• New dinosaur species Nagatitan chaiyaphumensis discovered in Thailand.
• This dinosaur is the largest ever found in Southeast Asia, measuring approximately 27 meters long and weighing around 27 tonnes.
• Nagatitan lived approximately 113 million years ago during the Cretaceous period.
• Local villager discovered the fossils in Chaiyaphum province, leading to ongoing excavations since 2016.
• Nagatitan's name reflects both regional mythology and the colossal nature of sauropods.

Scientists have unveiled the remains of a new dinosaur species, Nagatitan chaiyaphumensis, identified as the largest dinosaur ever discovered in Southeast Asia. This massive herbivore is estimated to have been nearly 27 meters (approximately 88 feet) long and weighed about 27 tonnes, equivalent to nine adult elephants. The findings were published in the journal Scientific Reports, detailing the dinosaur's significant size and unique traits that justify its classification as a new species, according to Al Jazeera and India Times.

Nagatitan roamed the Earth approximately 113 million years ago, a period marked by a warm and humid climate with abundant vegetation. The species likely fed on a variety of plant life, including conifers and ferns, with researchers noting that Nagatitan was a "bulk browser," consuming vast quantities of foliage that required minimal chewing. This was emphasized by lead researcher Thitiwoot Sethapanichsakul from University College London, who highlighted that the dinosaur's anatomical features included “honeycomb” bones, which helped in reducing weight while maintaining strength, according to Bangkok Post and India Times.

The discovery originated from a local villager's encounter in 2016, where enormous bones were found protruding from the ground in Chaiyaphum province. Over subsequent years, paleontologists excavated the site, revealing vertebrae, ribs, pelvis, and significant limb bones, notably a humerus measuring 1.78 meters. The research conducted indicates that the ecosystem's largest predator during Nagatitan's time was smaller than it, thus Nagatitan had few natural threats from other land animals, which is reflected in its size and stature, according to South China Morning Post and Channel News Asia.

Nagatitan's nomenclature is inspired by "Naga," a mythical serpent from Southeast Asian culture, symbolizing both the geographic and cultural significance of the find. Researchers propose that this dinosaur, being unearthed from one of the youngest rock formations in the region, could be seen as "the last titan," as the environment would eventually transform into a shallow sea, precluding the existence of large sauropods in the area, according to CBS News and Al Jazeera.