# Brontosaurus (*Brontosaurus excelsus*)

Brontosaurus was a prehistoric dinosaur known for its distinctive features. Scientists study its bones to learn about how dinosaurs lived.

- **Category:** [Ancient](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/ancient)
- **Rarity:** Common
- **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low
- **Habitat:** Mesozoic forests and floodplains
- **Also known as:** Thunder Lizard

![Brontosaurus](https://res.cloudinary.com/drieglelr/image/upload/v1771424346/objects/5760.jpg)

## Appearance

The Brontosaurus is a colossal dinosaur with a long, elegant neck and a massive, barrel-shaped body supported by four thick, pillar-like legs. It has a long, whip-like tail that tapers to a point. Its skin was likely brownish-grey or greenish, possibly with fine scales.

## Taxonomy

- **Kingdom:** Animalia

## Interesting facts

- Despite its massive size, Brontosaurus had a brain no bigger than a grapefruit!
- For many years, Brontosaurus was mistakenly called Apatosaurus, before it was proven its own genus.
- Its name means "thunder lizard" because scientists imagined its immense footsteps shaking the ground!
- Scientists believe it might have lived in herds, moving together to find new plant snacks.

## Special abilities

- **Towering Grazer:** Brontosaurus can reach high leaves because of its incredibly long neck that helps it browse tall plants.
- **Immense Presence:** Brontosaurus has enormous bulk that helps deter most predators and makes it a formidable presence.
- **Whip-Tail Defense:** Brontosaurus can swing its powerful, whip-like tail that helps it fend off attackers.

## Measurements & details

- **Length:** 22-23 m
- **Weight:** 15000-17000 kg
- **Era:** Mesozoic (Jurassic Period)
- **Extinct Millions Years Ago:** 145

## Diet & Feeding

A giant plant-eater, it slowly browsed on ancient ferns, cycads, and conifers.

- **Primary Foods:** Ferns, Cycads, Conifers, Horsetails, Clubmosses
- **Foraging Method:** Grazing

## Ecological connections

- **Eaten by:** [Allosaurus](https://www.snappit.app/explore/allosaurus) (*Allosaurus fragilis*) — Hunted sick or young Brontosaurus in the same ecosystem.
- **Eaten by:** Ceratosaurus (*Ceratosaurus nasicornis*) — A smaller predator targeting vulnerable or juvenile individuals.
- **Depends on:** [Stegosaurus](https://www.snappit.app/explore/stegosaurus) (*Stegosaurus armatus*) — Shared the same ancient forests and competed for plant resources.
- **Depends on:** [Diplodocus](https://www.snappit.app/explore/diplodocus) (*Diplodocus longus*) — Coexisted in similar habitats, likely competing for food.

## Traits

- [Ancient](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/ancient): Ancient refers to organisms, objects, or geological formations that have existed for an extremely long period.
- [Artifact](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/artifact): An artifact is an object made or modified by human culture, typically of historical or archaeological interest.
- [Fossil](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/fossil): A fossil is the preserved remains or traces of an ancient organism embedded in rock or other geological deposits.

## Collections

- [Ancient](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/ancient)

## Safety

**Danger:** 1/5 · Very low

While extremely dangerous in their time, this creature is now extinct.

## Frequently Asked Questions

### How to identify Brontosaurus?

Compare skull shape, horns, plates, limbs, posture and tail. Museum models and toys can mix features or follow outdated reconstructions. Dinosaur Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details.

### How long is Brontosaurus?

22-23 m

### How much does Brontosaurus weigh?

15000-17000 kg

### What does Brontosaurus eat?

A giant plant-eater, it slowly browsed on ancient ferns, cycads, and conifers.

### Where is Brontosaurus usually found?

Mesozoic forests and floodplains

### How does Brontosaurus hunt?

Grazing

### What geologic era did Brontosaurus live in?

Mesozoic (Jurassic Period)

### When did Brontosaurus go extinct?

145

## More Ancient

- [Tyrannosaurus rex](https://www.snappit.app/explore/tyrannosaurus-rex) (*Tyrannosaurus rex*)
- [Triceratops](https://www.snappit.app/explore/triceratops) (*Triceratops horridus*)
- [Stegosaurus](https://www.snappit.app/explore/stegosaurus) (*Stegosaurus stenops*)
- [Brachiosaurus](https://www.snappit.app/explore/brachiosaurus) (*Brachiosaurus altithorax*)

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Source: [Brontosaurus: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/brontosaurus)