New dinosaur weighing as much as 9 elephants identified by scientists

Scientists have discovered a massive new dinosaur species in Thailand, estimated to have weighed as much as nine adult elephants. This long-necked herbivore, named Nagatitan chaiyaphumensis, measured 88 feet in length and weighed about 27 tons, making it the largest dinosaur ever found in Southeast Asia. The dinosaur likely roamed the region between 100 million and 120 million years ago. The remains, first unearthed a decade ago, were finally excavated in 2024 and revealed enough unique features to classify it as a new species. The name Nagatitan combines a mythological serpent-like creature from Asian cultures and a giant from Greek mythology. At the time, the region’s largest predator was a relative of the Carcharodontosaurus, which was significantly smaller than Nagatitan. A life-size reconstruction of the dinosaur is now on display at Bangkok’s Thainosaur Museum. QUESTION: How might the discovery of Nagatitan chaiyaphumensis influence our understanding of prehistoric life in Southeast Asia?