Brachiosaurus Facts: The Long-Necked Giant of Jurassic Times

Day 9: Some dinosaurs make you want to run for your life. Others make you stop and stare in awe. Brachiosaurus definitely falls into the second category. Standing next to one feels like standing next to a skyscraper, except this skyscraper moves—and occasionally sneezes, as I found out the hard way.

I was tracking a Brachiosaurus herd through a misty valley, hoping to capture the perfect picture for my science fair project. What I got instead? A close encounter with a dinosaur that proved even herbivores can be… messy.

Quick Facts About Brachiosaurus

Here’s what makes this long-necked giant so incredible:

Name Meaning: Brachiosaurus means “arm lizard,” named for its long front legs, which gave it an elevated stance.
Time Period: Lived about 154–150 million years ago during the Late Jurassic.
Size: Up to 85 feet long, 40 feet tall, and weighing around 40–50 tons. That’s taller than a four-story building.
Diet: Herbivore, feeding on treetops and other high-growing plants.
Habitat: Lush floodplains and forests in what is now North America.

Max’s Encounter: The Sneeze Heard ‘Round the Valley

The herd was grazing peacefully when I found them. Their long necks reached high into the trees, plucking leaves with jaws that could probably snap a small branch in half. I crouched near a rock, camera ready, marveling at how such massive creatures could move so gracefully.

I was focused on the biggest one, a true giant, when I felt something warm and wet hit me like a water balloon. Confused, I looked up—just in time to see the Brachiosaurus tilt its head back and let out the loudest sneeze I’ve ever heard. My camera was soaked. My notebook was ruined. And I was left standing there, covered in prehistoric snot.

Sam laughed for ten straight minutes when I told her. “Add that to your field notes,” she said. “Max Vale: Time Traveler, Dinosaur Photographer, and First Human to Get Sneezed On by a Brachiosaurus.”

Why Was Brachiosaurus So Tall?

Brachiosaurus’s height wasn’t just for show. Its long neck allowed it to reach food that other herbivores couldn’t, like the tops of conifer trees. This gave it a huge advantage in areas where food was scarce.

Its front legs were longer than its back legs, which gave it a sloping posture. This unique body shape made it look even taller and helped it balance its enormous neck.

Did You Know?

Brachiosaurus’s nostrils were located on the top of its head, which some scientists think helped it breathe while partially submerged in water.
Unlike many other sauropods, Brachiosaurus couldn’t rear up on its hind legs—it was too front-heavy.
It needed to eat up to 400 pounds of plants a day just to survive.

Real Brachiosaurus Pictures
The photo I managed to snap before my camera got slimed is… okay. You can see the Brachiosaurus’s neck towering over the trees, but let’s just say it’s not my best work. The sketch I made later, though? Sam says it’s good enough for a magazine cover.

[Dinosaur pictures are coming soon, just waiting for the film to develop!]

Field Notes From Max

Survival Tip: Always keep a safe distance from the business end of a Brachiosaurus, especially during allergy season.
What I Learned: Brachiosaurus wasn’t just a gentle giant—it was a key player in its ecosystem, shaping the forests it lived in.
Favorite Moment: Watching the herd move through the valley, their heads swaying like giant cranes.

The Bigger Picture

Brachiosaurus reminds us that size alone doesn’t make a dinosaur impressive—it’s how they used their size to adapt to their environment. Watching these giants graze felt like seeing evolution in action, and my photo might finally help people understand why sauropods ruled the Jurassic.

Of course, convincing Dr. Kline will be another story. He’s already dismissing my last few pictures as “coincidental shadows.” Sam, meanwhile, has suggested pitching my sneeze story to a comedy blog. “Dinosaurs: They’re Not as Glamorous as You Think,” she said. Classic Sam.

Next up: Day 10: Ankylosaurus – The Armored Tank of the Dinosaur World.
If you think dinosaurs with armor are slow and boring, wait until you hear about my run-in with an Ankylosaurus—and why its tail might be even more dangerous than its body. Stay tuned! 🦕🌳