Dilophosaurus

Name meaning:

Two-crested lizard

Period of life:

184-183 mya

Period:

Jurassic period

Habitat:

Floodplains

Taxonomy:

Theropods

Countries:

Jurassic period Dilophosaurus | 3D Dinopedia

Archaeopteryx

Apatosaurus

Dilophosaurus ()

Dilophosaurus was one of the largest bipedal predators living in what is now the United States during the Early Jurassic, about 190 million years ago.

This dinosaur became widely known thanks to the film Jurassic Park. However, its movie portrayal was far from accurate. On screen, Dilophosaurus appears as a small creature that spits venom and spreads a bright, leathery neck frill. In reality, it was much more impressive: it stood about two meters tall and weighed up to 400 kilograms.

Dilophosaurus was an agile and fast-moving predator, probably hunting mostly alone. Its diet included small dinosaurs, reptiles, and fish, though scientists believe it may also have attacked larger herbivores such as prosauropods. It likely did not refuse carrion either. Strong forelimbs with a large first claw helped it hold prey or catch slippery fish.

The most distinctive feature of Dilophosaurus was the pair of graceful crests on its head—this is exactly what gave the genus its name, meaning “two-crested lizard.” The function of these structures remains uncertain. They were too fragile to serve as weapons or protection. Most likely, the crests were used for display, species recognition, or courtship, helping males attract females.

And unlike in Hollywood fiction, Dilophosaurus had neither a frill nor venomous saliva—those details were purely invented by filmmakers.

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