Brontosaurus Facts

Brontosaurus lived in North America about 154-145 million years ago during the Late Jurassic period. It belonged to the sauropod family of dinosaurs, known for their large size and long necks.

The environment the Brontosaurus lived in was dominated by swamps, forests and rivers. Being herbivorous the Brontosaurus would feed on cycads, and other vegetation.

Brontosaurus was approximately 25-30 meters long and 8.5 meters tall at the hip. It was a massive dinosaur, with a weight estimated to be around 15-30 tons. This makes it one of the largest dinosaurs ever to have lived.

Distinguishing features of Brontosaurus include its long neck and tail, and sturdy body supported by pillar-like legs. It also had small, peg-like teeth that were useful for stripping leaves off branches, but not for chewing its food.

Contrary to popular belief, the name "Brontosaurus" is a misnomer. In the late 19th century, a researcher mistakenly assigned the skeleton of a Brontosaurus to a different genus, Apatosaurus. The error wasn't corrected until the 1970s, but the name Brontosaurus had already become well-known and widely used.

Despite the mistake, Brontosaurus remains a recognizable and beloved dinosaur, inspiring images and depictions in popular culture for over a century. It serves as a reminder of the sheer size and majesty of the dinosaurs that once roamed our planet.