What Was the Biggest Dinosaur That Ever Lived?
If you’ve ever asked “what was the biggest dinosaur?” or “what is the biggest dinosaur ever?”, the answer takes us back millions of years to the world of Titanosaurs — the true giants of the dinosaur age.
The biggest dinosaur ever known is the Argentinosaurus.
It was a massive long-necked herbivore that lived in South America during the Late Cretaceous Period, around 95 million years ago.
How Big Was the Argentinosaurus?
- Length: Estimated 100–115 feet (30–35 meters)
- Weight: Around 70–100 tons (that’s heavier than 15 elephants!)
- Height: About 20 feet at the shoulder
Its bones were so large that paleontologists could barely transport them. In fact, just one vertebra (backbone) was over 5 feet tall!
Where Was the Biggest Dinosaur Found?
- Discovered in: Argentina, South America
- Fossils found in: Neuquén Province
- First described: In the 1990s by Argentine paleontologist José Bonaparte
The name “Argentinosaurus” literally means “lizard from Argentina.”
What Is the Biggest Dinosaur Alive Today?
There are no living dinosaurs (except birds, which evolved from small dinosaurs), so no dinosaur is alive today like the Argentinosaurus.
However, when people ask “what is the biggest dinosaur?”, they usually mean which one was the largest ever discovered, and that’s still the Argentinosaurus, based on fossil evidence.
Other Giant Dinosaurs Worth Mentioning
While Argentinosaurus holds the record, a few others were close in size:
| Dinosaur Name | Length | Weight | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| Patagotitan mayorum | 122 feet | 70–77 tons | Argentina |
| Dreadnoughtus | 85 feet | 65 tons | Argentina |
| Supersaurus | 110 feet | 40–50 tons | North America |
| Brachiosaurus | 85 feet | 50–60 tons | Africa & USA |
All of these belonged to the sauropod family — the group of long-necked plant-eaters that ruled Earth with their massive size.
Final Answer:
Argentinosaurus is widely considered the biggest dinosaur ever.
It was:
- Over 100 feet long
- Weighed more than 70 tons
- One of the most massive land animals in history
Even though we’ve only found partial fossils, scientists are confident this was the largest creature ever to walk the Earth.
FAQ
Q1: What was the biggest dinosaur ever found?
Argentinosaurus — a giant sauropod from Argentina.
Q2: What is the largest dinosaur in history?
Most scientists agree it’s the Argentinosaurus based on size estimates.
Q3: Was there a dinosaur bigger than a blue whale?
No, blue whales are still heavier overall, but Argentinosaurus was the biggest land animal ever.
Q4: Are there any living dinosaurs today?
Birds are the only living descendants of dinosaurs.
Q5: Where can I see a replica of the biggest dinosaur?
Museums like the American Museum of Natural History and Field Museum in Chicago have life-sized models of Titanosaurs.
Final Thoughts
Whether you’re a kid fascinated by dinosaurs or an adult curious about ancient giants, the question “what is the biggest dinosaur?” brings us to an incredible answer: the Argentinosaurus.
Its size, mystery, and prehistoric power continue to amaze us — millions of years later.