The dinosaurs were really big. They were so big that they would easily fill a room in your house. In fact, some of the largest dinosaurs would be bigger than your entire house!
One of the biggest of them all, was the Argentinosaurus. This giant measured up to about 40 metres long and 20 metres tall.
When compared to a modern-day elephant, the Argentinosaurus was around 8 times as big. And when compared to a human, the Argentinosaurus was about 22 times as big. With these dinosaur size comparisons you can imagine just how big these creatures were!
Other large dinosaurs included the Spinosaurus, which was about 30-40 feet long and 15 feet tall and the Tyrannosaurus Rex was a similar size.
As you can see, the dinosaurs were massive creatures. They would have been both very scary, and very impressive in equal measure if you were to see one in person!
Dinosaur Size Comparisons
Argentinosaurus Size
The Argentinosaurus was a large, herbivorous dinosaur. As the name suggests, it lived in what is now South America around 100 million years ago. The scale of this beast is truly hard to imagine in the minds eye. One of the largest dinosaurs ever discovered, and may have been up to 40 meters long. The Argentinosaurus is known from only a few fragmentary bones, so we don’t know too much about it. However, what we do know indicates that it was an extremely large and imposing animal.
The limited evidence available suggests that the Argentinosaurus was a plant eating herbivore. It is not known exactly what kind of plants it ate, something that might become clearer as more evidence is found. It is likely however, that it fed on the leaves of large trees and shrubs. Its size would have allowed it to reach up to the top of tall plants, where other smaller herbivores could not reach.
The Argentinosaurus would have been one of the largest animals on Earth during its time. It is estimated to have been between 35 and 40 meters long, and it may have weighed up to a staggering 100 metric tons.
Because of its great size, the Argentinosaurus would have been a very impressive sight. It would have been one of the largest animals on the planet, not just during it’s lifetime, but of all time!
- Length: 36-40 metres
- Weight: 77 – 100 tonnes
Spinosaurus Size
The Spinosaurus was an amazing predatory dinosaur that lived during the Jurassic period. I know that the Tyrannosaur gets most of the credit for being a large, fierce carnivore, but the Spinosaurus was bigger. In fact, it was the largest of all the meat eating dinosaurs.
It had a sail-like structure on its back that made it stand out from the rest. But it’s sheer size was also magnificent. From the current samples available, it stood at about 45 to 60 feet long and weighed up to around 40,000 pounds (around 20,000 kilos).
This magnificent beast was feared by many, and rightfully so! Its razor sharp claws and teeth could easily tear through flesh, and its powerful tail could crush bones.
- Length: 14-18m
- Weight: 17-20 tonnes
Tyrannosaurus Size
The Tyrannosaurus Rex is a genus of coelurosaurian theropod dinosaur that lived approximately 68 to 66 million years ago during the latter part of the Cretaceous Period. It was one of the largest land predators ever known, but there were a few that were bigger. It’s reputation for being a massive, violent ‘tyrant’ predator, is greater than perhaps any other dinosaur though. The Tyrannosaurus Rex was an opportunistic predator and would even scavenge on occasion.
From fossil sample evidence, the Tyrannosaurus was formidable. Measuring up to 40 feet (13 meters) long and weighing up to 30,000 lbs (14 metric tons). They had an S Curve neck like most dinosaurs; however it was very muscular to support its giant head. Their head alone was up to 5 feet (1.5 metres) in length. They walked on two legs, and had very small forelimbs compared to the rest of the body. Their tiny little upper limbs look so out of place on their otherwise massive frame.
The Tyrannosaurus Rex was a violent giant, one of the most feared predators of its time. It had a massive skull and powerful jaws that could easily crush its prey. Its long, muscular tail provided balance and stability when it ran at high speeds. It was a fast and agile predator, capable of reaching speeds up to 40 mph (64 km/h). Can you imagine something that size, barrelling toward you at that speed? That’s comparable with most horses or other fast land animals alive today. It’s no wonder us humans have evolved with a strong mammalian fear response!
It is one of the most infamous and popular dinosaurs in the world and has been featured in many books, films, and television shows.
- Length:12-13 metres
- Weight: 8-14 tonnes
Triceratops Size
The Triceratops was a formidable dinosaur, with a distinctive size and set of features. With three horns on its head and a tough, bony armor, it must have been a sight to behold. Evidence suggest that this dinosaur was a herbivore, and that it lived in herds. Many predatory dinosaurs preferred to live a solitary life, but herbivores like the Triceratops survived better in groups.
In terms of size, the Triceratops was certainly a large beast. Measuring around 25 feet in length and weighing around 6 tons. It wasn’t the largest, but it was far from being ‘small’ either. Its most distinctive features were its large head and set of three horns on its forehead. As well as the bony armour on its body.
Despite its impressive armour and appearance, the Triceratops was hunted by a much larger, fearsome predator. It is believed that the T Rex would attack a Triceratops from behind. Using its powerful jaws to crush the back of the dinosaur’s skull. If it could see the predator coming, it may have had a change to defend itself. But caught unaware, the Triceratops was no match for the T Rex’s size and speed. It is thought that many of these creatures died at the hands of their ferocious predators.
- Length: 8-9 metres
- Weight: 6-12 tonnes
Stegosaurus Size
The Stegosaurus was a large, herbivorous dinosaur that had a distinctive bony plate on its back. This plate is believed to have served as protection against predators, as well as a method to regulate the dinosaur’s body temperature. Similarly to how many reptiles regulate temperature with their scales today. The Stegosaurus is also believed to have had two rows of spikes on its tail, which were used as a weapon against predators.
This dinosaur was up there amongst the big boys, measuring up to 30 feet in length and a weight up to 15,000 lbs. Other features included a typically small head housed upon a long neck. Its back was covered with bony plates, and it’s thought these served as primary protection against predators.
- Length: 8-9 metres
- Weight: 3-7 tonnes
Ankylosaurus Size
The ankylosaurus was a large, herbivorous dinosaur that lived during the late Cretaceous period. It had a long, heavily-built body and a short tail. The ankylosaurus was discovered in the 1920s in North America. It is estimated that the ankylosaurus weighed around 6,000 pounds and was around 18 feet long.
Probably the most defining feature of the ankylosaurus was its large, club-like tail. It could use this as a weapon against predators, and probably did so as it’s primary method of defence.
The ankylosaurus was a slow and sluggish dinosaur, but its thick armor made it very difficult for predators to kill.
- Length: 6-8 metres
- Weight: 5-8 tonnes
Human vs Dinosaur Size Comparison Chart
