CARCHARODONTOSAURUS
Carcharodontosaurus saharicus
Meaning: "Shark-Toothed Lizard"
📊 STATS
Size comparison:
As long as a school bus!
📖 ABOUT CARCHARODONTOSAURUS
Meet Carcharodontosaurus, the 'Shark-Toothed Lizard'! This giant carnivore roamed North Africa during the Cretaceous period, with teeth like serrated knives and a body as long as a bus!
Imagine a dinosaur with teeth like a shark! That's Carcharodontosaurus, whose name literally means 'shark-toothed lizard'. This massive meat-eater lived in North Africa during the Late Cretaceous period, around 93 to 100 million years ago. It was one of the largest carnivorous dinosaurs ever, even bigger than Tyrannosaurus Rex in length! Carcharodontosaurus had powerful jaws filled with long, serrated teeth, perfect for slicing through the flesh of its prey, probably other large dinosaurs like sauropods. It was a bipedal predator, meaning it walked on two legs, and could probably run at speeds of up to 32 kilometers per hour to chase down its dinner. Although its arms were small, its strong legs and huge size made it a fearsome hunter. Carcharodontosaurus fossils have been found in several countries in North Africa, including Algeria, Egypt, and Morocco, giving us a glimpse into the life of this incredible giant that once ruled the prehistoric landscape.
🔬 CLASSIFICATION
- Group
- Theropoda
- Family
- Carcharodontosauridae
- Period
- Late Cretaceous (100-66 Ma)
- Era
- 100.0 - 93.0 million years ago
🗺️ DISCOVERY
- Year
- 1927
- Discovered by
- Charles Depéret
- Location
- Algeria
- Fossils found in
- Algeria, Egypt, Morocco, Niger
🎨 SCIENTIFIC ILLUSTRATION
Artistic reconstruction of Carcharodontosaurus based on fossil evidence
🗺️ WHERE FOSSILS WERE FOUND
Algeria, Egypt, Morocco, Niger
🤓 FUN FACTS
- ✨ Carcharodontosaurus was discovered in 1927, but the original fossils were sadly destroyed during World War II!
- ✨ Its bite force was estimated to be around 30,000 Newtons – that's like having a truck parked on your foot!
- ✨ Even though it was huge, Carcharodontosaurus was still lighter than some other giant dinosaurs like Argentinosaurus.
- ✨ Scientists believe Carcharodontosaurus may have hunted in packs sometimes, making them even more dangerous!
- ✨ Its brain was relatively small compared to its massive body, about the size of a grapefruit!
💡 DID YOU KNOW?
Get this! Carcharodontosaurus lived in the same area and time as Spinosaurus, another huge predator. Imagine those two giants battling it out!
