Report sheds light on Argentina's giant Dreadnoughtus dino

Scientists on Thursday announced in a new report the discovery of a remarkably well-preserved Dreadnoughtus fossil in southern Patagonia. The creature weighed as much as any known land animal, and it wasn't even finished growing, researchers reported in the journal Scientific Reports.

The long-necked Dreadnoughtus behemoth would have measured 26 meters (85 feet) from nose to tail. Its sheer size dwarfs the Tyrannosaurus rex. At 60 tons, Dreadnoughtus weighed as much as seven of the famous beasts.

Heaviest land animal

Kenneth Lacovara of Drexel University in Philadelphia, who discovered the specimen in Argentina in 2005 and led its analysis and excavation effort, said it's the heaviest land animal for which a weight has been calculated with such a degree of accuracy.

The Dreadnoughtus was discovered alongside another, smaller specimen

"With a body the size of a house, the weight of a herd of elephants and a weaponized [nine-meter, muscled] tail, Dreadnoughtus would have feared nothing," Lacovara said.

The creature's old English name evoked memories of early 20th century European dreadnought battleships, "which were huge, thickly clad and virtually impervious," he added.

Dreadnoughtus' weight estimate was based off bones in its upper arm and thigh. The find contained 70 percent of the types of bone in the dinosaur's body and around 45 percent of its total skeleton; however no skull bones were recovered.

"It's by far the best example we have of any of the most giant creatures to ever walk the planet," said Lacovara.

In order to sustain its incredible size, Dreadnoughtus would have needed to eat great amounts of the plants growing in southern Argentina's temperate forests.

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Report sheds light on Argentina's giant Dreadnoughtus dino