Texas designated Brachiosaur sauropod, Pleurocoelus as the official state dinosaur in 1997. Brachiosaurus left its bones and footprints in the north and central parts of Texas about 110 million years ago. This early Cretaceous dinosaur was one of the largest animals to ever walk the Earth (from 30 to 60 feet long; weighing 20 - 45 tons). Pleurocoelus fossil fragments have been found in Texas, Maryland, and England, but complete skeletons are unknown.

Quote from Exploring Texas (Texas Parks & Wildlife*) :

"The hind feet left huge saucerlike deprssions with three claw marks up front. The front-foot tracks are smaller and resemble horseshoes. Scientists think that Pleurocoelus must have walked on the tips of its front toes which were enclosed in a kind of padded sheath"

Source:

Exploring Texas: Texas Parks & Wildlife
Texas: Pleurocoelus: State Fossils.com

Links:

Texas State Dinosaur: TxDOT
How Big was Brachiosaur?
Texas Dinosaurs Kids Page: Texas Parks & Wildlife
Lone Star Dinosaurs: Texas Parks & Wildlife
Dinosaurs of North America: Nature of New England
Senate Resolution: Texas Legislature Online
State Fossils & Dinosaurs - 50 States

* Dinosaur image and quoted text was copied on 12/08/04 from Texas Parks & Wildlife Department's Web Site: www.tpwd.state.tx.us. Neither this website, nor the information presented on this website, is endorsed by the State of Texas or Texas Parks and Wildlife Department.