DILOPHOSAURUS

Dilophosaurus, meaning 'Two-Crested Lizard,' was one of the earliest large predatory dinosaurs, living during the Early Jurassic period. Imagine a fast, agile hunter roaming what is now Arizona, USA, about 193 million years ago! What makes Dilophosaurus stand out are the two semi-circular crests on its head, probably used for display – like a dinosaur wearing a fancy hat to attract mates or show off to rivals. These crests were quite delicate, so they probably weren't used for fighting.

Dilophosaurus was a carnivore, meaning it ate meat. Scientists believe it likely hunted smaller dinosaurs and other animals. It was a bipedal dinosaur, walking on two legs, and could probably run up to 30 kilometers per hour – that’s pretty speedy! At around 6-7 meters long and 2 meters tall, it was a formidable predator. Although its bite force is unknown, it likely used its sharp teeth and claws to capture and eat its prey. Dilophosaurus belongs to the family Dilophosauridae and the larger group Theropoda, which includes many other meat-eating dinosaurs. Fossils have only been found in Arizona, making it a unique American dinosaur!