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Giganotosaurus Carolinii was a gigantic theropod dinosaur slightly longer than Tyrannosaurus (but not as robustly built) and larger then Carcharodontosaurus but not as long (though probably heavier) than Spinosaurus. Also new evidence that it hunted in packs or at lest mob together, this could make it among some of the most deadliest land predators ever discovered.

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Giganotosaurus carolinii
Name meaning:                     Giant lizard of the South
Area:                                         Argentina, Patagonia, Calanderos.
Period:                                             Late Cretaceous, 99.6-96 million years ago
Diet:                                             Apex Carnivore
Length:                                   13.2 m (43 ft)
Height:                                              3.7 meters
Weight:     7.3 -8 tonnes

Size[]

Giganotosaurus is slightly longer than Tyrannosaurus rex and larger then Carcharodontosaurus, coming in at 13.2 m long and weighing 7.3-8 tonnes. It is remarkable that even though the giants were similar in size to Tyrannosaurus but they were much faster. Palaeontologists reckon these behemoths could run at a dashing 31.3 mph.

Giganothosaurus

Reconstruction of a Giganotosaurus skeleton

Skull and Brain[]

The Giganotosaurus's Skull was huge! The biggest of any theropod, in fact. At a staggering 1.9 meters long, it showed Giganotosaurus had a great sense of smell. Its brain was rather small, but not as small as a Carcharodontosaurus.

☀Giganotosaurus's was not the most intelligent of dinosaurs as the brain was astonishingly small for such a large animal, and was about the size and shape of a banana.

Giganotosaurus pack

A Giganotosaurus pack

Behavior[]

Titanosaur fossils belonging to Andesaurus, Nopcsaspondylus and Limaysaurus have been recovered near the remains of Giganotosaurus, leading to speculation that these carnivores preyed on the giant herbivores, as Sauropods. Fossils of the related Mapusaurus grouped closely together may indicate pack hunting, a behavior that could possibly extend to Giganotosaurus itself how ever they can also indicate mobbing as seen in komodo dragon, that well we work together to bring larger prey then fight or kill each other for body. Giganotosaurus had teeth that where up to 10 inches long and perfect for slicing through flesh. A very likely attack strategy is a "hit and run" or ''flesh grazers'' where the Giganotosaurus runs in, takes a bite out of its prey, and then runs away before injury is inflicted. This way it could bleed out its sauropod prey instead of delivering a single powerful attack. This strategy has been scientifically proven in the fossil record by other dinosaurs, so we can assume that under similar circumstances, Giganotosaurus would do the same.

Gallery[]

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