Giganotosaurus is the
biggest meat-eating
dinosaur ever
discovered. The fossil was found in a rock formation called
Rio Limay in
Argentina (1994). When alive, it measured 47 feet, weighing 8 tons, with a height of 12 feet (at the hips). Giganotosaurus was a
theropod from the mid-
Cretaceous, living about 100-95 million years ago, toward the end of the
Mesozoic Era, or the
Age of Reptiles.
Giga-noto-saurus means "giant southern reptile". 70 percent of the skeleton has been
found. Fossils of 75-foot-long plant eating dinosaurs were found near the Giganotosaurus, presumably victims of Giganotosaurus' 8-inch long serrated teeth and powerful jaws.
Comparison of Giganotosaurus and Tyrannosaurus Rex:
Giganotosaurus T.Rex
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Skull length: 6 ft. (1.8 m) 5 ft. (1.5 m)
Hands: 3 fingers larger, with 2 fingers
Height: 12 ft. (3.7 m) 10 ft. (3 m)
Length: 45-47 feet (14.5 m) 40 feet (12 m)
Weight: about 8 tons about 5 tons
Brain size: small larger and wider
Time period: 100-95 mill. yrs. 65 million years ago
Lived in: South America North America