Dryptosaurus was a genus of tyrannosaur that lived in the Cretaceous period and inhabited North America. This carnivorous dinosaur was a large, bipedal, terrestrial creature. In addition, it was the only carnivorous dinosaur on the east coast of the United States based on more than a single bone. Thanks to workers at the West Jersey Marl Company in Gloucester County, New Jersey, who found the partial skeleton more than a hundred years ago in a New Jersey quarry. Believe it or not, it was originally called Laelaps; this name had been given to a spider, so it was renamed Dryptosaurus.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Unfortunately, the only parts of the skull that were unearthed were pieces of the jaws. The shape of its teeth showed that it was a meat-eater like those of a steak knife. This claim was supported by a single huge eight-inch claw; however, it probably had several. The name Dryptosaurus means \"tearing lizard\" referring to its clawed hands, preferably like eagle claws. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The hind legs were much longer than the front legs, so it walked on two legs while its tail acted as a balance. The skeleton shows that this creature was about eight feet tall at the hips. It is still hard to say that Dryptosaurus is related to other carnivorous dinosaurs, however it looked a bit like a tyrannosaur. It had long limbs for its size and larger, curved claws on its hands.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Dryptosaurus was estimated to be 7.5 meters long and weighed 1.5 metric tons.<\/p>\n\n\n\n