Elaltitan Facts
| Diet | Herbivore |
| Height | 5m |
| Length | 20m |
| Weight | 25 tonnes |
| Environment | Land |
| Era | Cretaceous |
| Period | Late Cretaceous |
| Type | Sauropod |
| Location | Argentina |

| Diet | Herbivore |
| Height | 5m |
| Length | 20m |
| Weight | 25 tonnes |
| Environment | Land |
| Era | Cretaceous |
| Period | Late Cretaceous |
| Type | Sauropod |
| Location | Argentina |
Elaltitan was a massive sauropod dinosaur that thundered across the ancient landscapes of what is now Argentina during the Late Cretaceous period, approximately 89.8 million years ago. This colossal herbivore belonged to a group called titanosaurs, which were among the largest land animals ever to have lived on Earth.
Like other sauropods, Elaltitan possessed the classic long-necked, long-tailed body plan that made these dinosaurs so distinctive. Its enormous size would have made it a truly impressive sight, with a lengthy neck that could reach high into the treetops and a powerful tail that may have been used for communication or defence. The dinosaur's massive legs supported its tremendous weight as it moved slowly through the Cretaceous forests and plains of Patagonia.
As a herbivore, Elaltitan spent much of its time feeding on the abundant plant life of its era. Its long neck allowed it to browse on vegetation that other dinosaurs couldn't reach, including tall conifers and ferns. The dinosaur's teeth were designed for stripping leaves rather than chewing, so it likely swallowed plant material whole and relied on stones in its stomach to help grind up tough vegetation.
Elaltitan represents an important piece in understanding the diversity of titanosaur sauropods that dominated South America during the Cretaceous period, contributing to our knowledge of how these giants evolved and adapted to their environments.
Elaltitan was distinguished by its enormous size typical of titanosaur sauropods, with a very long neck and tail, massive pillar-like legs, and a relatively small head compared to its body size. Its vertebrae show characteristics unique to the lithostrotian titanosaur group, including specific bone structures that help palaeontologists identify it as a distinct species.
Elaltitan likely lived in herds for protection and social interaction, as evidenced by other titanosaur discoveries. It would have spent most of its day feeding, using its long neck to reach vegetation at various heights and constantly moving to find fresh plant material to sustain its enormous body.
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Saurischia |
| Genus | Elaltitan |
Elaltitan was first described by Leonardo Filippi and Alberto Garrido in 2013. The original fossils were discovered at Bajo Barreal Formation, Chubut Province, Argentina.