Carcharodontosaurus

Name meaning:

Shark-toothed lizard

Period of life:

99-94 mya

Period:

Cretaceous period

Habitat:

Mangrove forests and bayous

Taxonomy:

Theropods

Countries:

Cretaceous period Carcharodontosaurus | 3D Dinopedia

Sauroniops

Gallimimus

Carcharodontosaurus (99-94 mya)

Carcharodontosaurus was one of the largest predators of the Late Cretaceous. It lived about 100 million years ago in what is now North Africa. Fossils of this giant have been found in Algeria, Morocco, Egypt, and Niger—regions that were once part of vast humid plains with dense forests and large river systems.

This dinosaur ranked among the largest terrestrial predators ever known. It could reach up to 13 meters in length and weighed approximately 6–8 tonnes, making it comparable in size to Tyrannosaurus rex. Carcharodontosaurus had a long, narrow skull about 1.5 meters in length and powerful hind limbs used for locomotion. Its long tail acted as a counterbalance to the heavy head and massive body.

The name Carcharodontosaurus comes from Greek and literally means «lizard with the teeth of a great white shark». The dinosaur received this name because of the shape of its teeth. Enormous—up to 12 centimeters long—and bearing sharp, serrated edges, they closely resembled the teeth of modern sharks. These blade-like teeth were ideal for slicing through flesh rather than crushing bone, as in some other large theropods. Because of this distinctive morphology, isolated teeth of Carcharodontosaurus are easily recognizable in the fossil record.

At the time when this predator dominated its environment, the present-day Sahara Desert looked very different. Instead of arid sands, the region was covered by green plains, tropical forests, and extensive river networks. In this warm, resource-rich ecosystem, Carcharodontosaurus occupied the role of apex predator, hunting large herbivorous dinosaurs and standing as one of the most formidable carnivores of the Cretaceous world.

Discussions

No discussions yet

Start the first one!

Start a discussion