The Spinosaurus is the world's largest two-legged carnivorous dinosaur to date. You can recognize it by its dorsal flap and narrow snout. We have everything you need to know about the Spinosaurus, where it was found and its characteristics, as well as a short profile.
In this article you will find everything you need to know about the Spinosaurus dinosaur. He is consideredlargest carnivorous dinosaur, discovered to date and one of the most fascinating dinosaurs. Because he is the only predatory dinosaur thatpartially lived in the water and hunted there.
First we will briefly introduce you to the localities of the Spinosaurus and the history of its discovery. After that you will find the eight most important characteristics of the dinosaur like hisSize, beWeightand hisway of life.
Then we have a short oneCharacteristicsfor you, which summarizes all important information. Also, you will find oneComparison between T-Rex and Spinosaurusas well as interesting facts about the extinction of the giant lizards.
Locations of the Spinosaurus
Teeth of Spinosaurus aegyptiacus
Spinosaurus (colloquially also "Spino") refers to a dinosaur genus of which only the species"Spinosaurus aegyptiacus"is known. Translated, her name means "Egyptian Thorn Lizard". She became after herDiscovery site in Egyptnamed, and the1912first bones this kind ofErnst Stromer von Reichenbachwere discovered. There were other individual finds that are attributed to the "Spinosaurus maroccanus". However, this species has not yet been recognized due to the lack of bones.
From there, there were more finds of the carnivore that evenlarger than the Tyrannosaurus Rexis. During World War II, these finds were destroyed in one night and the Spinosaurus became oneunexploredLegend.
There were still some isolated finds of the mysterious dinosaur, but firstin 2014was aalmost complete skeleton findmade public, which finally provided more information about the Spinosaurus. His style turned out to be one of the most intriguingDinosaur Speciesout that was ever found.
Because the Spinosaurus is the only two-legged carnivore that lived, among other things, in the water and hunted there. HisLifestyle is comparable to that of a crocodileor hippopotamus. However, he belongs to the sameClassification of theropodslike a tyrannosaurus or allosaurus. It is only distantly related to marine dinosaurs. That's what makes him so special.
Thefirst dinosaur found in Germany, was the herbivore"Plateosaurus"in the year1835. It was only a few years later that the dinosaur species were identified as a separate group of animals.
In theantiquityor themiddle Agespeople could not explain the huge bone finds and myths andFairy taleabovemythical creatureslike dragons or giants.
8 Characteristics of Spinosaurus aegyptiacus
The Spinosaurus is considered the largest carnivorous dinosaur
In this chapter you will find everything you need to know about the Spinosaurus. We have compiled eight of its most important characteristics for you. These include, for example, hisgenusandclassificationwithin the dinosaur species.
You will also learn when and how the largest carnivore lived, how itsanatomywas and how he hunted. Afterwards we have a profile of the Spinosaurus with the most important data such asWeight,habitatandSizeat a glance.
Genus and Classification
The dinosaur species can be divided into two classes: the lizard-faced dinosaurs (Saurischia) and the bird-faced dinosaurs (Ornithischia). The Spinosaurus falls into the class ofEchsenbeckensaurier, more precisely in one of its subclasses: the theropods.
Theropodenare commonlyCarnivores that walk on two legs. They can also be divided into further subgenera. Spinosaurus belongs to the Spinosauridae subgenus. The Tyrannosaurus Rex, for example, is counted among the Coelurosauria.Spinosauridaeusually have onecrocodile skulland a so-calledback sail.
Although it lived partly in the water, hunted there and was a good swimmer, it is not directly related to the marine dinosaurs. Its fondness for water makes it unique among all theropods.
When the Spinosaurus lived
The Spinosaurus aegyptiacus livedabout 113 to 94 million years ago at the time of the Cretaceous. It can be divided into Lower Cretaceous and Upper Cretaceous. The robber lived in the transition from the Lower Cretaceous to the Upper Cretaceous. The exact time periods are given asalbium(112.9 to 100.5 million years ago) andCenomanium(100.5 to 93.9 million years ago).
habitat
Dinosaur researchers (palaeontologists) have not yet agreed on the habitat of the Spinosaurus. However, it is assumed that he is in amud flats in today's North Africalived. The first skeleton was found in 1912 near theBahariyya-Oase in Egyptfound.
The habitat of the dinosaur
The Spinosaurus lived there together with similarly large onescarnivoreslike Carcharodontosaurus (translated: "sharp-toothed lizard") and thelong-necked herbivoresTitanosaurs, Paralititan and Aegyptosaurus.
He also shares the habitat with the 10 meter longCrocodileStomatosuchus and a 3.5 meter longQuastenflosser. More bones were found inMorocco, Niger, Tunisia and Algeriafound. So its main habitat was what is now Africa.
Life expectancy
How old a Spinosaurus gotcould not be clearly clarified so far. However, a 30-year-old Tyrannosaurus Rex skeleton has already been found. So it could be that the Spinosaurus lived a similar age, since it was similar in size to the T-Rex and also belongs to the theropod genus.
physique and posture
The most distinctive feature of the Spinosaurus is itsback sail. It consists of elongated spinous processes on the back connected by skin. spinous processes areextensions of the vertebrae, which often protrude as humps in dinosaurs.
Researchers are not yet in agreement about the function of this sail. It probably served toCommunicationwith conspecifics (e.g. when displaying behavior) or the regulation of body temperature.
The body's center of gravity is further forward than, for example, with the T-Rex. Therefore, researchers assume that the Spinosaurusmoved mostly on four legshas. This posture is particularly suitable for paddling in the water.
Maybe he had toowebbed feetbetween the toes of the hind legs. As with many theropods, the hind legs were more powerful than the front legs. With its flexible tail, the dinosaur could also glide through currents.
Spinosaurus weight and size
The Spinosaurus is consideredlargest predatory dinosaur discovered to date. Estimates are he was4.5 meters high, 16 to 18 meters longand weighs between 6 and 20 tons. Researchers gave different estimates that changed over time. Probably oneWeight from 7 to 9 tons. His dorsal sail and his skull alone were each at least 1.7 meters long.
lifestyle and diet
Here the Spinosaurus catches an Onchopristis
It is assumed that the Spinosaurus hunted in the water andmainly fishate. On the menu here, for example, was the extinctOnchopristis, which looked a lot like a sawfish.
In addition, its long, pointed teeth, which are ideal for grasping slippery prey, speak in favor of eating fish as its main food. Added to this is its narrowcrocodile-like snout, which lends itself well toto catch fish in the water.
Seineclaws and armsare not large in relation to the rest of its body, but significantly larger than, for example, the T-Rex. With them, the Spinosaurus couldgrab caught fishto eat him. Hisoverhead nostrilsalso suggest that he could swim.
In addition to fish, the water-loving dinosaur probably hasalso eats meat. This is supported, for example, by a severed tooth that was found in a pterosaur and evidence of its close relative "Baryonyx" (family Spinosauridae), in whose digestive tract both fish and meat remains were found.
hunting behavior and speed
Probablysnappedthe Spino with preferencein the water for fishand pterosaurs flying by, who also wanted to get hold of some fish. But one can assume that he tooon land to huntleft when an opportunity arose.
To catch fish with his snout or claws, he needed onegood response time. In the water he has his strongmovable tail driveawarded. Due to its rather heavy bones and stooped stature, it was probably not the fastest of its kind.
The Spinosaurus is often depicted because it looks so special. Even before the Second World War it attracted many visitorsMunchner Museum, in which his finds were exhibited.
Today, many know the dinosaur from its role in the filmJurassic Park III, in which he defeats a T-Rex or through thatSurvival-Spiel "ARK: Survival Evolved"for computers, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Nintendo or as an app for Android and iOS.
PROFILE - The Spinosaurus aegyptiacus
The Spinosaurus in size comparison to its prey and humans
In this chapter we have summarized the most important features of the Spinosaurus aegyptiacus as a profile for you. Below you will find his, for examplegenus affiliation, its diet, importantbody features, seineSize, beWeightas well as hishabitatand theTimein which he lived.
You can see one in the picturesize comparisonbetween the Spino, its prey and man. A coelacanth and an onchopristis (pseudo sawfish) can be seen.
AndSpinosaurus and T Rexare in the constant fight for the most fearsome and strongest carnivore, we have a comparison to the T-Rex for you below. He tells you which of the two would probably win in a fight against each other.
- Species Name:Spinosaurus aegyptiacus ("Egyptian Thorn Lizard")
- Order:Echsenbeckensaurier (Saurischia)
- Group:Theropoden
- Subgroup:Spinosauridae
- Genus:Spinosaurus
- Nutrition:fish and carnivores
- Body features:Crocodile-like snout and dorsal flaps
- Long:16–18 Meter
- Height:about 4.5-5 meters
- Weight:7-9 tons
- Habitat:Africa (Egypt, Morocco, Niger, Algeria, Tunisia)
- Time:Between Lower Cretaceous and Upper Cretaceous about 113 to 94 million years ago
Spinosaurus versus T-Rex: Who is stronger?
Spinosaurus vs. T-Rex: Who is stronger?
T-Rex and Spinosaurus are considered the most dangerous and largest carnivores of the dinosaur age. TheT-Rexdid thatLanduncertain, whereas thespineon and inWaterhunted. People have therefore repeatedly asked themselves the question: What would have happened if the two apex predators had met? Who is stronger?
An advantage ofSpinosaurusare hislonger armsand its long pronounced claws. TheT-Rexhowever, has a verystrong biteand a stable neck. The Spinosaurus' power is distributed throughout its long body, while the Tyrannosaurus Rex embodies concentrated power. In addition, a T-Rex has stronger teeth and a strong bite force. Afull-grown T-Rex would probably have the better fighting conditions.
Either way, the two dinosaur species would never have met because theSpinosaurus lived more than 26 million years earlierhas than the T-Rex. Below we have a table for you that compares the fighting characteristics of the two predatory dinosaurs.
| Spinosaurus | Tyrannosaurus Rex | |
|---|---|---|
| Long | 16–18 Meter | 13 Meter |
| skull length | 1,7 Meter | 1,5 Meter |
| Height | 4,5–5 Meter | 4 Meter |
| Weight | 6-9 tons | 4.5-8.8 tons |
Spinosaurus extinction
Spinosaurus extinction
The first species of dinosaurs appeared on Earth about 245 million years ago. At the beginning of their reign, the continents were not yet separated by the sea and formed a contiguous land area ("Pangaea").66 million years agothen it came toExtinction of the Dinosaurs. At that time he wasSpinosaurus already extinct.
Researchers assume that he is aboutlived until 94 million years agohas. His living conditions have probably changed due to the climate, natural disasters or other circumstances, so that he could no longer survive. Nevertheless, he hasSpinosaurusin approximatelylived on our earth for 19 million years- much longer than we humans.
Many scientists still assume that the dinosaurs were killed by ameteorite impact, severalvolcanic eruptionsor both died. However, there is no irrefutable evidence for this. Another theory is the fastdrop in sea level.
DieEarth is already 4.6 billion years old. The dinosaur extinction is one of five mass extinctions in the last 550 million years. Despite the extinction of the giant lizardsbirdlike dinosaurs and mammals continued to survivebecame the dominant land animals. Today's birds and crocodiles are also descended from dinosaurs.
(10votes, average:4,50out of 5)
You need to be a registered member to rate this.
Loading...
FAQs
What are Spinosaurus characteristics? ›
Like other spinosaurids, Spinosaurus possessed a long narrow skull resembling that of a crocodile and nostrils near the eyes, instead of near the end of the snout. Its teeth were straight and conical, instead of curved and bladelike as in other theropods.
What was the Spinosaurus body structure? ›As a spinosaurid, Spinosaurus would have had a long, muscular neck, curved in a sigmoid, or S-shape. Its shoulders were prominent, and the forelimbs large and stocky, bearing three clawed digits on each hand. The first finger (or "thumb") would have been the largest.
What is Spinosaurus info for kids? ›Spinosaurus (which means 'spiny lizard') was a huge semi-aquatic dinosaur from the Cretaceous, 112 to 97 million years ago. It had paddle-like feet and nostrils on top of its crocodile-like head. This would let it submerge as a crocodile does.
Is Spinosaurus a girl or a boy? ›The team mentioned multiple times it's a male.
What is Spinosaurus strength? ›Spinosaurus. Also known as the “spine lizard”, the Spinosaurus roamed during the Cretaceous period and could exert a force of 4,200 lbs per square inch. This is similar to that of the modern Nile crocodile.
Did Spinosaurus have 4 legs? ›Our understanding of how Spinosaurus walked has changed over the years. Some reconstructions of Spinosaurus show it walking on all fours, while many scientists today believe that it was able to walk on two legs.
What killed Spinosaurus? ›Grant uses the Velociraptor resonation chamber replica to summon the film's pack of Velociraptors which attack the Spinosaur and kill it, unlike in the final where Grant uses a flare gun found on the barge to scare away the Spinosaurus.
Why Spinosaurus is better than T Rex? ›T-Rex is smaller than Spinosaurus, but the T-Rex is smarter and built to kill. The Spinosaurus was heavier, taller, and longer than the T-Rex, but the latter's bite was far more powerful. The Spinosaurus was also believed to be semi-aquatic, but the T-Rex lived solely on land.
What does a real Spinosaurus look like? ›Longer than an adult Tyrannosaurus rex, the 50-foot-long, seven-ton predator had a large sail on its back and an elongated snout that resembled the maw of a crocodile, bristling with conical teeth.
Does a Spinosaurus have a spine? ›The name Spinosaurus means “spine lizard.” It had highly distinctive spines on its back: long extensions of its vertebrae that, when covered in skin, may have formed a sail-like structure. The sail of Spinosaurus was likely used as a display to act as a warning to enemies and perhaps to attract mates.
Do Spinosaurus have teeth? ›
Spinosaurus had a long snout. Its jaws were full of long sharply pointed teeth. Unlike the T-rex, spinosaur teeth are not serrated but smooth and round along the length. Because the upper and lower teeth interlock much like a crocodile some researchers believe that spinosaurs ate fish.
What did the Spinosaurus eat? › How many teeth did Spinosaurus have? ›Spinosaurus had a skull with a narrow snout filled with approximately 64 straight conical teeth with two carinae that lacked serrations. The hypothesis is that Spinosaurus was a semi-aquatic piscivore, meaning that it ate fish.
Is the jp3 Spinosaurus dead? ›The Spinosaurus swims away and isn't seen again. However, a deleted scene gave the creature a much more violent death, in which Grant used the Velociraptor Resonation Chamber he'd found earlier to summon a pack of raptors, who attacked and killed the Spinosaurus.
What abilities does a Spinosaurus have? ›| Name | Description |
|---|---|
| Claw swipe | A claw attack that causes high damage. (Actually causes medium damage and bleed) |
| Fisher | Can eat meat and fish, moderate food drain. |
| Hypercarnivore | Only able to eat meat, food drains much slower. |
| Scavenger | Can eat fish, meat, carrion, shellfish, and bones. Fast food and water drain. |
Actually, Spinosaurus is extremely aggressive and territorial, and it attacks any other predator that invades its domain. A very reliable witness claims that Spinosaurus is actually attracted by the territorial marks of other predators, such as T-Rex, and quickly appears to get rid of the intruder.
What is the special ability of the Spinosaurus? ›Spinosaurus is an incredibly well-rounded apex carnivore. Faster than a Tyrannosaurus in water and able to travel on land unlike a Megalodon, its all-terrain versatility may be unrivaled. Although its movement speed is slower in a biped stance, it gains considerable attacking strength and mobility in this form.
Is Spinosaurus smarter than T-Rex? ›The Spinosaurus was heavier, taller, and longer than the T-Rex, but the latter's bite was far more powerful. The Spinosaurus was also believed to be semi-aquatic, but the T-Rex lived solely on land. Lastly, the T-Rex was far more intelligent than the Spinosaurus and had more acute senses.