Dutheil and Sues, Larsson, Sereno, Wilson

Afrovenator

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Learn more about the Afrovenator

Quick Facts
Name	Afrovenator
Diet	Carnivore
Weight	1000 kilos
Length	8 meters
Height	1 meter
Period	Early Cretaceous

Afroventiger was a genus of megalosaurid theropod dinosaur from the Middle Jurassic period of northern Africa. The fossils were discovered in the Tiourarén Formation of the Agadez department in Niger.

It was a large and fearsome predator during its time. It was closely related to the Allosaurus, which it closely resembled. This animal consisted of powerful jaws containing rows of serrated, dagger-like teeth, which were used to rip and tear food that was up to 2 inches long. The arms were short with three sickle-clawed toes, it used its prey and sliced it open. Their hind legs were long and powerful, allowing them to run faster. Its long, stiff tail served as a counterweight to the body.

The Afrovenator was a bipedal dinosaur that walked or ran on its two hind legs. It reproduced by laying eggs like other dinosaurs.

It could reach a length of up to 9 meters and weighed 1,000 kg.

What does the name Afrovenator mean?

The name Afrovenator means "African hunter".

What did the Afrovenator eat?

The Afrovenator was a large and fearsome predator during its time. It hunted sauropod dinosaurs for food.

When did the Afrovenator live?

Afrovenator was a genus of megalosaurid theropod dinosaur from the Middle Jurassic period of North Africa.

Where did they live?

When did they live?

What was your diet?

Who discovered them?

What kind of dinosaurs are they?

What type of species are they?

How are they classified?

References

Sereno, P.C., Wilson, J.A., Larsson, H.C.E., Dutheil, D.B., & Sues, H-D. 1994. Early Cretaceous dinosaurs from the Sahara. Science 266: 267-270.
Paul, G.S., 2010, The Princeton Field Guide to Dinosaurs, Princeton University Press p. 90
M.T. Carrano, R.B.J. Benson, and S.D. Sampson, 2012, "The phylogeny of Tetanurae (Dinosauria: Theropoda)", Journal of Systematic Palaeontology 10(2): 211-300
Rauhut and López-Arbarello, 2009. Considerations on the age of the Tiouaren Formation (Iullemmeden Basin, Niger, Africa): Implications for Gondwanan Mesozoic terrestrial vertebrate faunas. Palaeogeography, Palaeoclimatology, Palaeoecology. 271, 259-267.
Carrano, M.T., Sampson, S.D. & Forster, C.F. 2002. The osteology of Masiakasaurus knopfleria small abelisauroid (Dinosauria: Theropoda) from the Late Cretaceous of Madagascar. Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology 22(3): 510-534.
Allain, R. 2002. Discovery of megalosaur (Dinosauria, Theropoda) in the middle Bathonian of Normandy (France) and its implications for the phylogeny of basal Tetanurae. Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology 22(3): 548-563.
Holtz, T.R., Molnar, R.E., Currie, P.J. 2004. Basal Tetanurae. In: Weishampel, D.B., Dodson, P., & Osmolska, H. (Eds.). The Dinosauria (2nd Edition). Berkeley: University of California Press. Pp. 71-110.
Rauhut, O.W.M. (2003). The Interrelationships and Evolution of Basal Theropod Dinosaurs. Special Papers in Palaeontology 69. London: The Palaeontological Association. Pp. 1-215.

Fun Facts

The name Afrovenator means "African hunter".
He was a great and fearsome predator during his time.
He ran on two legs.
It reproduced by laying eggs like other dinosaurs.
It was closely related to the Allosaurus.