The Colossal Herbivore
Futalognkosaurus was a gigantic herbivorous dinosaur that lived during the Late Cretaceous period, around 87 million years ago.
| Meaning | Chief lizard [Futalognko-saurus] |
| Pronunciation | foo-ta-long-koh-SORE-us |
| When: | Late Cretaceous (about 87–80 million years ago) |
| Where: | South America (Argentina) |
| What: | Sauropod (titanosaurid, herbivorous) |
| Weight: | Estimated around 38–50 metric tons |
| Length: | Approximately 26 meters (85 feet) |
| Diet: | Herbivorous (ate high vegetation) |
| Discovered: | First described by Jorge Calvo and colleagues in 2007 |
It belonged to the group of dinosaurs known as sauropods, characterized by their long necks and tails, and massive bodies.
Futalognkosaurus measured approximately 32-34 meters (105-112 feet) in length and weighed around 38-50 tons.
It inhabited what is now Argentina and was likely a plant-eater, consuming vast quantities of vegetation to sustain its immense size.