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Argentinosaurus

Argentinosaurus is a genus of giant titanosaur sauropod dinosaur from the Late Cretaceous of what is now Argentina.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 26, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

Argentinosaurus is a genus of giant titanosaur sauropod dinosaur from the Late Cretaceous of what is now Argentina. It is known from fragmentary remains and is widely regarded as one of the largest land animals ever discovered. Estimates of its exact size vary because the fossil evidence is incomplete.

Discovery and naming

Argentinosaurus was discovered in Argentina and described by paleontologists in 1993. Its name means 'Argentina lizard,' referring to the country where it was found.

Description

It was a massive quadrupedal sauropod with a long neck, long tail, and small head. Estimates of its length and mass vary, but it is commonly placed among the largest known land animals.

Classification

Argentinosaurus is placed within Titanosauria, a major sauropod group that was especially successful during the Cretaceous. It is one of the best-known titanosaur dinosaurs, despite the limited fossil record.

Palaeobiology

As a herbivore, Argentinosaurus likely fed on vegetation available in its Cretaceous environment. Its exact feeding height, movement, and social behaviour are not well established because the remains are fragmentary.

Key facts

  • Argentinosaurus was a giant sauropod dinosaur from Argentina.
  • It lived during the Late Cretaceous period, around 90 million years ago.
  • It belonged to Titanosauria, a group of large sauropods.
  • It is known from incomplete fossil material, so size estimates remain uncertain.
  • It was a quadrupedal plant-eater with a long neck and tail.
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Canadian context

Argentinosaurus is mainly relevant to Canadian readers as a globally significant dinosaur and a common subject in natural history museums, school curricula, and popular science coverage.

Frequently asked questions

What is Argentinosaurus?
Argentinosaurus is a genus of giant titanosaur sauropod dinosaur from Late Cretaceous Argentina.
How big was Argentinosaurus?
Estimates vary, but common figures are around 35 m long and about 70 tonnes, with some studies proposing somewhat different ranges.
What did Argentinosaurus eat?
It was a herbivore that ate plants.
When did Argentinosaurus live?
It lived in the Late Cretaceous, about 90 million years ago.
Where were Argentinosaurus fossils found?
Fossils have been found in Argentina.
Why is Argentinosaurus famous?
It is famous for being one of the largest known land animals, although its incomplete fossils make exact size estimates uncertain.

References

  1. Natural History Museum — https://www.nhm.ac.uk/discover/dino-directory/argentinosaurus.html
    Supports: Name meaning, dinosaur type, estimated length and weight, diet, time period, and fossil location.
  2. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Argentinosaurus
    Supports: Genus name, titanosaur classification, approximate length and mass estimates, and fragmentary fossil basis.
  3. The Guardian — https://www.theguardian.com/science/2009/feb/08/argentinosaurus-dinosaur-directory
    Supports: Discovery in Argentina, description date, herbivory, quadrupedal stance, and approximate size estimates.