Dinosaurs are animals that became extinct many centuries ago. Existed in the Mesozoic era. For the first time the term "dinosaur" appeared in 1842. Translated as scary, terrible. He was voiced by biologist Richard Owen. So he tried to show people their size and grandeur.
Many scientists have tried to study these mysterious animals from the remains. But I managed to find out that among them were herbivores, carnivores, and even omnivores. Many moved on two hind limbs, while others moved on four. Some calmly walked in two and four.
After the discovery of dinosaurs in the world, they were discovered on almost all continents. But it is worth saying that there were only a few of them on the territory of Russia. But, for example, in the Amur region there are several cemeteries from the bones of these animals.
This article will cover the largest dinosaurs in the world.
10. Charonosaurus
Weight: up to 7 t
Dimensions: 13 m
Haronosaurus It was first discovered on the Chinese river bank called Cupid in 1975. Excavations were carried out, as a result of which many bones and remains were found.
The clusters were at rather large distances.
Among the individuals there were young and adults. Everything indicated that they were killed by some predators.
But there is the likelihood that they were eaten and then dismembered by various scavengers.
The Charonosaurus was considered a rather large dinosaur. The animal could move on its hind and forelimbs. The front ones were significantly smaller than the rear ones.
9. Iguanodon
Weight: up to 4 t
Dimensions: 11 m
Iguanodon was the first herbivorous dinosaur to be discovered by scientists. In 1820, bones were found in a quarry at Veitemans Green. Then after some time they dug up the teeth of the animal, which were intended for chewing plant foods.
He could move on both four and two legs. The skull was a little narrow but large. There is an assumption that they died due to cataclysms. Skeletons found in one place. But there is no evidence that they had a herd reflex. Perhaps they lived alone.
8. Edmontosaurus
Weight: 5 t
Dimensions: 13 m
Most edmontasaurs was found in North America. Presumably, they moved in small groups of 15-20 individuals.
Edmontasaurus is one of the largest species of herbivorous animals. But they have a rather massive tail, which is capable of raising a passenger car into the air with one blow.
He ate, standing on four legs, but he moved only on two.
The only feature that distinguished this species from others is the structure of the skull. There was a platypus nose and a flat beak.
7. Shantungosaurus
Weight: 12 t
Dimensions: 15 m
Shandugosaurus It is considered the largest representative of animals that are accustomed to eating plants.
Scientists discovered this species back in 1973 in Shandong.
The structure of the skull was slightly elongated and quite large. In front, a little flattened and somewhat reminiscent of a duck beak.
They ate the leaves of shrubs and young trees.
Lived in East Asian forests. It is worth noting that there were only herds. So they could fight off enemies, but there were not a few of them.
6. Carcharodontosaurus
Weight: 5-7 t
Dimensions: 13-14 m
Carcharodontosaurus considered a predator, but not the largest living in Africa. From ancient Greek is translated as "raptor with sharp teeth". And the truth is, it was.
This species was quite common in North Africa, as well as in Egypt and Morocco. It was first discovered by a paleontologist from France, Charles Depera. Then they found the remains of the skull, teeth, cervical and caudal vertebrae.
The dinosaur had strong hind legs, which is why it moved only on them. At the expense of the forelimbs are disputes. So scientists did not find out whether they existed at all. But even if they were, then, most likely, underdeveloped.
The skull reached a fairly large size. The jaw is relatively narrow, sharp teeth were visible. The massive body ended with a large tail. We ate other animals.
5. Giganotosaurus
Weight: 6-8 t
Dimensions: 12-14 m
First time remains gigantosaurus were found in 1993 by hunter Ruben Carolini. This is a fairly large carnivorous dinosaur that lived in the Upper Cretaceous era.
His femurs and tibia are the same length, which means that he was not particularly running. The skull is slightly elongated. Combs can be seen on the nasal bones. This increased their strength during fights.
The studies that were conducted showed only in 1999 in North Carolina. Here they tried to prove that the animal is warm-blooded and has a special form of metabolism.
4. Spinosaurus
Weight: 4-9 t
Dimensions: 12-17 m
Spinosaurus lived in what is now North Africa. One of the largest animals of this species. New finds have constantly changed the idea of previous ones. Paleontologists were often in debate.
Many noted that work on this species is similar to studying an alien. He has no resemblance to other creatures identified previously.
The dinosaur had a very thin neck, but a long and narrow muzzle, this helped him swallow the whole fish. On the front of the skull there are peculiar recesses that helped to capture various movements in the water.
The teeth were very sharp and large. Ideal for capturing fish. On the back you can see huge spikes, which were 2 or more meters in height. It is not known what they were specifically intended for. Perhaps they helped in the thermoregulation of the skin of the body.
In 2018, scientists found that it was this species that could safely swim, like many others. There was an opportunity to turn over in the water on its side.
3. Zavroposeidon
Weight: 40-52 t
Dimensions: 18 m
Zavroposeidon considered one of the most enormous species of dinosaurs. It was first discovered in the USA. First found the cervical vertebrae in 1994 in a rural area, which was located near Texas.
Excavations involved a team from the Museum of History. The dinosaur had four cervical vertebrae. They were very long. Amazing sizes and at his neck - about 9 meters.
2. Argentinosaurus
Weight: 60-88 t
Dimensions: 30 m
Argentinosaurs - One of the largest animals that lived in South America. Existed in the Cretaceous period.
The only remains found by scientists only in 1987 in Argentina. Found on the ranch of the owner, who initially took the bone for a simple fossil. But after, giant vertebrae were excavated, which were about 159 centimeters high.
This species was described in 1993 by one of the paleontologists named Jose Bonaparte. He introduced him as "pangolins from Argentina ». Scientists for quite some time could not determine the true dimensions.
It should be noted that documentaries and programs have been shot about almost all types of dinosaurs. Argentosaurus was no exception. The special issue “In the Land of Giants” tells about the life and habitat of these species.
1. Amphicelium
Weight: 78-122 t
Dimensions: 48 m
It is this genus that stands out among the rest with its enormous size. The first remains of animals were found by Oramel Lucas in Colorado.
But they learned about them only in 1878. One of the paleontologists wrote an article about dinosaurs of the amphicelia species. This man was Edward Cope.
Land dinosaurs were large, which was not immediately proved by scientists. The intestines allowed you to digest low-calorie foods. Body temperature almost always remained stable, which can not be said about smaller species.