Description
Spinosaurs are a group of extinct carnivorous dinosaurs that lived in North Africa during the Late Cretaceous period, 112-93.5 million years ago. The only complete skeleton of Spinosaurus was discovered in Egypt in 1915 and was destroyed in the Second World War, but numerous fragmented remains were later discovered in Egypt and Morocco. It is estimated that Spinosaurus could reach sizes between 13-18 meters and weigh between 7-20 tonnes, which makes it one of the largest carnivorous dinosaurs of all time, even larger than the famous Tyrannosaurus rex!
The body of Spinosaurus was more slender than that of other carnivorous dinosaurs and adapted to a semi-aquatic lifestyle, similar to that of a modern crocodile. Its teeth measured 4–17 cm, lacked serrations and were specialised for catching fish and other aquatic reptiles, although they could also be used to attack terrestrial prey. Spinosaurus had one of the most complex dentitions of all dinosaurs, due to the varied categories of prey it hunted.
Along the back, Spinosaurus had a series of vertebral extensions that joined together into a sail-like structure, whose purpose was suspected to be either social or thermoregulatory.
The teeth of Spinosaurus and fragments of bones are found in large quantities in Morocco and are collected by dinosaur enthusiasts from all over the world.
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