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What role did the Giganotosaurus play in its ecosystem? Giganotosaurus occupied the role of an apex predator, regulating herbivore populations and contributing to the balance of its ecosystem. Navigation
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- Giganotosaurus in popular culture
Giganotosaurus, (Giganotosaurus carolinii), genus of a large theropod dinosaur in the family Carcharodontosauridae that lived during the Cenomanian Stage of the Late Cretaceous Period from about 100 million to 97 million years ago. Genus Giganotosaurus is made up of only one species, G. carolinii. Fossil remains of Giganotosaurus were first discove...
Giganotosaurus was a member of a family of large carnivorous dinosaurs that also included Mapusaurus and Carcharodontosaurus. Giganotosaurus is thought to have reached a length of 12−13 meters (about 40−43 feet), a height of 7 meters (about 23 feet), and a weight of 7,000–8,000 kg (about 15,400–17,600 pounds). However, model estimates shown in some studies note that some individuals may have weighed as much as 14,000 kg (about 30,800 pounds).
Giganotosaurus possessed a large head with a blunted chin, dozens of serrated teeth that grew to 20 cm (about 8 inches) long, and a long tail. It had three fingers on each hand and three toes on each foot, all bearing sharp claws used for defense and rending prey. Researchers note that these features allowed it to prey on the large herbivore sauropod dinosaurs that existed at the same time. Like many predatory dinosaurs, Giganotosaurus may have also been an opportunistic scavenger. In addition, researchers suggest that, when attacking prey, Giganotosaurus used its daggerlike teeth to create deep wounds and then let its prey bleed to death. There is also some speculation that these theropods may have lived in groups and hunted in packs.
Among the first Giganotosaurus fossils to be discovered was a tibia found in Patagonia’s Candeleros Formation in 1993 by Argentinian amateur fossil hunter and paleontologist Rubén D. Carolini, for whom the species was named in 1995. Paleontologists from the National University of Comahue were informed of the discovery, and the rest of the fragmente...
Giganotosaurus has been featured in a variety of media, including motion pictures, television, and games. It was depicted in the movie Jurassic World Dominion (2022), the animated film The Land Before Time V: The Mysterious Island (1997), and the IMAX documentary Dinosaurs: Giants of Patagonia (2007). On television, it was featured in the episode “Land of Giants” of the documentary Chased by Dinosaurs (2002−03), which showed several Giganotosaurus individuals attacking an Argentinosaurus as a pack, and in the drama Primeval (2007–11). In electronic games, Giganotosaurus appears in Jurassic World: The Game (2015), Gigantosaurus: The Game (2020), ARK: Survival Evolved (2015), and Turok (1997–2019). In addition, Giganotosaurus appears as part of a building set and as an action figure by the LEGO Group and Mattel, Inc., respectively.
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Giganotosaurus is thought to have been homeothermic (a type of "warm-bloodedness"), with a metabolism between that of a mammal and a reptile, which would have enabled fast growth. It would have been capable of closing its jaws quickly, capturing and bringing down prey by delivering powerful bites.
Mar 17, 2016 · Giganotosaurus was one of the largest meat-eating dinosaurs. It roamed modern-day Argentina during the late Cretaceous Period, about 99.6 to 97 million years ago. For a long time, Tyrannosaurus...
Oct 25, 2024 · The Giganotosaurus possessed a formidable skull, measuring between 5.0 to 5.9 feet in length, housing a deadly arsenal of teeth. Its robust body was supported by strong limbs and a lengthy, muscular tail, all speaking to its prowess as a top predator of its time.
Feb 12, 2024 · Possibly the largest carnivore to roam the Earth. The Giganotosaurus ‘ size quickly propelled this animal into the prehistoric hall of fame as the T.rex’s rival to the throne. While it became ...
The behavior and ecology of Giganotosaurus reveal its role as a dominant predator of its time. Understanding how it fed, interacted, and faced challenges in its environment helps to piece together the life of this massive carnivore.
