In Depth Concavenator is certainly different from the other known theropod dinosaurs that came before it. Its most striking feature is the protrusion above its hips that is caused by the extension of two presacral vertebrae. Its speculated that these vertebrae would have supported either a sail or hump structure. Theories as to its purpose … Read more
In Depth Even though the name Eocarcharia means ‘dawn shark’, it was actually a theropod dinosaur. This name came about from the serrated slicing teeth that are thought to have sliced through flesh as easily as a shark. The dawn part is a reference to its early appearance to some other related genera. Although only … Read more
In Depth Kelmayisaurus is a genus of carcharodontosaurid dinosaur that lived in China during the early Cretaceous. Kelmayisaurus is currently only known by partial upper and lower jaws, and because of this the exact size of Kelmayisaurus is still unknown. There are still reports of a second species named K. “grandis” approaching sizes of up … Read more
In Depth The name Carcharodontosaurus is derived from the Carcharodon genus of sharks, a group famous for including the great white shark (Carcharodon carcharias). This name was chosen because the teeth are sharp and serrated in a similar manner to the great white sharks, something that meant they could slice through the flesh of prey … Read more
In Depth The fragmentary nature of Shaochilong resulted in it being included into the Chilantaisaurus genus, a theropod dinosaur also from the Ulansuhai Formation. However while fragmentary, the fossil remains for C. maortuensis were much larger that the estimated length of two and a half meters for other Chilantaisaurus material. Questions were first raised about … Read more
In Depth Giganotosaurus made headlines around the world when it was discovered simply for the fact that it was a carnivorous dinosaur that was bigger than Tyrannosaurus. Although the current estimate of Giganotosaurus has it approaching a length of thirteen meters, analysis of a dentary from a second individual suggests that it could grow even … Read more
In Depth Acrocanthosaurus immediately sticks out from other large theropods with its high dorsal spines than run from the neck to the tip of the tail. There have been many artistic representations for this structure from the spines standing proud from the body, to supporting a flap of skin. Modern thinking however comes from the … Read more
In Depth Taurovenator is a genus of carcharodontosaurid theropod dinosaur that lived in South America during the Late Cretaceous. At the time of writing, Taurovenator is only known from partial skull remains. Further Reading - New theropod fauna from the Upper Cretaceous (Huincul Formation) of northwestern Patagonia, Argentina. - New Mexico Museum of Natural History … Read more
In Depth Lajasvenator is a genus of carcharodontosaurid dinosaur that lived in South America during the Early cretaceous. Carcharodontosaurid dinosaurs have a reputation for being some of the largest predatory dinosaurs, but Lajasvenator is at the opposite end of the scale, and represents perhaps one of the smallest carcharodontsaurid known. Further Reading - An Early … Read more