Dinosaurs – unbeaten in terms of size

Abstract

Dinosaurs are the largest terrestrial animals of all time. Long-necked dinosaurs (Sauropoda) could eventually reach a weight of 80,000 kg – possibly even more. Giant growth was obviously not uncommon among sauropods. It is therefore pointless to ask which species produced the largest specimens. The data on the weight of the various species vary considerably in literature, as only bones are available as a basis for calculating body weight. The results vary depending on the calculation method used. The fact that sauropods were able to grow so much larger than all other known terrestrial animals is due to their special functional anatomy. In addition to many other factors, the long neck and the special respiratory system equipped with air sacs, which on the one hand enables high respiratory efficiency and on the other hand makes the body considerably lighter, play a central role here.