Giraffatitan brancai

Part of the GIANTS OF THE LAND Exhibit

Late Jurassic Period, approx. 155-150 million years ago

1:3 Scale Skull Replica

SPECIMEN PROFILE

Giraffatitan brancai was a massive sauropod dinosaur inhabiting the river valleys and semi-arid floodplains of Late Jurassic Africa. Closely related to Brachiosaurus, it is distinguished by its proportionally longer neck and overall lighter skeletal construction, reflecting a highly specialized high-browsing lifestyle.

Its elevated forelimbs and elongated neck allowed it to access vegetation at significant heights, placing it in a niche with reduced feeding competition among other herbivores. Air-filled vertebrae helped reduce overall body mass while maintaining structural strength, a critical adaptation for supporting its immense size. Giraffatitan likely moved in small groups, relying on scale and height as its primary defense against large predatory theropods of its ecosystem.

COLLECTOR & CURATOR NOTE

A towering Late Jurassic sauropod defined by its extreme height and lightweight skeletal design—one of the most refined high-browsing giants in dinosaur evolution.

CONSTRUCTION & DISPLAY

Scale

• 1:3, approx. 11.8 in or 30 cm

Fossil Finishes

• Aged Bone: A weathered bone-white aesthetic, evoking exposed skeletal remains and museum restorations.

• Canyon: Warm earth tones and terracotta hues, inspired by fossil beds such as Picketwire and Mill Canyon.

• Fossilized: Deep browns and near-black coloration, replicating the mineral-rich preservation seen in authentic fossil specimens.

Specimen Format

• Unmounted study specimen: A standalone skull, ideal for shelves, cases, or custom display setups.

• Desktop-mounted display specimen: Presented on a handmade desktop stand, crafted from wood with brass furnishings and a custom specimen placard — designed to elevate the specimen as a true exhibit piece.

Medium

• Hand-painted resin