Brachiosauridae

The family Brachiosauridae includes dinosaurs from the genus Brachiosaurus, which lived approximately 150 to 130 million years ago during the Late Jurassic to Early Cretaceous periods. These were among the heaviest and tallest sauropod dinosaurs for which complete skeletons have been found.1

Brachiosaurs resembled giraffes, possessing exceptionally long necks and shorter tails. Uniquely among dinosaurs, their forelimbs were longer than their hind limbs. This anatomy likely allowed them to reach vegetation up to 12 meters (39 feet) off the ground. They could grow to nearly 25 meters long and weigh close to 80 metric tons. Their nasal openings were positioned on top of their heads, possibly to keep vegetation away from their nostrils while feeding.1

While some theorized they lived in water to support their weight, skeletal evidence suggests they were well-adapted for terrestrial life, browsing on treetops.12