The Brachiosaurus is one of the great dinosaurs that roamed the Earth during the Jurassic Period of the Mesozoic Era about 150 million years ago. The name means "arm lizard" and comes from the long front arms of the creature. In fact the arms were longer than the back legs of the Brachiosaurus so that, though he walked on all fours, his body was more nearly upright, rather in the manner of a giraffe.
Like the other Sauropods, Brachiosaurus was a plant eater. He had 52 flat, chisel-like teeth for chewing and grinding the plant material that he likely tore from tree branches. An interesting feature of the creature was that his nostrils were on a bulge on the top of his head. He could reach lengths of 85 feet and could raise himself up to a height greater than a five story building.
The tail of Brachiosaurus was relatively short in comparison to many of the other hulking Sauropods. Both front and back feet had claws, but were more geared for walking than manipulation as evidenced by a fleshy pad behind the claws that helped to support him as he walked. He needed as much support as possible to support his 55 tons of weight.
It is not certain, but it is thought that the Brachiosaurus, like the other Sauropods, lived in herds for protection. There is some conjecture that eggs were laid while walking and the young simply left to fend for themselves. Fossils of Brachiosaurus have been found in western North America, North Africa and the Iberian Peninsula.
