera. This vindicated the thunder lizard's place in palaeontology and popular culture, where it remains the archetypal long-necked dinosaur.
What made Brontosaurus distinctive?
Brontosaurus had an exceptionally long neck with 15 vertebrae, a relatively robust build compared to other sauropods, and a long whip-like tail. Its neck was slightly shorter and thicker than that of its close relative Apatosaurus, giving it a more compact appearance.
Behaviour
Brontosaurus likely lived in herds, moving slowly across the Late Jurassic landscape in search of food. Its long neck allowed it to feed at different heights without moving its massive body, whilst its tail may have been used as a whip-like weapon against predators or for communication with other herd members.
Brontosaurus in Popular Culture
Brontosaurus has appeared in countless films, books and cartoons, including The Land Before Time franchise and various King Kong movies. It's often featured as the classic 'long-necked dinosaur' in children's books and toys.
Discovery
Brontosaurus was first described by Othniel Charles Marsh in 1879. The original fossils were discovered at Como Bluff, Wyoming, USA.
Brontosaurus FAQ
What did Brontosaurus eat?
Brontosaurus was a herbivore that fed on ferns, conifers, cycads, and other
Late Jurassic plants. It used its long neck to reach high vegetation and had simple, peg-like teeth for stripping leaves, which it swallowed whole for digestion in its massive stomach.
How big was Brontosaurus?
Brontosaurus was enormous, measuring up to 22 metres long, standing 4.5 metres tall at the hips, and weighing approximately 15 tonnes. This made it one of the larger sauropod dinosaurs, though not quite as massive as some later species.
When did Brontosaurus live?
Brontosaurus lived during the
Late Jurassic period, specifically between 156 and 146 million years ago during the Kimmeridgian and Tithonian ages. This was a time when the climate was warm and humid, perfect for the lush vegetation these giants needed.
Where was Brontosaurus found?
Brontosaurus fossils have been discovered in the western United States, particularly in the Morrison Formation rocks of Wyoming and Utah. The first specimen was found at Como Bluff, Wyoming, in 1879 by teams working for palaeontologist Othniel Charles Marsh.
How do you pronounce Brontosaurus?
Brontosaurus is pronounced 'BRON-toe-SORE-us', with emphasis on the first syllable. The name breaks down as 'bronto' meaning thunder and 'saurus' meaning lizard, giving us the famous 'thunder lizard'.
What does Brontosaurus mean?
Brontosaurus means 'thunder lizard' in Greek. This dramatic name was chosen by Othniel Charles Marsh in 1879 because he imagined these massive dinosaurs would have made the ground shake like thunder when they walked.
How fast could Brontosaurus run?
Brontosaurus was not built for speed and likely moved at a steady walking pace of around 15 km/h at most. Its enormous size and weight meant it was more like a living tank, designed for reaching food rather than escaping predators through speed.
What type of dinosaur was Brontosaurus?
Brontosaurus was a sauropod dinosaur, specifically a member of the Diplodocidae family. Sauropods were the largest land animals that ever lived, characterised by their long necks, long tails, small heads, and four pillar-like legs.
Was Brontosaurus related to birds?
Like all dinosaurs, Brontosaurus was distantly related to modern birds, but it belonged to the saurischian (lizard-hipped) group rather than the direct bird lineage. Birds evolved from small theropod dinosaurs, whilst Brontosaurus was a sauropod - a very different branch of the dinosaur family tree.
How many Brontosaurus fossils have been found?
Several Brontosaurus specimens have been discovered since 1879, though complete skeletons are rare. The original specimen lacked a skull, and it took decades to find appropriate Brontosaurus skulls, leading to the famous mix-up with
Apatosaurus heads in museum displays.
