What's in a name- Brachiosaurus altithorax
- George Wykes
- Aug 21
- 1 min read
What's in a name: Brachiosaurus altithorax - Arm Lizard with Deep Chest
Brachiosaurus altithorax was discovered in 1903 by Elmer Riggs in the well-known Morrison Formation in Western USA.
The unusual nature of its proportions, including having longer forelimbs than hindlimbs, inspired the name Brachiosaurus, meaning ‘Arm Lizard with Deep Chest’. These limbs were perfectly designed for supporting the giant sauropod's huge bulk, and an enormous neck
perfectly adapted for feeding from the tops of trees.
With several different sauropods roaming the area simultaneously, isotope evidence has revealed the different ecological roles filled by different species, with Brachiosaurus feeding on high conifers, while Camarasaurus was better suited to mid-level vegetation.
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