Giraffatitan Facts
| Diet | Herbivore |
| Height | 12m |
| Length | 23m |
| Weight | 23 tonnes |
| Speed | 15 km/h |
| Environment | Land |
| Era | Jurassic |
| Period | Late Jurassic |
| Type | Sauropod |
| Location | Tanzania |

| Diet | Herbivore |
| Height | 12m |
| Length | 23m |
| Weight | 23 tonnes |
| Speed | 15 km/h |
| Environment | Land |
| Era | Jurassic |
| Period | Late Jurassic |
| Type | Sauropod |
| Location | Tanzania |
Giraffatitan was one of the most impressive sauropod dinosaurs that ever lived, towering over the Late Jurassic landscape of what is now Tanzania between 161.5 and 149.2 million years ago. This massive herbivore was originally classified as a species of Brachiosaurus, but scientists now recognise it as a distinct genus due to significant differences in its anatomy.
Standing an incredible 12 metres tall at the shoulders and stretching 23 metres from nose to tail, Giraffatitan was built like a living skyscraper. Its most distinctive feature was its extraordinarily long neck, which could reach high into the forest canopy to browse on vegetation that other dinosaurs couldn't access. Unlike many other sauropods, Giraffatitan had front legs that were longer than its back legs, giving it a distinctive sloping profile that elevated its head even higher.
As a herbivore, Giraffatitan used its height advantage to feed on conifers, ferns, and cycads growing 10-15 metres above the ground. Its peg-like teeth were perfect for stripping leaves from branches, which it then swallowed whole to be processed in its massive digestive system. The dinosaur's long tail served as a counterbalance to its enormous neck and front-heavy body.
Giraffatitan lived in a warm, semi-arid environment with seasonal rainfall, sharing its habitat with other famous dinosaurs like Kentrosaurus and Allosaurus. Despite weighing around 23 tonnes, this gentle giant could probably reach speeds of up to 15 km/h when necessary.
Giraffatitan had an exceptionally long neck supported by front legs that were longer than its back legs, creating a distinctive giraffe-like sloping profile. Its relatively small head sat atop a neck that could stretch over 9 metres long, whilst its sturdy body was supported by pillar-like legs ending in broad, padded feet.
Giraffatitan likely lived in small herds and spent most of its time feeding, using its towering height to browse vegetation from treetops that other dinosaurs couldn't reach. Young Giraffatitan probably stayed close to adults for protection, as their size made them vulnerable to predators like Allosaurus until they reached their full impressive stature.
Giraffatitan has appeared in several documentaries about prehistoric life and features in various dinosaur books and educational materials, though it's often still referred to by its old name Brachiosaurus brancai.
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Saurischia |
| Family | Brachiosauridae |
| Genus | Giraffatitan |
Giraffatitan was first described by Werner Janensch in 1914. The original fossils were discovered at Tendaguru Formation, Lindi Region, Tanzania.