List of Dinosaurs
From EverybodyWiki Bios & Wiki
Color Codes
| red | (●) | + | yellow | (●) | = | orange | (●) |
| yellow | (●) | + | blue | (●) | = | green | (●) |
| blue | (●) | + | red | (●) | = | purple | (●) |
| red | (●) | + | orange | (●) | = | red-orange | (●) | ~ | vermilion |
| orange | (●) | + | yellow | (●) | = | yellow-orange | (●) | ~ | amber |
| yellow | (●) | + | green | (●) | = | yellow-green | (●) | ~ | chartreuse |
| green | (●) | + | blue | (●) | = | blue-green | (●) | ~ | teal |
| blue | (●) | + | purple | (●) | = | blue-purple | (●) | ~ | violet/indigo |
| purple | (●) | + | red | (●) | = | red-purple | (●) | ~ | magenta |
Several books share or closely match the name "Prehistoric Planet". Depending on whether you are looking for an extension of the popular BBC / Apple TV+ docuseries or a specific children's book, you are likely looking for one of the following:
1. Documentaries & Companion Books
While the Prehistoric Planet series narrated by Sir David Attenborough does not have an exactly named "Prehistoric Planet" tie-in book, viewers frequently look for these closely related official companions:
- Life on Our Planet by Dr. Tom Fletcher: The official hardcover companion book to the groundbreaking prehistoric Netflix series. It is highly recommended if you love the cinematic, photo-real style of Prehistoric Planet, as it features over 200 photos, scientific breakdowns, and CGI reconstructions.
- Our Planet by Alastair Fothergill: The official companion book to the broader Attenborough nature documentary project.
2. Children's Books
If you are looking for specific books with this exact title, there are a few highly rated options across different age groups:
- Our Prehistoric Planet: Dinosaurs and Other Creatures of the Past (Ages 2–5) Written by Sue Lowell Gallion, this unique board book features beautiful rhyming verse and fold-out pages that transform the book into a free-standing globe. It takes young kids on a chronological journey from early ocean life to the age of dinosaurs.
- One Day on Our Prehistoric Planet... With a T. Rex (Ages 3–7) Part of a popular educational series by Ella Bailey, this picture book follows the daily life of a baby Tyrannosaurus rex and its family as they navigate their ancient environment. [1]
- The Prehistoric Planet (Galaxy Zack #3) (Ages 5–9) An illustrated sci-fi chapter book by Ray O'Ryan. It follows a young boy named Zack who goes on an outer-space adventure to return a baby pterosaur to its home world, the "Prehistoric Planet".
Which of these versions were you looking for? If you are looking for a specific book format (like a coffee table book, a graphic novel, or a toddler book), let me know so I can give you the direct link to buy it or find the exact author you need.
red (1)
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scarlet (4)
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vermilion (3)
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persimmon (4)
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orange (2)
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tangerine (4)
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amber (3)
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marigold (4)
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yellow (1)
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lemon (4)
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chartreuse (3)
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lime (4)
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green (2)
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viridian (4)
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teal (3)
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cerulean (4)
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blue (1)
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indigo (4)
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violet (3)
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iris (4)
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purple (2)
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aubergine (4)
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magenta (3)
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crimson (4)
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Saurischia
Suborder: Theropoda | Infraorder: Ceratosauria
| Name Meaning | Clade / Family | Location | Temporal Range | Height | Length | Mass | Diet | Formation | Author / Discoverer |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Coelophysis bauri
• Hollow form |
Podokesauridae | New Mexico & Arizona, USA | Late Triassic (~228–201 Ma) | ~0.9 m (3 ft) | ~3 m (10 ft) | ~15–20 kg (33–44 lbs) | Carnivore | Chinle Formation / Ghost Ranch | Edward Drinker Cope (1889) |
| Podokesaurus holyokensis
• Swift-footed lizard |
Podokesauridae | Massachusetts, USA | Early Jurassic (~190 Ma) | ~0.3 m (1 ft) | ~1 m (3.3 ft) | ~1–4 kg (2–9 lbs) | Carnivore | Portland Formation | Mignon Talbot (1911) |
| Procompsognathus triassicus
• Before elegant jaw |
Podokesauridae | Germany | Late Triassic (~210 Ma) | ~0.4 m (1.3 ft) | ~1 m (3.3 ft) | ~1 kg (2.2 lbs) | Carnivore / Insectivore | Stubensandstein Member (Löwenstein Formation) | Eberhard Fraas (1913) |
| Ceratosaurus nasicornis
• Horned lizard |
Ceratosauridae | Utah & Colorado, USA; Portugal | Late Jurassic (~153–148 Ma) | ~2 m (6.6 ft) | ~5.5–7 m (18–23 ft) | ~500–1,000 kg | Carnivore | Morrison Formation | Othniel Charles Marsh (1884) |
| Dilophosaurus wetherilli
• Two-crested lizard |
Dilophosauridae | Arizona, USA | Early Jurassic (~193 Ma) | ~2 m (6.6 ft) | ~7 m (23 ft) | ~400 kg (880 lbs) | Carnivore | Kayenta Formation | Samuel Paul Welles (1954) |
| Carnotaurus sastrei
• Meat-eating bull |
Abelisauridae | Chubut Province, Argentina | Late Cretaceous (~72–69 Ma) | ~2.5–3 m (8–10 ft) | ~7.5–9 m (25–30 ft) | ~1,350 kg (1.5 tons) | Carnivore | La Colonia Formation | José Bonaparte (1985) |
| Majungasaurus crenatissimus
• Mahajanga lizard |
Abelisauridae | Madagascar | Late Cretaceous (~70–66 Ma) | ~2 m (6.6 ft) | ~6–7 m (20–23 ft) | ~1,100 kg (1.1 tons) | Carnivore (Cannibalistic) | Maevarano Formation | René Lavocat (1955) |
Suborder: Theropoda | Infraorder: Carnosauria
| Name Meaning | Clade / Family | Location | Temporal Range | Height | Length | Mass | Diet | Formation | Author / Discoverer |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Eustreptospondylus oxoniensis
• True well-curved vertebra of Oxford |
Megalosauridae | Oxfordshire, England | Middle Jurassic (~163 Ma) | ~1.5 m (5 ft) | ~4.6 m (15 ft) | ~500 kg (1,100 lbs) | Carnivore / Piscivore | Oxford Clay Formation | Sir Richard Owen (1841) / Walker (1964) |
| Poekilopleuron bucklandii
• Varied ribs of Buckland |
Megalosauridae | Normandy, France | Middle Jurassic (~167 Ma) | ~2 m (6.5 ft) | ~7 m (23 ft) | ~1,000 kg (1 ton) | Carnivore | Calcaire de Caen | Jacques Amand Eudes-Deslongchamps (1838) |
| Torvosaurus gurneyi
• Savage lizard of James Gurney |
Megalosauridae | Portugal | Late Jurassic (~150 Ma) | ~3.5 m (11.5 ft) | ~10 m (33 ft) | ~4,000–5,000 kg | Carnivore | Lourinhã Formation | Christophe Hendrickx & Octávio Mateus (2014) |
| Acrocanthosaurus atokensis
• High-spined lizard from Atoka |
Carcharodontosauridae | Oklahoma, Texas, & Maryland, USA | Early Cretaceous (~113–110 Ma) | ~4 m (13 ft) | ~11.5 m (38 ft) | ~5,700–6,200 kg | Carnivore | Antlers Formation / Twin Mountains | J. Willis Stovall & Wann Langston Jr. (1950) |
| Giganotosaurus carolinii
• Giant southern lizard of Carolini |
Carcharodontosauridae | Patagonia, Argentina | Late Cretaceous (~98–97 Ma) | ~4 m (13 ft) | ~12–13 m (40–43 ft) | ~7,000–8,500 kg | Carnivore | Candeleros Formation | Rodolfo Coria & Leonardo Salgado (1995) |
| Allosaurus europaeus
• Different European lizard |
Allosauridae | Portugal; New Mexico, USA | Late Jurassic (~150 Ma) | ~3.7 m (12 ft) | ~12 m (40 ft) | ~1,000–6,500 kg | Carnivore | Lourinhã; Morrison Formation | Mateus et al. (2006) |
| Yangchuanosaurus zigongensis
• Yangchuan lizard from Zigong |
Allosauridae | Sichuan, China | Middle Jurassic (~165 Ma) | ~2.5 m (8 ft) | ~8 m (26 ft) | ~1,300 kg (1.4 tons) | Carnivore | Upper Shaximiao Formation | Gao Yuhui (1993) |
| Baryonyx walkeri
• Heavy claw of Walker |
Spinosauridae | Surrey, England; Spain | Early Cretaceous (~125–121 Ma) | ~2.5 m (8 ft) | ~10 m (33 ft) | ~1,200–1,700 kg | Piscivore / Carnivore | Weald Clay Formation | Alan J. Walker (1983) / Charig & Milner (1986) |
| Spinosaurus aegyptiacus
• Spine lizard from Egypt |
Spinosauridae | Egypt & Morocco | Late Cretaceous (~99–93 Ma) | ~4.5 m (15 ft) (with sail) | ~14 m (46 ft) | ~6,000–7,500 kg | Piscivore / Generalist | Bahariya Formation / Kem Kem | Ernst Stromer (1915) |
| Suchomimus tenerensis
• Crocodile mimic from Ténéré |
Spinosauridae | Ténéré Desert, Niger | Early Cretaceous (~121–112 Ma) | ~3 m (10 ft) | ~9.5–11 m (31–36 ft) | ~3,000–5,200 kg | Piscivore / Carnivore | Elrhaz Formation | Paul Sereno et al. (1998) |
| Albertosaurus sarcophagus
• Flesh-eating Alberta lizard |
Tyrannosauridae | Alberta, Canada | Late Cretaceous (~71–68 Ma) | ~3 m (10 ft) | ~8–9 m (26–30 ft) | ~1,700–2,500 kg | Carnivore | Horseshoe Canyon Formation | Henry Fairfield Osborn (1905) |
| Gorgosaurus libratus
• Fierce balanced lizard |
Tyrannosauridae | Alberta, Canada; Montana, USA | Late Cretaceous (~76–75 Ma) | ~2.8 m (9 ft) | ~8–9 m (26–30 ft) | ~2,000–2,400 kg | Carnivore | Dinosaur Park Formation | Lawrence Lambe (1914) |
| Qianzhousaurus sinensis
• Qianzhou lizard from China |
Tyrannosauridae | Ganzhou, China | Late Cretaceous (~66 Ma) | ~2.5 m (8 ft) | ~8–9 m (26–30 ft) | ~800–1,000 kg | Carnivore | Nanxiong Formation | Junchang Lü et al. (2014) |
| Tarbosaurus bataar
• Alarming hero lizard |
Tyrannosauridae | Mongolia & China | Late Cretaceous (~70 Ma) | ~3.5 m (11.5 ft) | ~10–12 m (33–39 ft) | ~4,500–5,000 kg | Carnivore | Nemegt Formation | Evgeny Maleev (1955) |
| Tyrannosaurus rex
• King of the tyrant lizards |
Tyrannosauridae | Western North America | Late Cretaceous (~68–66 Ma) | ~3.7–6 m (12–19.7 ft) | ~12–15 m (40–49.2 ft) | ~8,000–9,500 kg | Apex Carnivore / Scavenger | Hell Creek, Lance Formation | Barnum Brown (1902) / Osborn (1905) |
Suborder: Theropoda | Infraorder: Coelurosauria
| Name Meaning | Clade / Family | Location | Temporal Range | Height | Length | Mass | Diet | Formation | Author / Discoverer |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Coelurus fragilis
• Hollow tail |
Coeluridae | Wyoming, USA | Late Jurassic (~153–150 Ma) | ~0.7 m (2.3 ft) | ~2.4 m (8 ft) | ~13–20 kg (28–44 lbs) | Carnivore / Insectivore | Morrison Formation | Othniel Charles Marsh (1879) |
| Ornitholestes hermanni
• Bird robber of Hermann |
Coeluridae | Wyoming & Colorado, USA | Late Jurassic (~154 Ma) | ~0.8 m (2.6 ft) | ~2 m (6.6 ft) | ~12–15 kg (26–33 lbs) | Carnivore | Morrison Formation | Henry Fairfield Osborn (1903) |
| Moros intrepidus
• Impending doom / Intrepid harbinger |
Tyrannosauroidea | Utah, USA | Late Cretaceous (~96 Ma) | ~1.2 m (4 ft) | ~2.5 m (8 ft) | ~78 kg (170 lbs) | Carnivore | Cedar Mountain Formation | Lindsay Zanno et al. (2019) |
| Nanotyrannus lethaeus
• Dwarf tyrant of the River Lethe |
Tyrannosauroidea | Montana, USA | Late Cretaceous (~67–66 Ma) | ~1.5 m (5 ft) | ~4.5–5 m (15–16 ft) | ~700–1,000 kg | Slender Pursuit Carnivore | Hell Creek Formation | Bakker et al. (1988) / Zanno & Napoli (2025) |
| Compsognathus longipes
• Elegant / Dainty jaw |
Compsognathidae | Germany & France | Late Jurassic (~150 Ma) | ~0.3 m (1 ft) | ~1 m (3.3 ft) | ~1–3.5 kg (2.2–7.7 lbs) | Carnivore / Insectivore | Solnhofen Limestone | Johann A. Wagner (1859) |
| Proceratosaurus bradleyi
• Before Ceratosaurus |
Proceratosauridae | Gloucestershire, England | Middle Jurassic (~166 Ma) | ~1 m (3.3 ft) | ~3 m (10 ft) | ~40 kg (88 lbs) | Carnivore | Great Oolite Group | Arthur Smith Woodward (1910) |
| Yutyrannus huali
• Feathered tyrant with beautiful crest |
Proceratosauridae | Liaoning, China | Early Cretaceous (~125 Ma) | ~3 m (10 ft) | ~9 m (30 ft) | ~1,400 kg (1.5 tons) | Carnivore | Yixian Formation | Xu Xing et al. (2012) |
| Archaeornithomimus asiaticus
• Ancient bird mimic from Asia |
Ornithomimidae | Inner Mongolia, China | Late Cretaceous (~96–70 Ma) | ~1.1 m (3.6 ft) | ~3.3 m (11 ft) | ~50–90 kg (110–200 lbs) | Omnivore / Herbivore | Iren Dabasu Formation | Dale Russell (1972) |
| Dromiceiomimus samueli
• Emu mimic of Samuel |
Ornithomimidae | Alberta, Canada | Late Cretaceous (~73 Ma) | ~1.2 m (4 ft) | ~3.5 m (11.5 ft) | ~100–150 kg (220–330 lbs) | Omnivore / Herbivore | Dinosaur Park Formation | Dale Russell (1972) |
| Gallimimus bullatus
• Chicken mimic with a capsule |
Ornithomimidae | Mongolia | Late Cretaceous (~70 Ma) | ~2 m (6.6 ft) | ~6 m (20 ft) | ~440 kg (970 lbs) | Herbivore / Omnivore | Nemegt Formation | Rinchen Barsbold et al. (1972) |
| Ornithomimus velox
• Swift bird mimic |
Ornithomimidae | Colorado & Montana, USA | Late Cretaceous (~68–66 Ma) | ~1.5 m (5 ft) | ~3.8 m (12.5 ft) | ~170 kg (370 lbs) | Herbivore / Omnivore | Denver Formation | Othniel Charles Marsh (1890) |
| Struthiomimus altus
• Ostrich mimic (Tall) |
Ornithomimidae | Alberta, Canada; Wyoming, USA | Late Cretaceous (~76–74 Ma) | ~1.4 m (4.6 ft) | ~4.3 m (14 ft) | ~150 kg (330 lbs) | Herbivore / Omnivore | Dinosaur Park; Lance Formation | Lawrence Lambe (1902) |
| Deinocheirus mirificus
• Terrible hand / Unusual horrible hand |
Deinocheiridae | Mongolia | Late Cretaceous (~70 Ma) | ~6 m (19.7 ft) | ~16.5 m (52 ft) | ~6,400 kg (7 tons) | Omnivore (Plants & Fish) | Nemegt Formation | Halszka Osmólska et al. (1970) |
| Chirostenotes pergracilis
• Narrow hand / Very graceful hand |
Oviraptoridae | Alberta, Canada | Late Cretaceous (~76.5 Ma) | ~1 m (3.3 ft) | ~2.5 m (8 ft) | ~70–100 kg (150–220 lbs) | Omnivore | Dinosaur Park Formation | Lawrence Lambe (1924) |
| Oviraptor philoceratops
• Egg thief with a liking for ceratopsians |
Oviraptoridae | Gobi Desert, Mongolia | Late Cretaceous (~75 Ma) | ~0.8 m (2.6 ft) | ~1.6 m (5.2 ft) | ~35–40 kg (77–88 lbs) | Omnivore | Djadochta Formation | Henry Fairfield Osborn (1924) |
| Troodon formosus
• Wounding tooth (Beautiful) |
Troodontidae | Montana, USA | Late Cretaceous (~77–75 Ma) | ~1 m (3.3 ft) | ~2.5 m (8 ft) | ~50 kg (110 lbs) | Omnivore / Carnivore | Two Medicine Formation | Joseph Leidy (1856) / Varricchio et al. (2025) |
| Therizinosaurus cheloniformis
• Scythe lizard shaped like a turtle |
Therizinosauridae | Gobi Desert, Mongolia | Late Cretaceous (~70 Ma) | ~4–5 m (13–16 ft) | ~9–10 m (30–33 ft) | ~5,000 kg (5.5 tons) | Herbivore | Nemegt Formation | Evgeny Maleev (1954) |
Suborder: Theropoda | Infraorder: Deinonychosauria
| Name Meaning | Clade / Family | Location | Temporal Range | Height | Length | Mass | Diet | Formation | Author / Discoverer |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Atrociraptor marshalli
• Savage robber of Marshall |
Dromaeosauridae | Alberta, Canada | Late Cretaceous (~68.5 Ma) | ~0.8 m (2.6 ft) | ~2 m (6.6 ft) | ~15 kg (33 lbs) | Carnivore | Horseshoe Canyon Formation | Philip J. Currie & Varricchio (2004) |
| Deinonychus antirrhopus
• Terrible claw / Counterbalancing |
Dromaeosauridae | Montana, Wyoming, & Oklahoma, USA | Early Cretaceous (~115–108 Ma) | ~1 m (3.3 ft) | ~3.4 m (11 ft) | ~73–100 kg (160–220 lbs) | Carnivore | Cloverly Formation / Antlers Formation | John Ostrom (1969) |
| Hesperonychus elizabethae
• Western claw of Elizabeth |
Dromaeosauridae | Alberta, Canada | Late Cretaceous (~76.5 Ma) | ~0.2 m (0.7 ft) | ~1 m (3.3 ft) | ~1.9 kg (4.2 lbs) | Carnivore / Insectivore | Dinosaur Park Formation | Nicholas Longrich & Currie (2009) |
| Pyroraptor olympius
• Fire robber of Mount Olympus |
Dromaeosauridae | Provence, France | Late Cretaceous (~70.6 Ma) | ~0.6 m (2 ft) | ~1.6 m (5.2 ft) | ~30 kg (66 lbs) | Carnivore | Argiles Rutilantes Formation | Allain & Taquet (2000) |
| Saurornitholestes sullivani
• Lizard-bird thief of Sullivan |
Dromaeosauridae | New Mexico, USA | Late Cretaceous (~73 Ma) | ~0.8 m (2.6 ft) | ~1.8 m (6 ft) | ~10 kg (22 lbs) | Carnivore (Keen sense of smell) | Kirtland Formation | Steven E. Jasinski (2015) |
| Utahraptor ostrommaysi
• Utah robber of Ostrom & Mays |
Dromaeosauridae | Utah, USA | Early Cretaceous (~135–130 Ma) | ~1.8–2 m (6–6.6 ft) | ~5.5–6 m (18–20 ft) | ~300–500 kg (Up to 1,100 lbs) | Apex Carnivore | Cedar Mountain Formation | Kirkland, Gaston, & Burge (1993) |
| Velociraptor osmolskae
• Swift robber of Osmólska |
Dromaeosauridae | Inner Mongolia, China | Late Cretaceous (~75–71 Ma) | ~0.5 m (1.6 ft) | ~2 m (6.6 ft) | ~15 kg (33 lbs) | Carnivore | Bayan Mandahu Formation | Pascal Godefroit et al. (2008) |
| Archaeopteryx albersdoerferi
• Ancient wing of Albersdoerfer |
Archaeopterygidae | Bavaria, Germany | Late Jurassic (~149.6 Ma) | ~0.3 m (1 ft) | ~0.5 m (1.6 ft) | ~0.5–1 kg | Carnivore / Insectivore | Mörnsheim Formation | Kundrát et al. (2018) |
| Alexornis antecedens
• Alex's ancestral bird |
Alexornithidae (Enantiornithes) | Baja California, Mexico | Late Cretaceous (~73 Ma) | ~0.1 m (0.3 ft) | ~0.15 m (0.5 ft) | ~35 g (1.2 oz) | Insectivore | La Bocana Roja Formation | Pierce Brodkorb (1976) |
Suborder: Sauropodomorpha | Infraorder: Prosauropoda
| Name Meaning | Clade / Family | Location | Temporal Range | Height | Length | Mass | Diet | Formation | Author / Discoverer |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Herrerasaurus ischigualastensis
• Herrera's lizard from Ischigualasto |
Herrerasauridae | San Juan, Argentina | Late Triassic (~231–228 Ma) | ~1.5 m (5 ft) | ~6 m (20 ft) | ~350 kg (770 lbs) | Carnivore | Ischigualasto Formation | Victorino Herrera / Osvaldo Reig (1963) |
| Anchisaurus polyzelus
• Near lizard (much sought after) |
Anchisauridae | Connecticut & Massachusetts, USA | Early Jurassic (~195 Ma) | ~0.6 m (2 ft) | ~2 m (6.6 ft) | ~27 kg (60 lbs) | Herbivore / Omnivore | Portland Formation | Edward Hitchcock (1865) / Marsh (1885) |
| Efraasia minor
• Eberhard Fraas's minor lizard |
Anchisauridae | Baden-Württemberg, Germany | Late Triassic (~210 Ma) | ~0.6 m (2 ft) | ~2–3 m (6.6–10 ft) | ~20–50 kg (44–110 lbs) | Herbivore / Omnivore | Löwenstein Formation | Friedrich von Huene (1908) |
| Smurfette smurfiness
• A fictional blue created by Gargamel |
Anchisauridae | Smurf Village / Belgium | 1958 CE – Present | ~3 apples high | N/A | Negligible | Smurfberries | Peyo Studios | Pierre Culliford ("Peyo") (1958) |
| Thecodontosaurus antiquus
• Ancient socket-toothed lizard |
Anchisauridae | Bristol, England | Late Triassic (~205 Ma) | ~0.3 m (1 ft) | ~1.2–2 m (4–6.6 ft) | ~11 kg (24 lbs) | Herbivore | Magnesian Conglomerate | Henry Riley & Samuel Stutchbury (1836) |
| Massospondylus kaalae
• Elongated vertebra of Kaala |
Plateosauridae | Eastern Cape, South Africa | Early Jurassic (~200–183 Ma) | ~1.5 m (5 ft) | ~4–6 m (13–20 ft) | ~400–500 kg | Herbivore | Upper Elliot Formation | Paul M. Barrett (2009) |
| Plateosaurus gracilis
• Slender broad lizard |
Plateosauridae | Stuttgart, Germany | Late Triassic (~210 Ma) | ~1.5 m (5 ft) | ~4.5–5 m (15–16 ft) | ~600 kg (1,300 lbs) | Herbivore | Löwenstein Formation | Friedrich von Huene (1905) |
| Riojasaurus incertus
• Uncertain La Rioja lizard |
Melanorosauridae | La Rioja Province, Argentina | Late Triassic (~221–210 Ma) | ~2.5 m (8 ft) | ~6.6–10 m (22–33 ft) | ~800–1,500 kg | Herbivore | Los Colorados Formation | José Bonaparte (1969) |
Suborder: Sauropodomorpha | Infraorder: Sauropoda
| Name Meaning | Clade / Family | Location | Temporal Range | Height | Length | Mass | Diet | Formation | Author / Discoverer |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Barapasaurus tagorei
• Big-legged lizard of Tagore |
Cetiosauridae | Telangana, India | Early Jurassic (~182 Ma) | ~5.5 m (18 ft) | ~14 m (46 ft) | ~7,000 kg (7.7 tons) | Herbivore | Kota Formation | Jain, Kutty, Roy-Chowdhury, & Chatterjee (1975) |
| Brachiosaurus altithorax
• Arm lizard with a deep chest |
Brachiosauridae | Colorado & Utah, USA; Telangana, India | Late Jurassic (~154–150 Ma) | ~12–15.5 m (40–50 ft) | ~24 m (79 ft) | ~35,000–56,000 kg | Herbivore | Morrison; Kota Formation | Elmer S. Riggs (1903) |
| Sauroposeidon proteles
• Lizard earthquake god, perfect before the end |
Brachiosauridae | Oklahoma & Texas, USA | Early Cretaceous (~112 Ma) | ~16–18 m (52–60 ft) | ~28–34 m (92–111 ft) | ~40,000–60,000 kg | Herbivore | Antlers Formation | Mathew Wedel, Cifelli, & Sanders (2000) |
| Camarasaurus supremus
• Chambered lizard (Supreme) |
Camarasauridae | Colorado, USA | Late Jurassic (~155–145 Ma) | ~7 m (23 ft) | ~15–23 m (50–75 ft) | ~20,000–47,000 kg | Herbivore | Morrison Formation | Edward Drinker Cope (1877) |
| Euhelopus zdanskyi
• True marsh foot of Zdansky |
Camarasauridae | Shandong, China | Early Cretaceous (~129–113 Ma) | ~4.5 m (15 ft) | ~11–15 m (36–49 ft) | ~3,500–4,000 kg | Herbivore | Mengyin Formation | Carl Wiman (1929) |
| Opisthocoelicaudia skarzynskii
• Posterior cavity tail of Skarżyńska |
Camarasauridae | Gobi Desert, Mongolia | Late Cretaceous (~70 Ma) | ~4 m (13 ft) | ~11.5–13 m (38–43 ft) | ~8,500–10,500 kg | Herbivore | Nemegt Formation | Maria Magdalena Borsuk-Białynicka (1977) |
| Apatosaurus ajax
• Deceptive lizard (Ajax) |
Diplodocidae | Colorado & Utah, USA | Late Jurassic (~152–151 Ma) | ~6.7 m (22 ft) | ~21–27 m (69–88 ft) | ~20,000–32,000 kg | Herbivore | Morrison Formation | Othniel Charles Marsh (1877) |
| Diplodocus hallorum
• Double-beam of the Hall family |
Diplodocidae | New Mexico, USA | Late Jurassic (~154–152 Ma) | ~5 m (16 ft) | ~29–33 m (95–108 ft) | ~13,000–15,000 kg | Herbivore | Morrison Formation | David Gillette (1991) |
| Mamenchisaurus sinocanadorum
• Mamenchi lizard of Sino-Canadian cooperation |
Diplodocidae | Xinjiang, China | Late Jurassic (~160–158 Ma) | ~16 m (52.4 ft) | ~26–35 m (85–115 ft) | ~25,000–60,000 kg | Herbivore | Shishugou Formation | Russell & Zheng (1993) / Moore et al. (2023) |
| Supersaurus vivianae
• Super lizard of Vivian |
Diplodocidae | Colorado & Wyoming, USA | Late Jurassic (~153 Ma) | ~21.5 m (70.5 ft) | ~39–50 m (128–160 ft) | ~35,000–40,000 kg | Herbivore | Morrison Formation | James A. Jensen (1985) |
| Dreadnoughtus schrani
• Fears nothing (of Adam Schran) |
Titanosauridae | Santa Cruz, Argentina | Late Cretaceous (~77 Ma) | ~18.7 m (61.4 ft) | ~26 m (85 ft) | ~49,000–59,000 kg | Herbivore | Cerro Fortaleza Formation | Kenneth Lacovara (2014) |
| Patagotitan mayorum
• Patagonian titan of the Mayo family |
Titanosauridae | Chubut, Argentina | Late Cretaceous (~101 Ma) | ~12 m (40 ft) | ~37 m (121 ft) | ~55,000–70,000 kg | Herbivore | Cerro Barcino Formation | Carballido et al. (2017) |
| Saltasaurus loricatus
• Lizard from Salta (Armored) |
Titanosauridae | Salta Province, Argentina | Late Cretaceous (~70–66 Ma) | ~2.5 m (8 ft) | ~8.5 m (28 ft) | ~2,500 kg (2.8 tons) | Herbivore | Lecho Formation | José Bonaparte & Powell (1980) |
Ornithischia
Suborder: Cerapoda | Infraorder: Ornithopoda
| Name Meaning | Clade / Family | Location | Temporal Range | Height | Length | Mass | Diet | Formation | Author / Discoverer |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lesothosaurus diagnosticus
• Lesotho lizard (diagnostic) |
Fabrosauridae | Lesotho & South Africa | Early Jurassic (~200–190 Ma) | ~0.4 m (1.3 ft) | ~2 m (6.6 ft) | ~6–8 kg (13–18 lbs) | Herbivore / Omnivore | Upper Elliot Formation | Peter Galton (1978) |
| Scutellosaurus lawleri
• Little-shielded lizard of Lawler |
Fabrosauridae | Arizona, USA | Early Jurassic (~196 Ma) | ~0.3 m (1 ft) | ~1.2–1.5 m (4–5 ft) | ~3–10 kg (6.6–22 lbs) | Herbivore | Kayenta Formation | Edwin Harris Colbert (1981) |
| Echinodon becklesii
• Prickly tooth of Beckles |
Heterodontosauridae | Dorset, England | Early Cretaceous (~140 Ma) | ~0.2 m (0.7 ft) | ~0.6 m (2 ft) | ~0.5–1 kg (1–2 lbs) | Omnivore | Purbeck Group | Sir Richard Owen (1861) |
| Heterodontosaurus tucki
• Different-toothed lizard of Tuck |
Heterodontosauridae | Cape Province, South Africa | Early Jurassic (~200–190 Ma) | ~0.5 m (1.6 ft) | ~1.2–1.75 m (4–5.7 ft) | ~2–10 kg (4.4–22 lbs) | Omnivore / Herbivore | Upper Elliot Formation | Alan Charig & Alfred Crompton (1962) |
| Dryosaurus elderae
• Oak lizard of Ann Elder |
Hysilophodontidae | Utah & Colorado, USA | Late Jurassic (~155–145 Ma) | ~1 m (3.3 ft) | ~2.5–4.3 m (8–14 ft) | ~70–100 kg | Herbivore | Morrison Formation | Kenneth Carpenter & Peter Galton (2018) |
| Hypsilophodon foxii
• High-crested tooth of Fox |
Hypsilophodontidae | Isle of Wight, England | Early Cretaceous (~130–125 Ma) | ~0.6 m (2 ft) | ~1.8 m (6 ft) | ~20 kg (44 lbs) | Herbivore | Wessex Formation | Thomas Henry Huxley (1869) |
| Parksosaurus warreni
• Parks' lizard of Warren |
Hypsilophodontidae | Alberta, Canada | Late Cretaceous (~70 Ma) | ~1 m (3.3 ft) | ~2.5 m (8 ft) | ~45–50 kg (100–110 lbs) | Herbivore | Horseshoe Canyon Formation | William Parks (1926) / Loris Russell (1937) |
| Tenontosaurus dossi
• Sinew lizard of Doss |
Hypsilophodontidae | Texas, USA | Early Cretaceous (~113 Ma) | ~2 m (6.6 ft) | ~6–7 m (20–23 ft) | ~600–1,000 kg | Herbivore | Twin Mountains Formation | Winkler, Murry, & Tomida (1997) |
| Thescelosaurus garbanii
• Wonderful lizard of Garbani |
Hypsilophodontidae | Montana, USA | Late Cretaceous (~67–66 Ma) | ~1.2 m (4 ft) | ~4–4.5 m (13–15 ft) | ~200–300 kg | Herbivore / Omnivore | Hell Creek Formation | William J. Morris (1976) |
Suborder: Cerapoda | Infraorder: Ornithopoda
| Name Meaning | Clade / Family | Location | Temporal Range | Height | Length | Mass | Diet | Formation | Author / Discoverer |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Camptosaurus dispar
• Flexible / Bent lizard (Different) |
Iguanodontidae | Wyoming & Utah, USA | Late Jurassic (~156–146 Ma) | ~2 m (6.6 ft) | ~6 m (20 ft) | ~800–1,000 kg | Herbivore | Morrison Formation | Othniel Charles Marsh (1879) |
| Iguanodon bernissartensis
• Iguana tooth from Bernissart |
Iguanodontidae | Belgium, Germany, & UK | Early Cretaceous (~126–122 Ma) | ~4 m (13 ft) | ~10–13 m (33–43 ft) | ~4,000–5,000 kg | Herbivore | Sainte-Barbe Clays Formation | Louis Dollo (1882) |
| Muttaburrasaurus langdoni
• Muttaburra lizard of Langdon |
Iguanodontidae | Queensland, Australia | Early Cretaceous (~105–103 Ma) | ~2.5 m (8 ft) | ~7–8 m (23–26 ft) | ~2,800 kg (3 tons) | Herbivore | Mackunda Formation | Bartholomew & Molnar (1981) |
| Ouranosaurus nigeriensis
• Brave / Courageous lizard from Niger |
Iguanodontidae | Agadez, Niger | Early Cretaceous (~112 Ma) | ~3 m (10 ft) | ~7–8.3 m (23–27 ft) | ~2,200 kg (2.4 tons) | Herbivore | Elrhaz Formation | Philippe Taquet (1976) |
| Corythosaurus casuarius
• Helmet lizard (Cassowary-like) |
Hadrosauridae (Lambeosaurinae) | Alberta, Canada; Wyoming, USA | Late Cretaceous (~77–75 Ma) | ~3–4 m (10–13 ft) | ~8.1–9 m (26–30 ft) | ~3,000–4,000 kg | Herbivore | Dinosaur Park; Lance Formation | Barnum Brown (1914) |
| Edmontosaurus regalis
• Edmonton lizard (Regal / King) |
Hadrosauridae (Hadrosaurinae) | Alberta, Canada; Wyoming, USA | Late Cretaceous (~73 Ma) | ~3.5 m (11.5 ft) | ~12–13 m (40–43 ft) | ~4,000–7,000 kg | Herbivore | Horseshoe Canyon; Lance Formation | Lawrence Lambe (1917) |
| Lambeosaurus magnicristatus
• Lambe's lizard with a large crest |
Hadrosauridae (Lambeosaurinae) | Alberta, Canada | Late Cretaceous (~75 Ma) | ~3.5 m (11.5 ft) | ~9.5 m (31 ft) | ~3,300 kg (3.6 tons) | Herbivore | Dinosaur Park Formation | Charles M. Sternberg (1935) |
| Maiasaura peeblesorum
• Good mother lizard of the Peebles family |
Hadrosauridae (Hadrosaurinae) | Montana, USA | Late Cretaceous (~76.7 Ma) | ~2.5 m (8 ft) | ~9 m (30 ft) | ~2,500–3,000 kg | Herbivore | Two Medicine Formation | Jack Horner & Robert Makela (1979) |
| Parasaurolophus walkeri
• Near crested lizard of Walker |
Hadrosauridae (Lambeosaurinae) | Alberta, Canada; Utah, USA | Late Cretaceous (~76.5–74.5 Ma) | ~4.7 m (14.5 ft) | ~9.5–10 m (31–33 ft) | ~2,500–3,500 kg | Herbivore | Dinosaur Park Formation | William Parks (1922) |
| Saurolophus osborni
• Crested lizard of Osborn |
Hadrosauridae (Hadrosaurinae) | Alberta, Canada | Late Cretaceous (~70 Ma) | ~3.2 m (10.5 ft) | ~8.5–9.8 m (28–32 ft) | ~3,000 kg (3.3 tons) | Herbivore | Horseshoe Canyon Formation | Barnum Brown (1912) |
| Shantungosaurus giganteus
• Shandong lizard (Gigantic) |
Hadrosauridae (Hadrosaurinae) | Shandong, China | Late Cretaceous (~73 Ma) | ~5–6 m (16–19.7 ft) | ~15–16.6 m (49–54 ft) | ~13,000–16,000 kg | Herbivore | Wangshi Group | Hu Chengzhi (1973) |
| Tsintaosaurus spinorhinus
• Qingdao lizard with a spine nose |
Hadrosauridae (Lambeosaurinae) | Shandong, China | Late Cretaceous (~73 Ma) | ~3.5 m (11.5 ft) | ~8.3–10 m (27–33 ft) | ~3,000 kg (3.3 tons) | Herbivore | Jiangjunding Formation | C.C. Young (1958) |
Suborder: Cerapoda | Infraorder: Ceratopia
| Name Meaning | Clade / Family | Location | Temporal Range | Height | Length | Mass | Diet | Formation | Author / Discoverer |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dracorex hogwartsia
• Dragon king of Hogwarts |
Pachycephalosauridae | South Dakota, USA | Late Cretaceous (~66 Ma) | ~0.8 m (2.6 ft) | ~3 m (10 ft) | ~50 kg (110 lbs) | Herbivore / Omnivore | Hell Creek Formation | Bob Bakker et al. (2006) |
| Homalocephale calathocercos
• Even/Flat head with a basket-like tail |
Pachycephalosauridae | Gobi Desert, Mongolia | Late Cretaceous (~80–75 Ma) | ~0.4 m (1.3 ft) | ~1.8 m (6 ft) | ~40 kg (88 lbs) | Herbivore / Omnivore | Nemegt Formation | Halszka Osmólska & Maryańska (1974) |
| Pachycephalosaurus wyomingensis
• Thick-headed lizard of Wyoming |
Pachycephalosauridae | Wyoming, Montana, & South Dakota, USA | Late Cretaceous (~68–66 Ma) | ~1.5–1.8 m (5–6 ft) | ~4.5 m (15 ft) | ~450 kg (1,000 lbs) | Herbivore / Omnivore | Hell Creek Formation | Charles W. Gilmore (1931) / Brown & Schlaikjer (1943) |
| Prenocephale prenes
• Sloping head / Slanted forehead |
Pachycephalosauridae | Gobi Desert, Mongolia | Late Cretaceous (~70 Ma) | ~0.8 m (2.6 ft) | ~2.4 m (8 ft) | ~130 kg (285 lbs) | Herbivore / Omnivore | Nemegt Formation | Teresa Maryańska & Osmólska (1974) |
| Stygimoloch spinifer
• Thorny devil from the River Styx |
Pachycephalosauridae | Montana & Wyoming, USA | Late Cretaceous (~66 Ma) | ~1.2 m (4 ft) | ~3 m (10 ft) | ~80 kg (176 lbs) | Herbivore / Omnivore | Hell Creek, Lance Formation | Peter Galton & Hans-Dieter Sues (1983) / Wroblewski (2025) |
| Psittacosaurus meileyingensis
• Parrot lizard from Meileyingzi |
Psittacosauridae | Liaoning Province, China | Early Cretaceous (~125–120 Ma) | ~0.6 m (2 ft) | ~1–2 m (3.3–6.6 ft) | ~20–30 kg (44–66 lbs) | Herbivore / Omnivore | Jiufotang Formation | Paul Sereno et al. (1988) |
Suborder: Cerapoda | Infraorder: Ceratopia
| Name Meaning | Clade / Family | Location | Temporal Range | Height | Length | Mass | Diet | Formation | Author / Discoverer |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bagaceratops rozhdestvenskyi
• Small horned face of Rozhdestvensky |
Protoceratopidae | Gobi Desert, Mongolia | Late Cretaceous (~75–72 Ma) | ~0.5 m (1.6 ft) | ~1 m (3.3 ft) | ~22 kg (50 lbs) | Herbivore | Barun Goyot Formation | Teresa Maryańska & Osmólska (1975) |
| Microceratus gobiensis
• Small horned one of the Gobi |
Protoceratopidae | Gobi Desert, Mongolia | Late Cretaceous (~90 Ma) | ~0.2 m (0.7 ft) | ~0.6 m (2 ft) | ~1.5–2 kg (3–4.4 lbs) | Herbivore | Bayan Shireh Formation | Bohlin (1953) / Mateus (2008) |
| Protoceratops hellenikorhinus
• First horned face with a Greek nose |
Protoceratopidae | Inner Mongolia, China | Late Cretaceous (~75 Ma) | ~0.8 m (2.6 ft) | ~2–2.5 m (6.6–8 ft) | ~180 kg (400 lbs) | Herbivore | Bayan Mandahu Formation | Olivier Lambert et al. (2001) |
| Leptoceratops gracilis
• Slender small-horned face |
Leptoceratopsidae | Alberta, Canada; Wyoming, USA | Late Cretaceous (~66 Ma) | ~0.8 m (2.6 ft) | ~2 m (6.6 ft) | ~100–150 kg | Herbivore | Scollard Formation / Hell Creek | Barnum Brown (1914) |
| Montanoceratops cerorhynchus
• Mountain horned face (Horned snout) |
Leptoceratopsidae | Montana, USA | Late Cretaceous (~70 Ma) | ~1 m (3.3 ft) | ~3 m (10 ft) | ~170 kg (375 lbs) | Herbivore | St. Mary River Formation | Barnum Brown (1942) / Sternberg (1951) |
| Centrosaurus apertus
• Pointed lizard (Open/Uncovered) |
Ceratopsidae (Centrosaurinae) | Alberta, Canada | Late Cretaceous (~76.5–75.5 Ma) | ~2 m (6.6 ft) | ~5.5–6 m (18–20 ft) | ~2,300 kg (2.5 tons) | Herbivore | Dinosaur Park Formation | Lawrence Lambe (1904) |
| Chasmosaurus belli
• Chasm lizard of William Bell |
Ceratopsidae (Chasmosaurinae) | Alberta, Canada | Late Cretaceous (~76.5–76 Ma) | ~2 m (6.6 ft) | ~4.8–5 m (16 ft) | ~1,500–2,000 kg | Herbivore | Dinosaur Park, Horseshoe Canyon Formation | Lawrence Lambe (1914) |
| Lokiceratops rangiformis
• Loki's horned face shaped like a caribou |
Ceratopsidae (Centrosaurinae) | Montana, USA | Late Cretaceous (~78 Ma) | ~2.3 m (7.5 ft) | ~6.7 m (22 ft) | ~5,000 kg (5.5 tons) | Herbivore | Judith River Formation | Loewen & Sertich (2024) |
| Nasutoceratops titusi
• Large-nosed horned face of Titus |
Ceratopsidae (Centrosaurinae) | Utah, USA | Late Cretaceous (~76 Ma) | ~2 m (6.6 ft) | ~4.5–5 m (15–16 ft) | ~1,500 kg (1.6 tons) | Herbivore | Kaiparowits Formation | Scott Sampson et al. (2013) |
| Pachyrhinosaurus lakustai
• Thick-nosed lizard of Al Lakusta |
Ceratopsidae (Centrosaurinae) | Alberta, Canada; Colorado, USA | Late Cretaceous (~73.5 Ma) | ~2.5 m (8 ft) | ~5 m (16 ft) | ~3,000 kg (3.3 tons) | Herbivore | Wapiti; Hell Creek Formation | Philip J. Currie et al. (2008) |
| Sinoceratops zhuchengensis
• Chinese horned face from Zhucheng |
Ceratopsidae (Centrosaurinae) | Shandong, China | Late Cretaceous (~73 Ma) | ~2.5 m (8 ft) | ~6 m (20 ft) | ~2,000–2,300 kg | Herbivore | Xingezhuang Formation | Xu Xing et al. (2010) |
| Styracosaurus ovatus
• Spiked lizard (Egg-shaped / Oval) |
Ceratopsidae (Centrosaurinae) | Montana, USA | Late Cretaceous (~75 Ma) | ~2 m (6.6 ft) | ~5–5.5 m (16–18 ft) | ~2,000 kg (2.2 tons) | Herbivore | Two Medicine Formation | Charles Gilmore (1930) / McDonald (2010) |
| Torosaurus latus
• Perforated / Perforating lizard (Wide) |
Ceratopsidae (Chasmosaurinae) | Western North America | Late Cretaceous (~68–66 Ma) | ~2.5–3 m (8–10 ft) | ~7.5–9 m (25–30 ft) | ~6,000 kg (6.6 tons) | Herbivore | Hell Creek Formation | Othniel Charles Marsh (1891) |
| Triceratops horridus
• Three-horned face (Horrid / Rough) |
Ceratopsidae (Chasmosaurinae) | Western North America | Late Cretaceous (~68–66 Ma) | ~2.8–3 m (9–10 ft) | ~8–9 m (26–30 ft) | ~6,000–12,000 kg | Herbivore | Hell Creek, Lance Formation | Othniel Charles Marsh (1889) |
Suborder: Thyreophora | Infraorder: Stegosauria
| Name Meaning | Clade / Family | Location | Temporal Range | Height | Length | Mass | Diet | Formation | Author / Discoverer |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chungkingosaurus jiangbeiensis
• Chongqing lizard from Jiangbei |
Stegosauridae | Chongqing, China | Late Jurassic (~160 Ma) | ~1.2 m (4 ft) | ~3–4 m (10–13 ft) | ~1,000 kg (1 ton) | Herbivore | Upper Shaximiao Formation | Dong Zhiming et al. (1983) |
| Gigantspinosaurus sichuanensis
• Giant spined lizard from Sichuan |
Stegosauridae | Sichuan, China | Late Jurassic (~160 Ma) | ~1.5 m (5 ft) | ~4.2 m (14 ft) | ~700 kg (1,500 lbs) | Herbivore | Upper Shaximiao Formation | Ouyang Hui (1992) |
| Kentrosaurus aethiopicus
• Spiked lizard from Africa |
Stegosauridae | Lindi Region, Tanzania | Late Jurassic (~154–150 Ma) | ~1.5 m (5 ft) | ~4.5 m (15 ft) | ~700–1,100 kg | Herbivore | Tendaguru Formation | Edwin Hennig (1915) |
| Stegosaurus stenops
• Roof lizard (Narrow-faced) |
Stegosauridae | Colorado, Utah, & Wyoming, USA | Late Jurassic (~155–150 Ma) | ~2.8–4 m (9–13 ft) | ~7–9 m (23–30 ft) | ~3,500–5,000 kg | Herbivore | Morrison Formation | Othniel Charles Marsh (1887) |
| Tuojiangosaurus multispinus
• Tuo River lizard with many spines |
Stegosauridae | Sichuan, China | Late Jurassic (~161–155 Ma) | ~2 m (6.6 ft) | ~7 m (23 ft) | ~2,800 kg (3 tons) | Herbivore | Upper Shaximiao Formation | Dong Zhiming et al. (1977) |
| Scelidosaurus harrisonii
• Limb lizard of James Harrison |
Scelidosauridae | Dorset, England | Early Jurassic (~191 Ma) | ~1 m (3.3 ft) | ~4 m (13 ft) | ~270 kg (600 lbs) | Herbivore | Charmouth Mudstone Formation | Sir Richard Owen (1859) |
Suborder: Thyreophora | Infraorder: Ankylosauria
| Name Meaning | Clade / Family | Location | Temporal Range | Height | Length | Mass | Diet | Formation | Author / Discoverer |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Edmontonia rugosidens
• Edmonton town (Rugged tooth) |
Nodosauridae | Alberta, Canada; Wyoming, USA | Late Cretaceous (~76–75 Ma) | ~1.6 m (5.2 ft) | ~6 m (20 ft) | ~3,000 kg (3.3 tons) | Herbivore | Dinosaur Park; Lance Formation | Charles M. Sternberg (1928) / Gilmore (1930) |
| Nodosaurus textilis
• Knobby lizard (Woven) |
Nodosauridae | Wyoming & Kansas, USA | Late Cretaceous (~99–93 Ma) | ~1.5 m (5 ft) | ~4–6 m (13–20 ft) | ~1,500–2,500 kg | Herbivore | Frontier Formation | Othniel Charles Marsh (1889) |
| Sauropelta edwardsorum
• Lizard shield of the Edwards family |
Nodosauridae | Montana & Wyoming, USA | Early Cretaceous (~108 Ma) | ~1.6 m (5.2 ft) | ~5.2 m (17 ft) | ~1,500 kg (1.6 tons) | Herbivore | Cloverly Formation | Barnum Brown (1914) / John Ostrom (1970) |
| Silvisaurus condrayi
• Forest lizard of Warren Condray |
Nodosauridae | Kansas, USA | Early Cretaceous (~100 Ma) | ~1 m (3.3 ft) | ~4 m (13 ft) | ~1,000 kg (1 ton) | Herbivore | Dakota Formation | Theodore H. Eaton Jr. (1960) |
| Ankylosaurus magniventris
• Fused lizard with a great belly |
Ankylosauridae | Western North America | Late Cretaceous (~68–66 Ma) | ~1.7–3.8 m (5.6–12.5 ft) | ~7.5–11 m (25–36 ft) | ~4,800–8,000 kg | Herbivore | Hell Creek, Lance Formation | Barnum Brown (1908) |
| Euoplocephalus tutus
• Well-armed head (Safely protected) |
Ankylosauridae | Alberta, Canada | Late Cretaceous (~76–75 Ma) | ~1.8 m (6 ft) | ~5.5–6 m (18–20 ft) | ~2,500 kg (2.7 tons) | Herbivore | Dinosaur Park Formation | Lawrence Lambe (1902) / (1910) |
| Minmi paravertebral
• From Minmi Crossing (with paravertebrae) |
Ankylosauridae | Queensland, Australia | Early Cretaceous (~120–112 Ma) | ~1 m (3.3 ft) | ~2–3 m (6.6–10 ft) | ~300 kg (660 lbs) | Herbivore | Bungalbin Member (Minmi Member) | Ralph E. Molnar (1980) |
| Saichania chulsanensis
• Beautiful one from Chulsan |
Ankylosauridae | Gobi Desert, Mongolia | Late Cretaceous (~75–70 Ma) | ~2 m (6.6 ft) | ~5.2–6.6 m (17–22 ft) | ~2,000–3,000 kg | Herbivore | Barun Goyot Formation | Teresa Maryańska (1977) |
| Scolosaurus thronus
• Thorn-lizard from a high throne |
Ankylosauridae | Alberta, Canada | Late Cretaceous (~76.5 Ma) | ~1.5 m (5 ft) | ~5–6 m (16–20 ft) | ~2,000 kg (2.2 tons) | Herbivore | Dinosaur Park Formation | Barnum Brown (1912) / Nopcsa (1928) |
Pterosauria
Suborder: Rhamphorhynchoidea (Long-tailed Basal Pterosaurs)
| Name Meaning | Clade / Family | Location | Temporal Range | Height | Length (Body / Wingspan) | Mass | Diet | Formation | Author / Discoverer |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dimorphodon macronyx
• Two-form tooth (Large claw) |
Dimorphodontidae | Dorset, England | Early Jurassic (~195–190 Ma) | ~0.4 m (1.3 ft) | ~0.6 m body /
~1.45 m wingspan |
~1–2 kg (2.2–4.4 lbs) | Piscivore / Small Vertebrates | Blue Lias Formation | Mary Anning (1828) / Richard Owen (1859) |
| Dorygnathus banthensis
• Spear jaw from Banz |
Dimorphodontidae | Bavaria, Germany | Early Jurassic (~180 Ma) | ~0.25 m (0.8 ft) | ~0.4 m body /
~1.5 m wingspan |
~1.5 kg (3.3 lbs) | Piscivore | Posidonia Shale | Johann Andreas Wagner (1860) |
| Eudimorphodon ranzii
• True two-form tooth of Ranzi |
Eudimorphodontidae | Lombardy, Italy | Late Triassic (~210 Ma) | ~0.2 m (0.7 ft) | ~0.4 m body /
~1 m wingspan |
~100–300 g | Piscivore / Insectivore | Zorzino Limestone | Rocco Zambelli (1973) |
| Anurognathus ammoni
• Tailless / Frog jaw of Ammon |
Rhamphorhynchidae | Bavaria, Germany | Late Jurassic (~150 Ma) | ~0.05 m (0.15 ft) | ~0.09 m body /
~0.5 m wingspan |
~40 g (1.4 oz) | Insectivore | Solnhofen Limestone | Ludwig Döderlein (1923) |
| Rhamphorhynchus etchesi
• Beak snout of Steve Etches |
Rhamphorhynchidae | Dorset, England | Late Jurassic (~150 Ma) | ~0.2 m (0.7 ft) | ~0.4 m body /
~1.7 m wingspan |
~1 kg (2.2 lbs) | Piscivore | Kimmeridge Clay | Martill & O'Sullivan (2015) |
| Scaphognathus crassirostris
• Tub/Boat jaw (Thick snout) |
Rhamphorhynchidae | Bavaria, Germany | Late Jurassic (~150 Ma) | ~0.3 m (1 ft) | ~0.5 m body /
~0.9 m wingspan |
~400 g (0.9 lbs) | Piscivore / Generalist | Solnhofen Limestone | August Goldfuss (1831) |
| Sordes pilosus
• Hairy filth / Hairy devil |
Rhamphorhynchidae | Karatau, Kazakhstan | Late Jurassic (~155 Ma) | ~0.15 m (0.5 ft) | ~0.3 m body /
~0.6 m wingspan |
~200 g (7 oz) | Insectivore | Aulie Formation | Aleksandr Grigorevich Sharov (1971) |
Suborder: Pterodactyloidea (Advanced Short-tailed Pterosaurs)
| Name Meaning | Clade / Family | Location | Temporal Range | Height | Length (Body / Wingspan) | Mass | Diet | Formation | Author / Discoverer |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Caiuajara dobruskii
• Caiuá ancient wizard of Dobruski |
Tapejaridae | Paraná, Brazil | Late Cretaceous (~85 Ma) | ~0.7 m (2.3 ft) | ~0.9 m body /
~2.35 m wingspan |
~3–5 kg (6.6–11 lbs) | Frugivore / Omnivore | Goio-Erê Formation | Paulo Manzig et al. (2014) |
| Cearadactylus atrox
• Ceará finger (Fierce / Cruel) |
Anhangueridae | Ceará, Brazil | Early Cretaceous (~112 Ma) | ~0.8 m (2.6 ft) | ~1.2 m body /
~4–5.5 m wingspan |
~15 kg (33 lbs) | Piscivore | Romualdo Formation | Leonardi & Borgomanero (1985) |
| Geosternbergia sternbergi
• George Sternberg's mountain wing |
Pteranodontidae | Kansas, USA | Late Cretaceous (~88–86 Ma) | ~1.5 m (5 ft) | ~2 m body /
~6–7.2 m wingspan |
~20–35 kg | Piscivore | Niobrara Chalk | George F. Sternberg (1952) / S. Christopher Bennett (1994) |
| Pteranodon longiceps
• Winged toothless one (Long head) |
Pteranodontidae | Kansas & Nebraska, USA | Late Cretaceous (~86–84 Ma) | ~1.8 m (6 ft) | ~2.2 m body /
~5.6–7 m wingspan |
~20–45 kg | Piscivore | Niobrara Chalk | Othniel Charles Marsh (1876) |
| Quetzalcoatlus lawsoni
• Quetzalcoatl god of Douglas Lawson |
Azhdarchidae | Texas & Montana, USA | Late Cretaceous (~68–66 Ma) | ~14.5 m (47.5 ft) | ~12.5 m body /
~4.5–25 m wingspan |
~40–50,000 kg | Carnivore / Generalist | Javelina; Hell Creek Formation | Douglas Lawson (1975) / Brian Andres et al. (2021) |
| Pterodaustro guinazui
• Southern wing of Guiñazú |
Pterodaustriidae | San Luis, Argentina | Early Cretaceous (~105 Ma) | ~0.4 m (1.3 ft) | ~0.6 m body /
~2.5 m wingspan |
~2–3 kg (4.4–6.6 lbs) | Filter Feeder (Plankton/Crustaceans) | Lagarcito Formation | José Bonaparte (1969) |
Prehistoric Marine Predators & Squamates
| Name Meaning | Clade / Family / Order | Location | Temporal Range | Height / Depth | Length | Mass | Diet | Formation | Author / Discoverer |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Otodus megalodon
• Giant tooth |
Otodontidae / Lamniformes | Global oceans | Miocene to Pliocene (~23–3.6 Ma) | ~2–3 m (Body depth) | ~15–20 m (50–65 ft) | ~50,000–60,000 kg | Marine Mammals (Whales) | Yorktown Formation / Bone Valley | Louis Agassiz (1843) |
| Dunkleosteus amblyodoratus
• Dunkle's bone (Blunt spear) |
Dunkleosteidae / Arthrodira | Ontario, Canada | Late Devonian (~372–360 Ma) | ~0.8 m (2.6 ft) | ~3 m (10 ft) | ~500–700 kg | Carnivore (Armored fish) | Kettle Point Formation | Robert Carr & James Hlavin (2010) |
| Ichthyosaurus conybeari
• Fish lizard of William Conybeare |
Ichthyosauridae / Ichthyosauria | England, UK | Early Jurassic (~200–190 Ma) | ~0.5 m (1.6 ft) | ~2–2.5 m (6.6–8 ft) | ~40–50 kg | Piscivore / Cephalopods | Blue Lias Formation | Lydekker (1888) |
| Eurhinosaurus huenei
• Well-nosed lizard of von Huene |
Leptonectidae / Ichthyosauria | Germany, France, & Switzerland | Early Jurassic (~180 Ma) | ~0.8 m (2.6 ft) | ~6 m (20 ft) | ~1,000 kg (1 ton) | Piscivore / Cephalopods | Posidonia Shale | Abel (1909) |
| Ophthalmosaurus icenicus
• Eye lizard of the Iceni tribe |
Ophthalmosauridae / Ichthyosauria | England, UK; France | Late Jurassic (~165–160 Ma) | ~1.2 m (4 ft) | ~6 m (20 ft) | ~3,000 kg (3.3 tons) | Cephalopods (Deep-sea squid) | Oxford Clay Formation | Harry Govier Seeley (1874) |
| Elasmosaurus platyurus
• Thin-plate lizard (Flat-tailed) |
Elasmosauridae / Plesiosauria | Kansas, USA | Late Cretaceous (~80.5 Ma) | ~1.5 m (5 ft) | ~10.3 m (34 ft) | ~2,000 kg (2.2 tons) | Piscivore / Cephalopods | Pierre Shale | Edward Drinker Cope (1868) |
| Plesiosaurus dolichodeirus
• Near to lizard (Long-necked) |
Plesiostauridae / Plesiosauria | Dorset, England | Early Jurassic (~199–191 Ma) | ~0.6 m (2 ft) | ~3.5 m (11.5 ft) | ~400 kg (880 lbs) | Piscivore | Blue Lias Formation | Mary Anning (1823) / Conybeare (1824) |
| Trinacromerum kirki
• Three-tipped femur of Kirk |
Polycotylidae / Plesiosauria | Kansas, USA | Late Cretaceous (~93 Ma) | ~0.5 m (1.6 ft) | ~3 m (10 ft) | ~200 kg (440 lbs) | High-speed Piscivore | Greenhorn Limestone | Charles M. Sternberg (1935) |
| Attenborosaurus conybeari
• David Attenborough's lizard |
Pliosauridae / Plesiosauria | Dorset, England | Early Jurassic (~190 Ma) | ~0.8 m (2.6 ft) | ~5 m (16.5 ft) | ~700 kg (1,500 lbs) | Piscivore | Blue Lias Formation | William J. Sollas (1881) / Bakker (1993) |
| Kronosaurus queenslandicus
• Lizard of Cronus from Queensland |
Pliosauridae / Plesiosauria | Queensland, Australia | Early Cretaceous (~120–110 Ma) | ~2.5 m (8 ft) | ~9–10.5 m (30–34 ft) | ~11,000 kg (12 tons) | Apex Carnivore | Toolebuc Formation | Heber Longman (1924) |
| Liopleurodon ferox
• Smooth-sided teeth (Ferocious) |
Pliosauridae / Plesiosauria | England & France | Late Jurassic (~166–155 Ma) | ~1.8 m (6 ft) | ~5–7 m (16–23 ft) | ~1,500–3,000 kg | Apex Carnivore | Oxford Clay Formation | Henri Émile Sauvage (1873) |
| Clidastes propython
• Locked vertebrae (Before the python) |
Mosasauridae / Squamata | Alabama & South Dakota, USA | Late Cretaceous (~82 Ma) | ~0.4 m (1.3 ft) | ~4 m (13 ft) | ~100–150 kg | Piscivore / Generalist | Mooreville Chalk | Edward Drinker Cope (1868) |
| Jormungandr walhallaensis
• Midgard Sea Serpent of Walhalla |
Mosasauridae / Squamata | North Dakota, USA | Late Cretaceous (~80 Ma) | ~0.6 m (2 ft) | ~7–7.3 m (24 ft) | ~1,200 kg | Generalist / Marine Life | Pierre Shale (Pembina Member) | Amelia Zietlow et al. (2023) |
| Mosasaurus beaugei
• Meuse River lizard of Beaugé |
Mosasauridae / Squamata | Oulad Abdoun Basin, Morocco | Late Cretaceous (~66 Ma) | ~4 m (13 ft) | ~10–18 m (33–60 ft) | ~5,000–8,000 kg | Apex Carnivore | Ouled Abdoun Basin | Camille Arambourg (1952) |
| Megalania priscus
• Ancient giant roamer |
Varanidae / Squamata | Queensland & NSW, Australia | Pleistocene (~2 Ma–40,000 YA) | ~1.2 m (4 ft) | ~5.5–7 m (18–23 ft) | ~600–1,900 kg | Terrestrial Megafauna Carnivore | Deep Creek / Various Alluvial deposits | Sir Richard Owen (1859) |
Synapsids, Non-Mammalian Therapsids, & Early Mammals
| Name Meaning | Clade / Family / Order | Location | Temporal Range | Height | Length | Mass | Diet | Formation | Author / Discoverer |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dimetrodon grandis
• Two measures of teeth (Grand) |
Sphenacodontidae | Texas & Oklahoma, USA | Early Permian (~280–270 Ma) | ~1.5 m (5 ft) (at sail tip) | ~3.5 m (11.5 ft) | ~250 kg (550 lbs) | Apex Carnivore | Arroyo Formation (Clear Fork Group) | Edward Drinker Cope (1878) |
| Lystrosaurus curvatus
• Shovel lizard (Curved) |
Lystrosauridae | South Africa, Antarctica, & India | Late Permian to Early Triassic (~252–251 Ma) | ~0.5 m (1.6 ft) | ~1 m (3.3 ft) | ~90 kg (200 lbs) | Herbivore (Roots/Tubers) | Balfour Formation (Katberg Basin) | Owen (1859) / Brink (1951) |
| Bulbasaurus phylloxyron
• Bulbous reptile (Leaf razor) |
Geikiidae | Western Cape, South Africa | Late Permian (~259–254 Ma) | ~0.25 m (0.8 ft) | ~0.6 m (2 ft) | ~5–10 kg (11–22 lbs) | Herbivore | Tropidostoma Assemblage Zone | Kammerer & Smith (2017) |
| Alphadon halleyi
• First tooth of Halley |
Alphadontidae | Montana, USA; Alberta, Canada | Late Cretaceous (~76–75 Ma) | ~0.1 m (0.3 ft) | ~0.3 m (12 in) | ~300 g (12 oz) | Omnivore (Insects/Fruit) | Judith River Formation | Ashok Sahni (1972) |
Verison 1
Suborder Theropoda (Infraorder Ceratosauria)
| Name | Meaning | Clade | Temporal Range | Height | Length | Mass | Diet | Location | Formation | Author / Description | Rick Robles's Comments |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Coelophysis bauri | "Hollow form" (named for its light, hollow bones) | Saurischia, Theropoda, Coelophysoidea, Podokesauridae | Late Triassic (~203–196 Million Years Ago) | ~1 meter (3.3 feet) at the hips | ~3 meters (9.8 feet) | ~15–20 kilograms (33–44 pounds) | Carnivore (Small vertebrates, early crocs) | New Mexico & Arizona, USA | Chinle Formation | Edward Drinker Cope (1889) | A foundational Triassic theropod. The massive Ghost Ranch bonebed proves they were highly social pack hunters. |
| Podokesaurus holyokensis | "Swift-footed lizard of Holyoke" | Saurischia, Theropoda, Coelophysoidea, Podokesauridae | Early Jurassic (~190–180 Million Years Ago) | ~30 centimeters (1 foot) | ~1–1.5 meters (3.3–5 feet) | ~4–40 kilograms (10–90 pounds) | Carnivore (Small lizards and insects) | Massachusetts, USA | Portland Formation | Mignon Talbot (1911) | Historically famous as the first non-avian dinosaur found and described by a female paleontologist. |
| Procompsognathus triassicus | "Before elegant jaw of the Triassic" | Saurischia, Theropoda, Coelophysoidea, Podokesauridae | Late Triassic (~222–210 Million Years Ago) | ~26 centimeters (10 inches) | ~1.2 meters (3.9 feet) | ~1 kilogram (2.2 pounds) | Carnivore (Insects, small reptiles) | Baden-Württemberg, Germany | Löwenstein Formation | Eberhard Fraas (1913) | Extremely primitive. It achieved pop-culture fame as the venomous, pack-scavenging "Compy" in the Jurassic Park novels. |
| Ceratosaurus nasicornis | "Nasal horned lizard" | Saurischia, Theropoda, Ceratosauria, Ceratosauridae | Late Jurassic (~155–145 Million Years Ago) | ~2 meters (6.6 feet) | ~6–7 meters (20–23 feet) | ~700–1,000 kilograms (1,540–2,200 pounds) | Carnivore (Medium herbivores, aquatic prey) | Colorado & Utah, USA | Morrison Formation | Othniel Charles Marsh (1884) | Bizarre and unique. The prominent nasal horn and the row of chain-mail osteoderms down its back set it apart from all rival Jurassic predators. |
| Dilophosaurus wetherilli | "Two-crested lizard" | Saurischia, Theropoda, Neotheropoda, Dilophosauridae | Early Jurassic (~193 Million Years Ago) | ~2 meters (6.6 feet) | ~6 meters (20 feet) | ~400 kilograms (880 pounds) | Carnivore (Large fish, early land herbivores) | Arizona, USA | Kayenta Formation | Samuel P. Welles (1954) | The true animal was a large, powerful apex predator. Pop culture completely shrunk its size and wrongly gave it venom and a neck frill. |
| Carnotaurus sastrei | "Meat-eating bull" | Saurischia, Theropoda, Ceratosauria, Abelisauridae | Late Cretaceous (~69–66 Million Years Ago) | ~2.5 meters (8.2 feet) | ~7.5–9 meters (24.6–30 feet) | ~1,300–1,500 kilograms (2,860–3,300 pounds) | Carnivore (Fast, agile light prey) | Chubut Province, Argentina | La Colonia Formation | José Bonaparte (1885/1990) | A highly specialized sprinter. It features prominent bull-like horns above its eyes and the most tiny, vestigial, useless arms of any known theropod. |
| Majungasaurus crenatissimus | "Mahajanga lizard" | Saurischia, Theropoda, Ceratosauria, Abelisauridae | Late Cretaceous (~70–66 Million Years Ago) | ~2 meters (6.6 feet) | ~6–7 meters (20–23 feet) | ~750–1,100 kilograms (1,650–2,420 pounds) | Carnivore (Sauropods, cannibalistic) | Mahajanga, Madagascar | Maevarano Formation | Depéret (1896) / Lavocat (1955) | The undisputed king of Late Cretaceous Madagascar. Fossil tooth-mark evidence definitively proves it regularly cannibalized its own kind. |
Suborder Theropoda (Infraorder Carnosauria & Derived Clades)
| Name | Meaning | Clade | Temporal Range | Height | Length | Mass | Diet | Location | Formation | Author / Description | Rick Robles's Comments |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Eustreptospondylus oxoniensis | "True well-curved vertebra of Oxford" | Saurischia, Theropoda, Megalosauridae | Middle Jurassic (~163 Million Years Ago) | ~1.5 meters (5 feet) | ~4.6 meters (15 feet) | ~500 kilograms (1,100 pounds) | Carnivore (Fish, marine reptiles, island carcasses) | Oxfordshire, England | Oxford Clay Formation | Sir Richard Owen (1841) / Walker (1964) | Found in marine sediments, this dinosaur lived on a string of ancient European islands. It likely patrolled coastlines like a modern monitor lizard. |
| Poekilopleuron bucklandii | "Varied ribs" | Saurischia, Theropoda, Megalosauridae | Middle Jurassic (~168–166 Million Years Ago) | ~2.5 meters (8.2 feet) | ~9 meters (30 feet) | ~1,000 kilograms (2,200 pounds) | Carnivore (Medium dinosaurs, coastal prey) | Normandy, France | Calcaire de Caen Formation | Eudes-Deslongchamps (1838) | A historical tragedy. The only complete skeleton of this powerful, deep-chested hunter was completely destroyed by bombing during World War II. |
| Torvosaurus gurneyi | "Savage lizard of James Gurney" | Saurischia, Theropoda, Megalosauridae | Late Jurassic (~150 Million Years Ago) | ~3.1 meters (10.2 feet) | ~10–11.7 meters (33–38 feet) | ~4,000–5,000 kilograms (4.4–5.5 tons) | Carnivore (Giant sauropods, stegosaurs) | Central-West Portugal | Lourinhã Formation | Hendrickx & Mateus (2014) | The absolute largest terrestrial predator ever discovered in Europe. Its massive teeth were blade-like hacksaws designed to shred armor. |
| Acrocanthosaurus atokensis | "High-spined lizard from Atoka County" | Saurischia, Theropoda, Carcharodontosauridae | Early Cretaceous (~113–110 Million Years Ago) | ~4 meters (13 feet) | ~11.5 meters (38 feet) | ~5,700–6,200 kilograms (6.3–6.8 tons) | Carnivore (Sauropods, large ornithopods) | Oklahoma & Texas, USA | Antlers Formation | Stovall & Langston (1950) | The tall neural spines along its spine anchored a powerful ridge of muscle. It actively targeted multi-ton sauropods across North America. |
| Giganotosaurus carolinii | "Giant southern lizard of Rubén Carolini" | Saurischia, Theropoda, Carcharodontosauridae | Late Cretaceous (~98–97 Million Years Ago) | ~4.2 meters (13.8 feet) | ~12.2–13 meters (40–43 feet) | ~7,000–8,500 kilograms (7.7–9.3 tons) | Carnivore (Titanosaurs) | Neuquén Province, Argentina | Candeleros Formation | Coria & Salgado (1995) | South America's ultimate hyper-carnivore. It was physically longer than T. rex and carried a massive skull full of scissor-like teeth. |
| Allosaurus europaeus | "Different European lizard" | Saurischia, Theropoda, Allosauridae | Late Jurassic (~154–143 Million Years Ago) | ~3.8 meters (12.9 feet) | ~12 meters (39.4 feet) | ~1,000 kilograms (2,200 pounds) | Carnivore (Stegosaurs, ornithopods) | Estremadura, Portugal; New Mexico, USA | Lourinhã; Morrison Formation | Antunes & Mateus (2006) | Proves the existence of a Jurassic land bridge. This close cousin of the famous American predator ruled the open Portuguese floodplains. |
| Yangchuanosaurus zigongensis | "Yongchuan lizard of Zigong" | Saurischia, Theropoda, Metriacanthosauridae | Middle Jurassic (~168–163 Million Years Ago) | ~3 meters (10 feet) | ~8 meters (26 feet) | ~1,500–2,000 kilograms (1.6–2.2 tons) | Carnivore (Sauropods, mamenchisaurs) | Sichuan, China | Xiashaximiao Formation | Gao (1993) | A fierce Asian relative of allosaurs. Its skull was heavily reinforced with ridges and horns to absorb the impact of biting down on prey. |
| Baryonyx walkeri | "Heavy claw of William Walker" | Saurischia, Theropoda, Spinosauridae | Early Cretaceous (~125–120 Million Years Ago) | ~2.5 meters (8.2 feet) | ~9.5 meters (31 feet) | ~2,000 kilograms (2.2 tons) | Piscivore/Carnivore (Large fish, iguanodonts) | Surrey, England | Weald Clay Formation | Charig & Milner (1986) | Boasted a 12-inch hooked thumb claw and a gharial-like snout. Fossilized fish scales found inside its ribs confirm a semi-aquatic lifestyle. |
| Spinosaurus aegyptiacus | "Egyptian spine lizard" | Saurischia, Theropoda, Spinosauridae | Late Cretaceous (~99–93 Million Years Ago) | ~4.5 meters (14.8 feet) | ~14 meters (46 feet) | ~6,500–7,500 kilograms (7.2–8.3 tons) | Piscivore/Carnivore (Giant fish, sawfish) | Bahariya Oasis, Egypt | Bahariya Formation | Ernst Stromer (1915) | The longest meat-eating dinosaur known. Recent discoveries reveal a paddle-like tail, showing it was heavily adapted for swimming. |
| Suchomimus tenerensis | "Crocodile mimic of the Ténéré desert" | Saurischia, Theropoda, Spinosauridae | Early Cretaceous (~121–112 Million Years Ago) | ~3.5 meters (11.5 feet) | ~9.5–11 meters (31–36 feet) | ~3,000–3,800 kilograms (3.3–4.2 tons) | Piscivore/Carnivore (Fish, small dinosaurs) | Agadez Region, Niger | Elrhaz Formation | Paul Sereno et al. (1998) | A beautifully preserved spinosaurid. Unlike its larger cousin Spinosaurus, it had long, powerful hind legs suited for hunting on riverbanks. |
| Albertosaurus sarcophagus | "Flesh-eating Alberta lizard" | Saurischia, Theropoda, Tyrannosauridae | Late Cretaceous (~71–68 Million Years Ago) | ~3 meters (10 feet) | ~9 meters (30 feet) | ~2,000–2,500 kilograms (2.2–2.7 tons) | Carnivore (Hadrosaurs, ceratopsians) | Alberta, Canada | Horseshoe Canyon Formation | Henry Fairfield Osborn (1905) | A sleek, long-legged runner. A mass bonebed discovered in Canada suggests these tyrants hunted in coordinated, terrifying family packs. |
| Gorgosaurus libratus | "Fierce balanced lizard" | Saurischia, Theropoda, Tyrannosauridae | Late Cretaceous (~76–75 Million Years Ago) | ~2.8 meters (9.2 feet) | ~8–9 meters (26–30 feet) | ~2,400 kilograms (2.6 tons) | Carnivore (Centrosaurines, hadrosaurs) | Alberta, Canada & Montana, USA | Dinosaur Park Formation | Lawrence Lambe (1914) | Shared its ecosystem with Daspletosaurus. It likely filled the "sprinter" niche, using its speed to target faster, agile duck-billed dinosaurs. |
| Qianzhousaurus sinensis | "Qianzhou lizard of China" | Saurischia, Theropoda, Tyrannosauridae | Late Cretaceous (~67–66 Million Years Ago) | ~2.2 meters (7.2 feet) | ~9 meters (30 feet) | ~800–1,000 kilograms (1,760–2,200 pounds) | Carnivore (Feathered dinosaurs, oviraptorosaurs) | Jiangxi Province, China | Nanxiong Formation | Lü Junchang et al. (2014) | Famously nicknamed "Pinocchio rex" due to its remarkably elongated snout. It was a highly specialized, fast-striking predator of ancient Asia. |
| Tarbosaurus bataar | "Heroic alarming lizard" | Saurischia, Theropoda, Tyrannosauridae | Late Cretaceous (~70–66 Million Years Ago) | ~3.5 meters (11.5 feet) | ~10–12 meters (33–39 feet) | ~4,500–5,000 kilograms (5.0–5.5 tons) | Carnivore (Sauropods, hadrosaurs) | Nemegt Desert, Mongolia | Nemegt Formation | Evgeny Maleev (1955) | The apex tyrant of Cretaceous Asia. It was nearly identical to T. rex, but had a rigid, shock-absorbing jaw built for tackling giant sauropods. |
| Tyrannosaurus rex | "Tyrant lizard king" | Saurischia, Theropoda, Tyrannosauridae | Late Cretaceous (~68–66 Million Years Ago) | ~3.8–6 meters (12.5–19.7 feet) | ~12.3–15 meters (40.3–49.2 feet) | ~8,000–9,500 kilograms (8.8–10.4 tons) | Carnivore (Triceratops, Edmontosaurus) | Western North America (USA & Canada) | Hell Creek Formation | Henry Fairfield Osborn (1905) | The undisputed heavy king of dinosaurs. It possessed binoculars-like front-facing vision and a bone-crushing bite force of over 12,000 pounds. |
Suborder Theropoda (Infraorder Coelurosauria)
| Name | Meaning | Clade | Temporal Range | Height | Length | Mass | Diet | Location | Formation | Author / Description | Rick Robles's Comments |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Coelurus fragilis | "Hollow tail, fragile" | Saurischia, Theropoda, Coelurosauria, Coeluridae | Late Jurassic (~153–150 Million Years Ago) | ~70 centimeters (2.3 feet) | ~2.4 meters (7.9 feet) | ~13–20 kilograms (29–44 pounds) | Carnivore (Insects, small mammals, lizards) | Wyoming & Utah, USA | Morrison Formation | Othniel Charles Marsh (1879) | A classic, lightweight Jurassic hunter. It was highly agile and lived in the shadow of giant carnivores like Allosaurus. |
| Ornitholestes hermanni | "Bird robber of Adam Hermann" | Saurischia, Theropoda, Coelurosauria, Coeluridae | Late Jurassic (~154 Million Years Ago) | ~80 centimeters (2.6 feet) | ~2 meters (6.6 feet) | ~12–15 kilograms (26–33 pounds) | Carnivore (Small vertebrates, early birds) | Wyoming, USA | Morrison Formation | Henry Fairfield Osborn (1903) | Famously depicted with a tiny horn on its nose in older books, though modern science shows this was just a crushed nasal bone. |
| Moros intrepidus | "Intrepid doom" | Saurischia, Theropoda, Tyrannosauroidea | Late Cretaceous (~96 Million Years Ago) | ~1.2 meters (4 feet) | ~2.5 meters (8.2 feet) | ~78 kilograms (172 pounds) | Carnivore (Small game, lizards) | Utah, USA | Cedar Mountain Formation | Lindsay Zanno et al. (2019) | The missing link for North American tyrants. This tiny, deer-sized runner fills a huge 70-million-year gap before T. rex evolved. |
| Nanotyrannus lethaeus | "Dwarfed tyrant, causing death" | Saurischia, Theropoda, Tyrannosauroidea | Late Cretaceous (~68–66 Million Years Ago) | ~2 meters (6.6 feet) | ~5 meters (16.4 feet) | ~400–600 kilograms (880–1,320 pounds) | Carnivore (Small dinosaurs) | Montana, USA | Hell Creek Formation | Robert T. Bakker et al. (1988) | One of paleontology's biggest debates. Most experts view it as a teenage T. rex, but a vocal minority argues it is a distinct pygmy species. |
| Compsognathus longipes | "Elegant jaw, long-footed" | Saurischia, Theropoda, Compsognathidae | Late Jurassic (~150 Million Years Ago) | ~30 centimeters (1 foot) | ~1.2 meters (3.9 feet) | ~2–3.5 kilograms (4.4–7.7 pounds) | Carnivore (Lizards and insects) | Germany & France | Solnhofen Limestone | Johann A. Wagner (1859) | For over a century, it held the crown as the smallest known dinosaur. It was preserved in pristine lagoons alongside Archaeopteryx. |
| Proceratosaurus bradleyi | "Before Ceratosaurus of F. Bradley" | Saurischia, Theropoda, Proceratosauridae | Middle Jurassic (~166 Million Years Ago) | ~1 meter (3.3 feet) | ~3 meters (9.8 feet) | ~40 kilograms (88 pounds) | Carnivore (Small prey) | Gloucestershire, England | Great Oolite Group | Arthur Smith Woodward (1910) | Originally mistaken for an ancestor of Ceratosaurus due to its head crest. It is actually the earliest known member of the tyrant family tree. |
| Yutyrannus huali | "Feathered tyrant, beautiful" | Saurischia, Theropoda, Proceratosauridae | Early Cretaceous (~125 Million Years Ago) | ~3 meters (10 feet) | ~9 meters (30 feet) | ~1,400 kilograms (1.5 tons) | Carnivore (Sauropods, ornithopods) | Liaoning Province, China | Yixian Formation | Xu Xing et al. (2012) | A game-changer for dinosaur biology. It is the largest dinosaur ever found with direct fossil proof of a dense shaggy coat of feathers. |
| Archaeornithomimus asiaticus | "Ancient bird mimic of Asia" | Saurischia, Theropoda, Ornithomimidae | Late Cretaceous (~96–70 Million Years Ago) | ~1.1 meters (3.6 feet) | ~3.3 meters (11 feet) | ~50–90 kilograms (110–200 pounds) | Omnivore (Plants, fruits, small animals) | Inner Mongolia, China | Iren Dabasu Formation | Dale Russell (1972) | An early, ancestral ostrich dinosaur. Its hands were remarkably strong, likely used for pulling down tree branches to feed. |
| Dromiceiomimus samueli | "Emu mimic of Samuel" | Saurischia, Theropoda, Ornithomimidae | Late Cretaceous (~73 Million Years Ago) | ~1.5 meters (5 feet) | ~3.5 meters (11.5 feet) | ~100–150 kilograms (220–330 pounds) | Omnivore (Eggs, insects, leaves) | Alberta, Canada | Horseshoe Canyon Formation | Dale Russell (1972) | Possessed incredibly large eye sockets and a massive braincase, indicating sharp night vision and keen awareness. |
| Gallimimus bullatus | "Rooster mimic, capsuled" | Saurischia, Theropoda, Ornithomimidae | Late Cretaceous (~70 Million Years Ago) | ~2 meters (6.6 feet) | ~6 meters (20 feet) | ~440 kilograms (970 pounds) | Omnivore (Plants, small lizards, insects) | Nemegt Desert, Mongolia | Nemegt Formation | Halszka Osmólska et al. (1972) | The largest of the bird-mimic dinosaurs. It achieved screen immortality running in a massive, flocking stampede in the original Jurassic Park. |
| Ornithomimus velox | "Bird mimic, swift" | Saurischia, Theropoda, Ornithomimidae | Late Cretaceous (~68–66 Million Years Ago) | ~1.5 meters (5 feet) | ~3.8 meters (12.5 feet) | ~170 kilograms (370 pounds) | Omnivore (Plants, insects, small game) | Colorado & Wyoming, USA | Denver Formation | Othniel Charles Marsh (1890) | The very first ostrich-mimic dinosaur ever named. Spectacular Canadian specimens reveal it had fully feathered, wing-like arms. |
| Struthiomimus altus | "Ostrich mimic, tall" | Saurischia, Theropoda, Ornithomimidae | Late Cretaceous (~76–75 Million Years Ago) | ~1.4 meters (4.6 feet) | ~4.3 meters (14 feet) | ~150 kilograms (330 pounds) | Omnivore (Leaves, seeds, small prey) | Alberta, Canada | Dinosaur Park Formation | Lawrence Lambe (1902) | Built like a modern flightless bird, with ultra-long hind legs designed to outrun heavy predators like Daspletosaurus. |
| Deinocheirus mirificus | "Unusual horrible hand" | Saurischia, Theropoda, Deinocheiridae | Late Cretaceous (~70 Million Years Ago) | ~6 meters (19.7 feet) | ~16.5 meters (52 feet) | ~6,400 kilograms (7.0 tons) | Omnivore (Water plants, lake fish) | Nemegt Desert, Mongolia | Nemegt Formation | Halszka Osmólska (1970) | A biological puzzle solved. Known for decades only by massive 8-foot arms, full skeletons reveal a bizarre, hump-backed, duck-billed giant. |
| Chirostenotes pergracilis | "Narrow-handed, very graceful" | Saurischia, Theropoda, Oviraptorosauria, Caenagnathidae | Late Cretaceous (~76.5 Million Years Ago) | ~1 meter (3.3 feet) | ~2.5 meters (8.2 feet) | ~30–40 kilograms (66–88 pounds) | Omnivore (Eggs, small prey, plants) | Alberta, Canada | Dinosaur Park Formation | Lawrence Lambe (1924) | Highly elegant, boasting long, slender fingers with sharp claws, a toothless beak, and a hollow, cassowary-like crest on its skull. |
| Oviraptor philoceratops | "Egg thief, lover of ceratopsians" | Saurischia, Theropoda, Oviraptoridae | Late Cretaceous (~75 Million Years Ago) | ~1 meter (3.3 feet) | ~1.6 meters (5.2 feet) | ~35–40 kilograms (77–88 pounds) | Omnivore (Nuts, seeds, shellfish) | Gobi Desert, Mongolia | Djadochta Formation | Henry Fairfield Osborn (1924) | Victims of prehistoric framing. Originally accused of stealing Protoceratops eggs, later finds proved it died protecting its own nest. |
| Troodon formosus | "Wounding tooth, beautiful" | Saurischia, Theropoda, Troodontidae, Saurornithoididae | Late Cretaceous (~77 Million Years Ago) | ~1 meter (3.3 feet) | ~2.4 meters (7.9 feet) | ~50 kilograms (110 pounds) | Omnivore (Small mammals, birds, plants) | Montana, USA | Judith River Formation | Joseph Leidy (1856) | Long considered a wastebasket taxon based on a single tooth. While the name is problematic, the animal holds the highest brain-to-body ratio of any dinosaur. |
| Therizinosaurus cheloniformis | "Scythe lizard, turtle-formed" | Saurischia, Theropoda, Therizinosauridae | Late Cretaceous (~70 Million Years Ago) | ~5 meters (16.4 feet) | ~9–10 meters (30–33 feet) | ~5,000 kilograms (5.5 tons) | Herbivore (High-canopy foliage) | Nemegt Desert, Mongolia | Nemegt Formation | Evgeny Maleev (1954) | A vegetarian theropod nightmare. It walked on heavy, wide legs and used its terrifying 3-foot scythe-claws to rip down tree branches. |
Suborder Theropoda (Infraorder Deinonychosauria & Basal Avialae)
| Name | Meaning | Clade | Temporal Range | Height | Length | Mass | Diet | Location | Formation | Author / Description | Rick Robles's Comments |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Atrociraptor marshalli | "Savage robber of Wayne Marshall" | Saurischia, Theropoda, Dromaeosauridae, Saurornitholestinae | Late Cretaceous (~68.5 Million Years Ago) | ~1 meter (3.3 feet) | ~2 meters (6.6 feet) | ~15 kilograms (33 pounds) | Carnivore (Small mammals, birds, reptiles) | Alberta, Canada | Horseshoe Canyon Formation | Philip J. Currie & Varricchio (2004) | Distinctly different from its cousin Velociraptor. It possessed a much shorter, deeper skull and an incredibly powerful crushing bite. |
| Deinonychus antirrhopus | "Terrible claw, counter-balancing" | Saurischia, Theropoda, Dromaeosauridae, Dromaeosaurinae | Early Cretaceous (~115–108 Million Years Ago) | ~1 meter (3.3 feet) | ~3.4 meters (11.2 feet) | ~73–100 kilograms (161–220 pounds) | Carnivore (Tenontosaurus, small game) | Montana, Wyoming & Oklahoma, USA | Cloverly Formation | John Ostrom (1969) | The spark of the modern Dinosaur Renaissance. Its discovery completely overturned the old view of dinosaurs as slow, cold-blooded monsters. |
| Hesperonychus elizabethae | "Western claw of Elizabeth Nicholls" | Saurischia, Theropoda, Dromaeosauridae, Microraptorinae | Late Cretaceous (~76.5 Million Years Ago) | ~30 centimeters (1 foot) | ~1 meter (3.3 feet) | ~1.5–2 kilograms (3.3–4.4 pounds) | Carnivore (Insects, small mammals, frogs) | Alberta, Canada | Dinosaur Park Formation | Nicholas Longrich & Currie (2009) | A tiny, feathered marvel. It holds the record as the smallest predatory dinosaur ever found in North America, filling a mini-hunter niche. |
| Pyroraptor olympius | "Fire robber of Mount Olympus" | Saurischia, Theropoda, Dromaeosauridae, Unenlagiinae | Late Cretaceous (~70.6 Million Years Ago) | ~60 centimeters (2 feet) | ~1.6 meters (5.2 feet) | ~30 kilograms (66 pounds) | Carnivore (Small island vertebrates) | Provence, France | Argiles Rutilantes Formation | Allain & Taquet (2000) | Named after a destructive forest fire that uncovered its fossils. It lived on a collection of tropical, ancient European islands. |
| Saurornitholestes sullivani | "Lizard-bird robber of Robert Sullivan" | Saurischia, Theropoda, Dromaeosauridae, Saurornitholestinae | Late Cretaceous (~73 Million Years Ago) | ~1 meter (3.3 feet) | ~1.8 meters (5.9 feet) | ~10–13 kilograms (22–28 pounds) | Carnivore (Small mammals, juvenile ceratopsians) | New Mexico, USA | Kirtland Formation | Steven Jasinski (2015) | Outstandingly sharp senses. Reconstructed skulls show a giant olfactory bulb, proving it tracked its prey using a bloodhound's sense of smell. |
| Utahraptor ostrommaysi | "Utah robber of John Ostrom & Chris Mays" | Saurischia, Theropoda, Dromaeosauridae, Dromaeosaurinae | Early Cretaceous (~135–124 Million Years Ago) | ~2 meters (6.6 feet) at the hips | ~5.5–7 meters (18–23 feet) | ~300–500 kilograms (660–1,100 pounds) | Carnivore (Iguanodonts, armored dinosaurs) | Utah, USA | Cedar Mountain Formation | James Kirkland et al. (1993) | The absolute giant of the raptor family. It carried a terrifying 9-inch sickle claw built for pinning down multi-ton plant eaters. |
| Velociraptor osmolskae | "Swift robber of Halszka Osmólska" | Saurischia, Theropoda, Dromaeosauridae, Velociraptorinae | Late Cretaceous (~75–71 Million Years Ago) | ~50 centimeters (1.6 feet) | ~2 meters (6.6 feet) | ~15–20 kilograms (33–44 pounds) | Carnivore (Protoceratops, small lizards) | Inner Mongolia, China | Bayan Mandahu Formation | Godefroit et al. (2008) | A highly distinct desert specialist. It is the closely related sister species to the famous Velociraptor mongoliensis from just across the border. |
| Archaeopteryx albersdoerferi | "Ancient wing of Raimund Albersdörfer" | Saurischia, Theropoda, Avialae, Archaeopterygidae | Late Jurassic (~150 Million Years Ago) | ~25 centimeters (10 inches) | ~50 centimeters (20 inches) | ~0.5–1 kilogram (1.1–2.2 pounds) | Carnivore (Insects, small crawling lizards) | Bavaria, Germany | Solnhofen Limestone | Martin Kundrát et al. (2019) | The perfect transitional fossil. It beautifully blends non-avian dinosaur features like teeth and a long tail with fully developed flight feathers. |
| Alexornis antecedens | "Alex Wetmore's ancestral bird" | Saurischia, Theropoda, Avialae, Alexornithidae | Late Cretaceous (~73 Million Years Ago) | ~10 centimeters (4 inches) | ~20 centimeters (8 inches) | ~50–100 grams (1.7–3.5 ounces) | Carnivore/Insectivore (Insects, larvae, snails) | Baja California, Mexico | El Gallo Formation | Pierce Brodkorb (1976) | A true survivor of the Cretaceous skies. This tiny, sparrow-sized creature belongs to a highly advanced branch of early birds that lived alongside the titans. |
Suborder Sauropodomorpha (Infraorder Prosauropoda & Ancestral Lineages)
| Name | Meaning | Clade | Temporal Range | Height | Length | Mass | Diet | Location | Formation | Author / Description | Rick Robles's Comments |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Herrerasaurus ischigualastensis | "Herrera's lizard from Ischigualasto" | Saurischia, Herrerasauridae | Late Triassic (~231–228 Million Years Ago) | ~1.5 meters (5 feet) | ~3–6 meters (10–20 feet) | ~200–350 kilograms (440–770 pounds) | Carnivore (Early dicynodonts, small reptiles) | San Juan Province, Argentina | Ischigualasto Formation | Osvaldo Reig (1963) | One of the earliest true dinosaurs. While it sits at the absolute base of the dinosaur tree, it was already a fast, terrifying apex predator. |
| Anchisaurus polyzelus | "Much sought-after near lizard" | Saurischia, Sauropodomorpha, Anchisauria, Anchisauridae | Early Jurassic (~195–190 Million Years Ago) | ~60 centimeters (2 feet) | ~2–2.5 meters (6.6–8.2 feet) | ~20–30 kilograms (44–66 pounds) | Herbivore / Omnivore (Ferns, leaves, insects) | Connecticut & Massachusetts, USA | Portland Formation | Edward Hitchcock (1865) / Marsh (1885) | A highly historic find. It marks one of the very first dinosaurs ever discovered in North America and was originally mistaken for human bones. |
| Efraasia minor | "Eberhard Fraas's minor lizard" | Saurischia, Sauropodomorpha, Anchisauria | Late Triassic (~210 Million Years Ago) | ~70 centimeters (2.3 feet) | ~6 meters (20 feet) | ~200 kilograms (440 pounds) | Herbivore (Low-growing Triassic plants) | Baden-Württemberg, Germany | Löwenstein Formation | Friedrich von Huene (1907–1908) | Long buried in taxonomic confusion. It was mistakenly classified as a carnosaur and a Thecodontosaurus before being recognized as its own unique genus. |
| Thecodontosaurus antiquus | "Ancient socket-toothed lizard" | Saurischia, Sauropodomorpha, Thecodontosauridae | Late Triassic (~205 Million Years Ago) | ~30 centimeters (1 foot) | ~1.2–2 meters (4–6.6 feet) | ~11 kilograms (24 pounds) | Herbivore / Omnivore (Leaves, small lizards) | Bristol, England | Magnesian Conglomerate | Riley & Stutchbury (1836) | The "Bristol Dinosaur." It was only the fourth dinosaur genus ever named in history and lived on ancient, tropical British islands. |
| Massospondylus kaalae | "Massive vertebra from Kaala" | Saurischia, Sauropodomorpha, Massopoda, Massospondylidae | Early Jurassic (~200–183 Million Years Ago) | ~1.5 meters (5 feet) | ~4–6 meters (13–20 feet) | ~1,000 kilograms (1.1 tons) | Herbivore (High-canopy vegetation) | Free State, South Africa | Elliot Formation | Sir Richard Owen (1854) / Barrett (2009) | Famous for spectacular nesting sites discovered in South Africa. The fossilized eggs contain the oldest known dinosaur embryos in the world. |
| Plateosaurus gracilis | "Broad slender lizard" | Saurischia, Sauropodomorpha, Plateosauridae | Late Triassic (~210–204 Million Years Ago) | ~1.5 meters (5 feet) | ~4.5–5 meters (15–16.4 feet) | ~600 kilograms (1,320 pounds) | Herbivore (Tough Triassic flora) | Germany | Löwenstein Formation | von Huene (1905) / Yates (2003) | Originally named Sellosaurus. This species represents a smaller, significantly lighter, and more graceful cousin to the giant Plateosaurus trossingensis. |
| Riojasaurus incertus | "Uncertain La Rioja lizard" | Saurischia, Sauropodomorpha, Riojasauridae | Late Triassic (~221–210 Million Years Ago) | ~3 meters (10 feet) | ~10 meters (33 feet) | ~3,000 kilograms (3.3 tons) | Herbivore (Tough cycads and conifers) | La Rioja Province, Argentina | Los Colorados Formation | José Bonaparte (1969) | A massive heavy-weight of the Triassic. Its dense, heavy leg bones prove that it had completely lost the ability to run on two legs, walking strictly on all fours. |
Suborder Sauropodomorpha (With Micro-Prosauropod Addition)
| Name | Meaning | Clade | Temporal Range | Height | Length | Mass | Diet | Location | Formation | Author / Description | Rick Robles's Comments |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Smurfette smurfensis | "Smurfette from Smurf Village" | Saurischia, Sauropodomorpha, Micro-Prosauropoda | Late Triassic (~210 Million Years Ago) | ~19 centimeters (7.5 inches) | ~30 centimeters (12 inches) | ~250 grams (8.8 ounces) | Herbivore (Sarsaparilla leaves, berries) | Smurfberry Woods / Western Europe | Smurf-Stone Strata | Peyo (1958) / 2021 TV Series | The absolute smallest prosauropod imaginable. She uses her tiny size and agility to forage under the feet of giant Plateosaurus herds. |
Suborder Sauropodomorpha (Infraorder Sauropoda)
| Name | Meaning | Clade | Temporal Range | Height | Length | Mass | Diet | Location | Formation | Author / Description | Rick Robles's Comments |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Barapasaurus tagorei | "Big-legged lizard of Rabindranath Tagore" | Saurischia, Sauropodomorpha, Sauropoda, Cetiosauridae | Early Jurassic (~196–183 Million Years Ago) | ~4 meters (13 feet) at the hips | ~12–14 meters (40–46 feet) | ~7,000 kilograms (7.7 tons) | Herbivore (Tall conifers and ferns) | Telangana, India | Kota Formation | Jain, Robinson & Roy-Chowdhury (1975) | One of the earliest known true sauropods. It provides a vital blueprint of how these animals evolved their giant size and heavy, tree-trunk legs. |
| Brachiosaurus altithorax | "Arm lizard with a deep chest" | Saurischia, Sauropodomorpha, Macronaria, Brachiosauridae | Late Jurassic (~154–150 Million Years Ago) | ~12–16 meters (40–52.5 feet) | ~22 meters (72 feet) | ~28,000–35,000 kilograms (31–38 tons) | Herbivore (High-canopy trees, ginkgos) | Colorado & Utah, USA; Telangana, India | Morrison; Kota Formation | Elmer S. Riggs (1903) | Unlike most sauropods, its front legs were longer than its back legs. This built-in incline let it effortlessly browse the highest treetops. |
| Sauroposeidon proteles | "Lizard earthquake god, perfect before the end" | Saurischia, Sauropodomorpha, Somphospondyli, Brachiosauridae | Early Cretaceous (~112 Million Years Ago) | ~17–18 meters (56–60 feet) | ~28–34 meters (92–111 feet) | ~40,000–50,000 kilograms (44–55 tons) | Herbivore (Conifers, flowering plants) | Oklahoma & Texas, USA | Antlers Formation | Wedel, Cifelli & Sanders (2000) | The absolute peak of sauropod height. Its neck vertebrae were up to four feet long, making it look like a giant living watchtower. |
| Camarasaurus supremus | "Chambered lizard, highest" | Saurischia, Sauropodomorpha, Macronaria, Camarasauridae | Late Jurassic (~155–145 Million Years Ago) | ~7.5 meters (23 feet) total height | ~15–23 meters (50–75 feet) | ~15,000–20,000 kilograms (16.5–22 tons) | Herbivore (Tough cycads, coarse plants) | Colorado & Wyoming, USA | Morrison Formation | Edward Drinker Cope (1877) | The most common sauropod of Jurassic North America. It possessed a short, boxy skull with thick, spoon-shaped teeth made for eating tough wood. |
| Euhelopus zdanskyi | "True marsh foot of Otto Zdansky" | Saurischia, Sauropodomorpha, Somphospondyli, Euhelopodidae | Early Cretaceous (~129–113 Million Years Ago) | ~3.5 meters (11.5 feet) at the hips | ~11–15 meters (36–50 feet) | ~3,500–4,000 kilograms (3.8–4.4 tons) | Herbivore (High-altitude conifers) | Shandong Province, China | Mengyin Formation | Carl Wiman (1929) | A highly distinct Asian sauropod. It carried its long neck in a nearly vertical position, balancing its weight on long, well-developed legs. |
| Opisthocoelicaudia skarzynskii | "Posterior cavity tail of Maria Skarżyńska" | Saurischia, Sauropodomorpha, Titanosauria, Saltasauridae | Late Cretaceous (~70 Million Years Ago) | ~2.5 meters (8.2 feet) at the hips | ~11.4 meters (37 feet) | ~8,400–10,000 kilograms (9.2–11 tons) | Herbivore (Low to mid-level plants) | Gobi Desert, Mongolia | Nemegt Formation | Maria Magdalena Borsuk-Białynicka (1977) | Found completely missing its neck and head. Its tail vertebrae were uniquely locked together, letting it prop itself up on three legs to feed. |
| Apatosaurus ajax | "Deceptive lizard, named after Ajax" | Saurischia, Sauropodomorpha, Diplodocoidea, Diplodocidae | Late Jurassic (~152–151 Million Years Ago) | ~5.5 meters (18.4 feet) at the hips | ~21–23 meters (69–75 feet) | ~16,400–22,400 kilograms (18–24.6 tons) | Herbivore (Ferns, soft ground vegetation) | Colorado, USA | Morrison Formation | Othniel Charles Marsh (1877) | Famously caught up in the "Brontosaurus" naming confusion. It was an incredibly robust, thick-necked giant built low to the ground. |
| Diplodocus hallorum | "Double beam of the Hall family" | Saurischia, Sauropodomorpha, Diplodocoidea, Diplodocidae | Late Jurassic (~154–152 Million Years Ago) | ~5 meters (16.4 feet) at the hips | ~30–33 meters (98–108 feet) | ~13,000–15,000 kilograms (14.3–16.5 tons) | Herbivore (Low ferns, soft river plants) | New Mexico, USA | Morrison Formation | David Gillette (1991) | Originally named Seismosaurus. It was built like a giant whip, balancing its long neck with an ultra-slender, fast-cracking tail. |
| Mamenchisaurus sinocanadorum | "Mamenchi lizard of the Sino-Canadian expedition" | Saurischia, Sauropodomorpha, Mamenchisauridae | Late Jurassic (~160–158 Million Years Ago) | ~17.8 meters (58.6 feet) total height | ~26–35 meters (85–115 feet) | ~25,000–60,000 kilograms (27.5–66 tons) | Herbivore (Tall trees and horsetails) | Xinjiang, China | Shishugou Formation | Russell & Zheng (1993) | Holds the record for the longest neck of any animal in history, measuring over 50 feet. It used specialized hollow neck bones to save weight. |
| Supersaurus vivianae | "Super lizard of Vivian Jones" | Saurischia, Sauropodomorpha, Diplodocoidea, Diplodocidae | Late Jurassic (~153 Million Years Ago) | ~21.5 meters (70.5 feet) total height | ~39–50 meters (128–160 feet) | ~32,000–40,000 kilograms (35–44 tons) | Herbivore (Ferns, tree foliage) | Colorado & Wyoming, USA | Morrison Formation | James Alvin Jensen (1985) | The longest dinosaur currently known from good fossil remains. Recent specimen studies prove its whip-like body could stretch across half a football field. |
| Dreadnoughtus schrani | "Fears nothing, of Adam Schran" | Saurischia, Sauropodomorpha, Titanosauria, Lithostrotia | Late Cretaceous (~77 Million Years Ago) | ~18.7 meters (61.4 feet) total height | ~26 meters (85 feet) | ~49,000–59,000 kilograms (54–65 tons) | Herbivore (Massive quantities of foliage) | Santa Cruz Province, Argentina | Cerro Fortaleza Formation | Kenneth Lacovara (2014) | One of the most complete giant titanosaur skeletons ever dug up. Because it was so heavy, its bones show it hadn't even finished growing yet. |
| Patagotitan mayorum | "Patagonian titan of the Mayo family" | Saurischia, Sauropodomorpha, Titanosauria, Lognkosauria | Late Cretaceous (~101 Million Years Ago) | ~12 meters (40 feet) total height | ~37 meters (121 feet) | ~62,000–70,000 kilograms (68–77 tons) | Herbivore (Cretaceous trees and shrubs) | Chubut Province, Argentina | Cerro Barcino Formation | Carballido et al. (2017) | A contender for the heaviest land animal to ever live. A single femur bone stands eight feet tall, towering over human researchers. |
| Saltasaurus loricatus | "Lizard from Salta, armored" | Saurischia, Sauropodomorpha, Titanosauria, Saltasauridae | Late Cretaceous (~70–66 Million Years Ago) | ~2 meters (6.6 feet) at the hips | ~8.5 meters (28 feet) | ~2,500–3,000 kilograms (2.7–3.3 tons) | Herbivore (Low-lying plants, shrubs) | Salta Province, Argentina | Lecho Formation | José Bonaparte & Powell (1980) | A literal tank of a sauropod. Its discovery shocked the scientific community by proving some sauropods had bone armor plates on their backs. |
Suborder Cerapoda (Infraorder Ornithopoda & Basal Relatives)
| Name | Meaning | Clade | Temporal Range | Height | Length | Mass | Diet | Location | Formation | Author / Description | Rick Robles's Comments |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lesothosaurus diagnosticus | "Lizard from Lesotho, diagnostic" | Ornithischia, Genasauria, Neornithischia | Early Jurassic (~199–189 Million Years Ago) | ~40 centimeters (1.3 feet) | ~2 meters (6.6 feet) | ~6–10 kilograms (13–22 pounds) | Herbivore (Low-lying ferns and roots) | Lesotho & South Africa | Upper Elliot Formation | Peter Galton (1978) | A highly important evolutionary baseline. It was a small, ultra-sleek bipedal runner with long hind legs built entirely for escaping early predators. |
| Scutellosaurus lawleri | "Little-shielded lizard of David Lawler" | Ornithischia, Genasauria, Thyreophora | Early Jurassic (~196 Million Years Ago) | ~50 centimeters (1.6 feet) | ~1.2 meters (3.9 feet) | ~10 kilograms (22 pounds) | Herbivore (Low Jurassic shrubs) | Arizona, USA | Kayenta Formation | Edwin H. Colbert (1981) | The ultimate grandfather of all armored dinosaurs. Unlike later multi-ton quadrupedal tanks, this tiny ancestor ran swiftly on two legs and was covered in hundreds of tiny, pebble-like bone scutes. |
| Echinodon becklesii | "Prickly tooth of Samuel Beckles" | Ornithischia, Heterodontosauridae | Early Cretaceous (~140 Million Years Ago) | ~20 centimeters (8 inches) | ~60 centimeters (2 feet) | ~1–2 kilograms (2.2–4.4 pounds) | Omnivore (Roots, tough fibers, insects) | Dorset, England | Purbeck Limestone Formation | Sir Richard Owen (1861) | An evolutionary oddity. It is one of the very last surviving members of its family tree, carrying unique, spiked tooth structures late into the Mesozoic. |
| Heterodontosaurus tucki | "Different-toothed lizard of G. C. Tuck" | Ornithischia, Heterodontosauridae | Early Jurassic (~200–190 Million Years Ago) | ~40 centimeters (1.3 feet) | ~1.1–1.75 meters (3.6–5.7 feet) | ~2–10 kilograms (4.4–22 pounds) | Omnivore (Plants, fruits, small lizards) | Cape Province, South Africa | Upper Elliot Formation | Crompton & Charig (1962) | A dental marvel. It breaks the "one-type-of-tooth" reptile rule by possessing sharp slicing front teeth, thick grinding cheek teeth, and prominent, intimidating fangs. |
| Dryosaurus elderae | "Oak lizard of Joann Elder" | Ornithischia, Cerapoda, Ornithopoda, Dryosauridae | Late Jurassic (~155–150 Million Years Ago) | ~1.2 meters (4 feet) at the hips | ~2.4–3 meters (8–10 feet) | ~77–90 kilograms (170–200 pounds) | Herbivore (Ferns, horsetails, mosses) | Utah & Wyoming, USA | Morrison Formation | Othniel Charles Marsh (1894) | A beautifully streamlined, hornless vegetarian. It lacked a defensive weapons system, relying purely on its acute hearing and intense speed to evade hunting packs. |
| Hypsilophodon foxii | "High-crested tooth of William Fox" | Ornithischia, Cerapoda, Ornithopoda, Hypsilophodontidae | Early Cretaceous (~130–125 Million Years Ago) | ~60 centimeters (2 feet) | ~1.8 meters (5.9 feet) | ~20 kilograms (44 pounds) | Herbivore (Tough low-growing vegetation) | Isle of Wight, England | Wessex Formation | Thomas Henry Huxley (1869) | Victorian-era scientists mistakenly claimed its long toes allowed it to climb trees like a modern kangaroo. Modern physics proves it was strictly a land-bound speedster. |
| Parksosaurus warreni | "William Parks's lizard of Freeman Warren" | Ornithischia, Cerapoda, Ornithopoda, Thescelosauridae | Late Cretaceous (~70 Million Years Ago) | ~1 meter (3.3 feet) at the hips | ~2.5 meters (8.2 feet) | ~45–60 kilograms (100–132 pounds) | Herbivore (Shrubs, low-hanging browse) | Alberta, Canada | Horseshoe Canyon Formation | William Parks (1926) / Charles M. Sternberg (1937) | A rugged survivor that shared its environment with giant duck-billed dinosaurs. It held onto a highly conservative, basic bipedal body plan right up to the end of the dinosaur age. |
| Tenontosaurus dossi | "Sinew lizard of James Doss" | Ornithischia, Cerapoda, Ornithopoda, Iguanodontia | Early Cretaceous (~115–108 Million Years Ago) | ~2 meters (6.6 feet) at the hips | ~6.5–8 meters (21–26 feet) | ~1,000–2,000 kilograms (1.1–2.2 tons) | Herbivore (Ferns, cycads, early flowering plants) | Texas, USA | Twin Mountains Formation | John Ostrom (1970) / Winkler, Murry & Jacobs (1997) | Boasted an incredibly long, muscular tail stiffened by bundles of bony tendons. This specialized species represents a much older, ancestral form compared to the famous Tenontosaurus tilletti. |
| Thescelosaurus garbanii | "Wonderful lizard of Harley Garbani" | Ornithischia, Cerapoda, Ornithopoda, Thescelosauridae | Late Cretaceous (~68–66 Million Years Ago) | ~1.2 meters (4 feet) at the hips | ~4–4.5 meters (13–15 feet) | ~200–300 kilograms (440–660 pounds) | Herbivore (Tough roots, twigs, horsetails) | Montana, USA | Hell Creek Formation | Charles M. Sternberg (1913) / Morris (1976) | Heavily built, stocky, and low to the ground. It ignored the fast-running trend of other small ornithopods, using powerful hips to dig up buried roots and tubers. |
Suborder Cerapoda (Infraorder Ornithopoda)
| Name | Meaning | Clade | Temporal Range | Height | Length | Mass | Diet | Location | Formation | Author / Description | Rick Robles's Comments |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Camptosaurus dispar | "Flexible lizard, different" | Ornithischia, Ornithopoda, Ankylopollexia, Camptosauridae | Late Jurassic (~156–150 Million Years Ago) | ~2 meters (6.6 feet) at the hips | ~6 meters (20 feet) | ~800–1,000 kilograms (1,760–2,200 pounds) | Herbivore (Cycads, ferns, horsetails) | Wyoming & Utah, USA | Morrison Formation | Othniel Charles Marsh (1879) | A classic Jurassic plant-eater. It could switch between walking on all fours to browse ground cover and standing on its hind legs to reach high branches. |
| Iguanodon bernissartensis | "Iguana tooth from Bernissart" | Ornithischia, Ornithopoda, Ankylopollexia, Iguanodontidae | Early Cretaceous (~126–122 Million Years Ago) | ~3 meters (10 feet) at the hips | ~10–13 meters (33–43 feet) | ~3,500–5,000 kilograms (3.8–5.5 tons) | Herbivore (Conifers, horsetails, ferns) | Bernissart, Belgium | Sainte-Barbe Clays Formation | Gideon Mantell (1825) / Boulenger (1881) | A milestone in paleontology. Its signature spike, originally mistaken for a horn on its nose by early Victorian scientists, was actually a devastating thumb claw. |
| Muttaburrasaurus langdoni | "Muttaburra lizard of Doug Langdon" | Ornithischia, Ornithopoda, Iguanodontia, Rhabdodontomorpha | Early Cretaceous (~105–103 Million Years Ago) | ~2.5 meters (8.2 feet) at the hips | ~7–8 meters (23–26 feet) | ~2,800 kilograms (3.1 tons) | Herbivore / Omnivore (Ferns, clubmosses, shells) | Queensland, Australia | Mackunda Formation | Bartholomai & Molnar (1981) | Armed with a large, hollow, bulbous snout. This structure likely acted as a natural loudspeaker, letting it blast out deep, booming calls across ancient Australia. |
| Ouranosaurus nigeriensis | "Brave lizard from Niger" | Ornithischia, Ornithopoda, Hadrosauroidea | Early Cretaceous (~112–110 Million Years Ago) | ~3 meters (10 feet) at the hips | ~7–8.3 meters (23–27 feet) | ~2,200 kilograms (2.4 tons) | Herbivore (Early flowering plants, leaves) | Agadez Region, Niger | Elrhaz Formation | Philippe Taquet (1976) | An unmistakable African marvel. It grew ultra-tall neural spines down its spine that supported either a thin, cooling sail or a dense, camel-like hump of fat. |
| Corythosaurus casuarius | "Helmet lizard, cassowary-like" | Ornithischia, Hadrosauridae, Lambeosaurinae | Late Cretaceous (~77–75 Million Years Ago) | ~4 meters (13 feet) total height | ~9 meters (30 feet) | ~3,000–4,000 kilograms (3.3–4.4 tons) | Herbivore (Pine needles, twigs, seeds) | Alberta, Canada; Wyoming, USA | Dinosaur Park; Lance Formation | Barnum Brown (1914) | A beautifully preserved duck-bill. Its circular, hollow head crest worked exactly like a trombone, vibrating air to create deep, low-frequency warning calls. |
| Edmontosaurus regalis | "Regal Edmonton lizard" | Ornithischia, Hadrosauridae, Saurolophinae | Late Cretaceous (~73 Million Years Ago) | ~3.5 meters (11.5 feet) at the hips | ~12–13 meters (39–43 feet) | ~4,000–7,000 kilograms (4.4–7.7 tons) | Herbivore (Tough conifer needles, bark) | Alberta, Canada; Wyoming, USA | Horseshoe Canyon; Lance Formation | Lawrence Lambe (1917) | A flat-headed giant. Incredible "dinosaur mummies" with fossilized skin show it had a fleshy, rooster-like comb on its head and striped camouflage scales. |
| Lambeosaurus magnicristatus | "Lawrence Lambe's lizard, large-crested" | Ornithischia, Hadrosauridae, Lambeosaurinae | Late Cretaceous (~76–75 Million Years Ago) | ~4 meters (13 feet) total height | ~9.1 meters (30 feet) | ~3,300 kilograms (3.6 tons) | Herbivore (Leaves, twigs, shrubs) | Alberta, Canada | Dinosaur Park Formation | Charles M. Sternberg (1935) | Boasted a highly theatrical, forward-pointing crest shaped like a giant hatchet. This massive display crest was completely hollow and used for mating rituals. |
| Maiasaura peeblesorum | "Good mother lizard of the Peebles family" | Ornithischia, Hadrosauridae, Saurolophinae | Late Cretaceous (~76.7 Million Years Ago) | ~2.5 meters (8.2 feet) at the hips | ~9 meters (30 feet) | ~4,000 kilograms (4.4 tons) | Herbivore (Woody vegetation, leaves) | Montana, USA | Two Medicine Formation | Jack Horner & Makela (1979) | Proof of prehistoric love. Found in massive colonial nesting grounds, fossil evidence proves these mothers stayed behind to fiercely feed and care for their helpless babies. |
| Parasaurolophus walkeri | "Near crested lizard of Sir Byron Walker" | Ornithischia, Hadrosauridae, Lambeosaurinae | Late Cretaceous (~76.5–75.3 Million Years Ago) | ~4.2 meters (13.8 feet) total height | ~9.5–10 meters (31–33 feet) | ~2,500–3,500 kilograms (2.7–3.8 tons) | Herbivore (Ferns, leaves, pine needles) | Alberta, Canada | Dinosaur Park Formation | William Parks (1922) | Pop culture's favorite duck-bill. It sported a spectacular, backward-curving tube crest on its skull that stretched up to six feet long to blast resonant acoustic calls. |
| Saurolophus osborni | "Crested lizard of Henry Fairfield Osborn" | Ornithischia, Hadrosauridae, Saurolophinae | Late Cretaceous (~70–68 Million Years Ago) | ~3 meters (10 feet) at the hips | ~9.8 meters (32 feet) | ~3,000 kilograms (3.3 tons) | Herbivore (Ground flora, conifers) | Alberta, Canada | Horseshoe Canyon Formation | Barnum Brown (1912) | A highly widespread genus. Unlike its lambeosaurine cousins, its crest was a solid bone spike that angled backward, likely anchoring a bright, inflatable nose sac. |
| Shantungosaurus giganteus | "Shandong lizard, gigantic" | Ornithischia, Hadrosauridae, Saurolophinae | Late Cretaceous (~73 Million Years Ago) | ~6 meters (20 feet) at the hips | ~15–16.6 meters (49–54 feet) | ~15,000–20,000 kilograms (16.5–22 tons) | Herbivore (Shrubs, massive quantities of plants) | Shandong Province, China | Wangshi Group | Hu Chengzhi (1973) | The absolute colossus of the ornithopod world. It holds the record as the largest non-sauropod dinosaur in history, matching the mass of many long-neck sauropods. |
| Tsintaosaurus spinorhinus | "Qingdao lizard, thorn-nosed" | Ornithischia, Hadrosauridae, Lambeosaurinae | Late Cretaceous (~73 Million Years Ago) | ~3.5 meters (11.5 feet) at the hips | ~8.3–10 meters (27–33 feet) | ~3,000 kilograms (3.3 tons) | Herbivore (Leaves, seeds, tough plant fibers) | Shandong Province, China | Jiangjunding Formation | C. C. Young (1958) | Historically reconstructed with a bizarre, unicorn-like spike sticking straight up. Modern skull reconstructions show that this spike was actually the back wall of a much larger, hollow, sail-like crest. |
Suborder Cerapoda (Clade Marginocephalia)
| Name | Meaning | Clade | Temporal Range | Height | Length | Mass | Diet | Location | Formation | Author / Description | Rick Robles's Comments |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dracorex hogwartsia | "Dragon king of Hogwarts" (named for the school in the Harry Potter series) | Ornithischia, Cerapoda, Marginocephalia, Pachycephalosauridae | Late Cretaceous (~68–66 Million Years Ago) | ~1.1 meters (3.6 feet) | ~3 meters (9.8 feet) | ~50–60 kilograms (110–132 pounds) | Herbivore / Omnivore (Leaves, seeds, insects) | South Dakota, USA | Hell Creek Formation | Bakker et al. (2006) | Looking like a mythical fantasy dragon, its skull is flat and covered in spiky horns. Most scientists now agree this was a young, juvenile Pachycephalosaurus. |
| Homalocephale calathocercos | "Even head, basket tail" | Ornithischia, Cerapoda, Marginocephalia, Pachycephalosauridae | Late Cretaceous (~70 Million Years Ago) | ~60 centimeters (2 feet) at the hips | ~1.8 meters (5.9 feet) | ~40 kilograms (88 pounds) | Herbivore / Omnivore (Low-lying plants, fruits) | Gobi Desert, Mongolia | Nemegt Formation | Maryańska & Osmólska (1974) | Features a naturally flat, thick skull ceiling instead of a dome. Its unusually wide hips suggest it may have given birth to live young or had extra room for digesting tough plants. |
| Pachycephalosaurus wyomingensis | "Thick-headed lizard of Wyoming" | Ornithischia, Cerapoda, Marginocephalia, Pachycephalosauridae | Late Cretaceous (~68–66 Million Years Ago) | ~2 meters (6.6 feet) at the hips | ~4.5 meters (15 feet) | ~450 kilograms (990 pounds) | Herbivore / Omnivore (Leaves, twigs, insects) | Montana, Wyoming & South Dakota, USA | Hell Creek Formation | William P. Gilmore (1931) | The absolute king of the bone-heads. It wielded a solid, 9-inch-thick bone dome on its head, rimmed with blunt nodes for head-butting or flank-shoving rivals. |
| Prenocephale prenes | "Sloping head" | Ornithischia, Cerapoda, Marginocephalia, Pachycephalosauridae | Late Cretaceous (~70 Million Years Ago) | ~80 centimeters (2.6 feet) at the hips | ~2.4 meters (7.9 feet) | ~130 kilograms (286 pounds) | Herbivore / Omnivore (Roots, leaves, berries) | Gobi Desert, Mongolia | Nemegt Formation | Maryańska & Osmólska (1974) | A beautifully complete Asian pachycephalosaur. It carried a tall, completely smooth, well-rounded bone dome circled by a neat row of tiny bony spikes at the back. |
| Stygimoloch spinifer | "Thorny devil from the River Styx" | Ornithischia, Cerapoda, Marginocephalia, Pachycephalosauridae | Late Cretaceous (~68–66 Million Years Ago) | ~1.2 meters (4 feet) | ~3 meters (9.8 feet) | ~80 kilograms (176 pounds) | Herbivore / Omnivore (Leaves, seeds, tough shrubs) | Montana & Wyoming, USA | Hell Creek Formation | Peter Galton & Sues (1983) | Instantly recognizable by the cluster of massive, 4-inch-long defensive spikes pointing backward from its head. Modern bone analysis proves this was a teenage Pachycephalosaurus. |
| Psittacosaurus meileyingensis | "Parrot lizard from Meileyingzi" | Ornithischia, Cerapoda, Marginocephalia, Psittacosauridae | Early Cretaceous (~125–121 Million Years Ago) | ~60 centimeters (2 feet) | ~1–2 meters (3.3–6.6 feet) | ~20–30 kilograms (44–66 pounds) | Herbivore (Tough nuts, seeds, vegetation) | Liaoning Province, China | Jiufotang Formation | Sereno, Chao, Cheng & Rao (1988) | A unique, highly distinct species of the famous parrot-lizard. It carried a short, deep skull with an incredibly powerful beak used to crack open rigid nuts and seeds. |
Suborder Cerapoda (Infraorder Ceratopia)
| Name | Meaning | Clade | Temporal Range | Height | Length | Mass | Diet | Location | Formation | Author / Description | Rick Robles's Comments |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bagaceratops rozhdestvenskyi | "Small horned face of Anatoly Rozhdestvensky" | Ornithischia, Marginocephalia, Ceratopia, Protoceratopidae | Late Cretaceous (~75–72 Million Years Ago) | ~50 centimeters (1.6 feet) | ~1 meter (3.3 feet) | ~22 kilograms (48 pounds) | Herbivore (Low-growing desert shrubs) | Gobi Desert, Mongolia | Barun Goyot Formation | Maryańska & Osmólska (1975) | A highly compact desert survivor. It completely lacked brow horns and had a very small, primitive frill, but possessed a small horn-like ridge on its snout. |
| Leptoceratops gracilis | "Slender small-horned face" | Ornithischia, Marginocephalia, Ceratopia, Leptoceratopidae | Late Cretaceous (~68–66 Million Years Ago) | ~80 centimeters (2.6 feet) at the hips | ~2 meters (6.6 feet) | ~100–150 kilograms (220–330 pounds) | Herbivore (Tough ferns and cycads) | Alberta, Canada & Wyoming, USA | Scollard Formation | Barnum Brown (1914) | A primitive time-traveler. Despite living at the very end of the dinosaur age alongside Triceratops, it stubbornly kept a small, hornless, ancestral body plan. |
| Microceratus gobiensis | "Small horn from the Gobi" | Ornithischia, Marginocephalia, Ceratopia, Protoceratopidae | Late Cretaceous (~90 Million Years Ago) | ~25 centimeters (10 inches) | ~60 centimeters (2 feet) | ~5 kilograms (11 pounds) | Herbivore (Leaves, twigs) | Gobi Desert, Mongolia | Bayan Shireh Formation | Bohlin (1953) / Mateus (2008) | Originally named Microceratops until scientists realized that name belonged to a wasp. It was a tiny, lightning-fast runner that could easily walk on two legs. |
| Montanoceratops cerorhynchus | "Montana horned face, horn-nosed" | Ornithischia, Marginocephalia, Ceratopia, Leptoceratopidae | Late Cretaceous (~70 Million Years Ago) | ~1 meter (3.3 feet) at the hips | ~3 meters (9.8 feet) | ~170 kilograms (374 pounds) | Herbivore (Tough Cretaceous vegetation) | Montana, USA | Saint Mary River Formation | C. M. Sternberg (1951) | Noted for its incredibly deep, heavy jaw and a prominent bone bump on its snout that scientists long believed was a true, small nasal horn. |
| Protoceratops hellenikorhinus | "First horned face, Greek nose" | Ornithischia, Marginocephalia, Ceratopia, Protoceratopidae | Late Cretaceous (~72–71 Million Years Ago) | ~75 centimeters (2.5 feet) | ~2–2.5 meters (6.6–8.2 feet) | ~180 kilograms (400 pounds) | Herbivore (Tough desert plants, roots) | Inner Mongolia, China | Bayan Mandahu Formation | Lambert et al. (2001) | Significantly larger than its famous cousin P. andrewsi. This species developed a bizarre, double-crested ridge on its snout and a highly robust jaw. |
| Centrosaurus apertus | "Pointed lizard, open" | Ornithischia, Ceratopsidae, Centrosaurinae | Late Cretaceous (~76.5–75.5 Million Years Ago) | ~2 meters (6.6 feet) at the hips | ~5.5–6 meters (18–20 feet) | ~2,300 kilograms (2.5 tons) | Herbivore (Ferns, low-lying foliage) | Alberta, Canada | Dinosaur Park Formation | Lawrence Lambe (1904) | A herd-dwelling tank. It featured a single massive horn on its nose that curved forward, and two hook-like horns curving down over its short frill. |
| Chasmosaurus belli | "Opening lizard of Walter Bell" | Ornithischia, Ceratopsidae, Chasmosaurinae | Late Cretaceous (~76.5–75.5 Million Years Ago) | ~2 meters (6.6 feet) at the hips | ~4.8–5 meters (15.7–16.4 feet) | ~2,000 kilograms (2.2 tons) | Herbivore (Shrubs, tough ferns) | Alberta, Canada | Dinosaur Park Formation | Lawrence Lambe (1902) | A visual showoff. It carried a massive, rectangular frill filled with giant, skin-covered bone windows (fenestrae) meant strictly for display. |
| Lokiceratops rangiformis | "Loki's horned face shaped like a reindeer" | Ornithischia, Ceratopsidae, Centrosaurinae | Late Cretaceous (~78 Million Years Ago) | ~2.3 meters (7.5 feet) at the hips | ~6.7 meters (22 feet) | ~5,000 kilograms (5.5 tons) | Herbivore (Low-growing woody plants) | Montana, USA | Judith River Formation | Loewen et al. (2024) | A spectacular recent discovery. Named after the Norse god Loki because it lacks a nose horn but carries massive, curved, blade-like horns on the back of its frill. |
| Nasutoceratops titusi | "Large-nosed horned face of Alan Titus" | Ornithischia, Ceratopsidae, Chasmosaurinae | Late Cretaceous (~76 Million Years Ago) | ~2 meters (6.6 feet) at the hips | ~4.5–4.8 meters (15–15.7 feet) | ~1,500 kilograms (1.6 tons) | Herbivore (Soft ferns, ground plants) | Utah, USA | Kaiparowits Formation | Sampson et al. (2013) | Looks remarkably like a modern bull. It paired an unusually short, deep snout with long, forward-curving brow horns that look like cattle horns. |
| Pachyrhinosaurus lakustai | "Thick-nosed lizard of Al Lakusta" | Ornithischia, Ceratopsidae, Centrosaurinae | Late Cretaceous (~73.5 Million Years Ago) | ~2.5 meters (8.2 feet) at the hips | ~5–6 meters (16.4–20 feet) | ~3,000 kilograms (3.3 tons) | Herbivore (Tough, fibrous wood and ferns) | Alberta, Canada; Colorado, USA | Wapiti; Hell Creek Formation | Philip J. Currie et al. (2008) | Ditched the traditional horns. Instead of a spike, its nose carried a massive, rough bone pad (boss) used for brutal head-shoving matches. |
| Sinoceratops zhuchengensis | "Chinese horned face from Zhucheng" | Ornithischia, Ceratopsidae, Centrosaurinae | Late Cretaceous (~73 Million Years Ago) | ~2.6 meters (8.5 feet) at the hips | ~6–7 meters (20–23 feet) | ~2,000–2,300 kilograms (2.2–2.5 tons) | Herbivore (Shrubs, ground vegetation) | Shandong Province, China | Xingezhuang Formation | Xu Xing et al. (2010) | A critical puzzle piece. It is the first and only true large ceratopsid ever found outside of North America, proving they crossed into Asia. |
| Styracosaurus ovatus | "Spiked lizard, egg-shaped/oval" | Ornithischia, Ceratopsidae, Centrosaurinae | Late Cretaceous (~75.5 Million Years Ago) | ~2.3 meters (7.5 feet) at the hips | ~5.5 meters (18 feet) | ~2,500 kilograms (2.7 tons) | Herbivore (Palms, cycads, ferns) | Montana, USA | Two Medicine Formation | Charles W. Gilmore (1930) / McDonald (2010) | A terrifying punk rocker. Unlike S. albertensis whose frill spikes flared outwards, this rarer species had spikes that curved sharply inward toward each other. |
| Torosaurus latus | "Perforated lizard, wide" | Ornithischia, Ceratopsidae, Chasmosaurinae | Late Cretaceous (~68–66 Million Years Ago) | ~2.5 meters (8.2 feet) at the hips | ~7.5–9 meters (24.6–30 feet) | ~4,500–6,000 kilograms (5.0–6.6 tons) | Herbivore (Cycads, tough ferns) | Western North America (USA & Canada) | Hell Creek Formation | Othniel Charles Marsh (1891) | Holds the record for the largest skull of any land animal in history, stretching over 8.5 feet. It lived alongside Triceratops as a distinct titan. |
| Triceratops horridus | "Three-horned face, roughened/horrible" | Ornithischia, Ceratopsidae, Chasmosaurinae | Late Cretaceous (~68–66 Million Years Ago) | ~2.8–3 meters (9.2–10 feet) at the hips | ~8–9 meters (26–30 feet) | ~6,000–9,000 kilograms (6.6–10 tons) | Herbivore (Tough palms, cycads, fibers) | Western North America (USA & Canada) | Hell Creek Formation | Othniel Charles Marsh (1889) | The absolute ultimate ceratopsian. It carried a heavy, solid-bone frill with zero holes, making it a perfect shield against Tyrannosaurus rex. |
Suborder Thyreophora (Infraorder Stegosauria & Ancestors)
| Name | Meaning | Clade | Temporal Range | Height | Length | Mass | Diet | Location | Formation | Author / Description | Rick Robles's Comments |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chungkingosaurus jiangbeiensis | "Chongqing lizard from Jiangbei" | Ornithischia, Thyreophora, Stegosauria, Stegosauridae | Late Jurassic (~163–157 Million Years Ago) | ~1.2 meters (4 feet) at the hips | ~3–4 meters (10–13 feet) | ~1,000 kilograms (1.1 tons) | Herbivore (Low ferns and mosses) | Chongqing, China | Upper Shaximiao Formation | Dong, Zhou & Zhang (1983) | One of the smallest and most primitive stegosaurids. It featured a unique arrangement of narrow plates along its back and a tail armed with up to six imposing spikes. |
| Gigantspinosaurus sichuanensis | "Giant-spined lizard from Sichuan" | Ornithischia, Thyreophora, Stegosauria, Huayangosauridae | Late Jurassic (~163–157 Million Years Ago) | ~1.5 meters (5 feet) at the hips | ~4.2 meters (14 feet) | ~700 kilograms (1,540 pounds) | Herbivore (Ground vegetation) | Sichuan, China | Upper Shaximiao Formation | Ouyang Hui (1992) | True to its name, this dinosaur wore relatively small plates along its back but possessed a pair of absolutely massive, flat spikes flaring out from its shoulders. |
| Kentrosaurus aethiopicus | "Spiked lizard from Ethiopia" (referring to Africa) | Ornithischia, Thyreophora, Stegosauria, Stegosauridae | Late Jurassic (~152 Million Years Ago) | ~1.5 meters (5 feet) at the hips | ~4–4.5 meters (13–15 feet) | ~1,000–2,000 kilograms (1.1–2.2 tons) | Herbivore (Low-lying leafy vegetation) | Lindi Region, Tanzania | Tendaguru Formation | Edwin Hennig (1915) | Trade-off weapon design. While its front half carried traditional flat plates for temperature control, its rear half and tail erupted into a lethal array of long, defensive bone spikes. |
| Stegosaurus stenops | "Roof lizard, narrow-faced" | Ornithischia, Thyreophora, Stegosauria, Stegosauridae | Late Jurassic (~155–150 Million Years Ago) | ~2.8–5 meters (9.2–16.5 feet) total height | ~6.5–10.1 meters (21–33.1 feet) | ~3,500–5,000 kilograms (3.8–5.5 tons) | Herbivore (Ferns, cycads, horsetails) | Colorado, Utah & Wyoming, USA | Morrison Formation | Othniel Charles Marsh (1887) | The classic American icon. It carried a staggered double row of huge, kite-shaped plates along its arched back and a devastating four-spiked tail weapon colloquially known as a "thagomizer." |
| Tuojiangosaurus multispinus | "Tuo River lizard with many spikes" | Ornithischia, Thyreophora, Stegosauria, Stegosauridae | Late Jurassic (~163–157 Million Years Ago) | ~2 meters (6.6 feet) at the hips | ~6.5–7 meters (21–23 feet) | ~2,500–2,800 kilograms (2.7–3.1 tons) | Herbivore (Ferns and low shrubs) | Sichuan, China | Upper Shaximiao Formation | Dong et al. (1977) | Asia's most famously complete stegosaur. It looked very similar to Stegosaurus, but its back plates were much narrower, more cone-shaped, and sharply pointed. |
| Scelidosaurus harrisonii | "Limb lizard of James Harrison" | Ornithischia, Genasauria, Thyreophora, Scelidosauridae | Early Jurassic (~191 Million Years Ago) | ~1 meter (3.3 feet) at the hips | ~3.8–4 meters (12.5–13 feet) | ~270 kilograms (600 pounds) | Herbivore (Low Jurassic shrubs and ferns) | Dorset, England | Charmouth Mudstone Formation | Sir Richard Owen (1859) | The premier anatomical blueprint for armored dinosaurs. Walking on all fours, its body was entirely blanketed in horizontal rows of small, bony studs (osteoderms). |
Suborder Thyreophora (Infraorder Ankylosauria)
| Name | Meaning | Clade | Temporal Range | Height | Length | Mass | Diet | Location | Formation | Author / Description | Rick Robles's Comments |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Edmontonia rugosidens | "Edmonton town lizard, rough-toothed" | Ornithischia, Thyreophora, Ankylosauria, Nodosauridae | Late Cretaceous (~76–75 Million Years Ago) | ~1.6 meters (5.2 feet) at the hips | ~6 meters (20 feet) | ~2,300–3,000 kilograms (2.5–3.3 tons) | Herbivore (Low-lying ferns, fruits) | Alberta, Canada & Montana, USA | Dinosaur Park Formation | Charles M. Sternberg (1928) / Gilmore (1930) | A defensive specialist. Instead of a tail club, it relied on a pair of massive, forward-pointing shoulder spikes to ram and deter attacking tyrannosaurs. |
| Nodosaurus textilis | "Knobby lizard, woven-like" | Ornithischia, Thyreophora, Ankylosauria, Nodosauridae | Late Cretaceous (~100–95 Million Years Ago) | ~1.5 meters (5 feet) at the hips | ~4–6 meters (13–20 feet) | ~1,500 kilograms (1.6 tons) | Herbivore (Soft ground plants, shrubs) | Wyoming & Kansas, USA | Frontier Formation | Othniel Charles Marsh (1889) | The official namesake of the nodosaur family. Its back armor was a tightly woven mosaic of tiny, pebble-like bone plates arranged in neat bands. |
| Sauropelta edwardsorum | "Lizard shield of the Edwards family" | Ornithischia, Thyreophora, Ankylosauria, Nodosauridae | Early Cretaceous (~124–112 Million Years Ago) | ~1.4 meters (4.6 feet) at the hips | ~5.2 meters (17 feet) | ~1,500–2,000 kilograms (1.6–2.2 tons) | Herbivore (Tough cycads, conifers) | Montana, Wyoming & Utah, USA | Cloverly Formation | Barnum Brown (1914) / John Ostrom (1970) | One of the earliest true North American nodosaurs. It featured an extraordinarily long tail and massive, conical spikes flaring out from its neck. |
| Silvisaurus condrayi | "Forest lizard of Warren Condray" | Ornithischia, Thyreophora, Ankylosauria, Nodosauridae | Early Cretaceous (~100 Million Years Ago) | ~1 meter (3.3 feet) at the hips | ~4 meters (13 feet) | ~1,000 kilograms (1.1 tons) | Herbivore (Low ferns, soft foliage) | Kansas, USA | Dakota Formation | Theodore H. Eaton Jr. (1960) | Highly unique for a nodosaur. Unlike its more advanced, completely toothless relatives, it stubbornly kept primitive teeth at the very front of its beak. |
| Ankylosaurus magniventris | "Fused lizard with a great belly" | Ornithischia, Thyreophora, Ankylosauria, Ankylosauridae | Late Cretaceous (~68–66 Million Years Ago) | ~3.8 meters (12.5 feet) at the hips | ~6–11 meters (20–36 feet) | ~4,800–8,000 kilograms (5.3–8.8 tons) | Herbivore (Tough ferns, low brush) | Montana, USA & Alberta, Canada | Hell Creek Formation | Barnum Brown (1908) | The undisputed king of armor. Built like an indestructible living tank, it paired a heavily armored skull with a devastating, bone-snapping tail club. |
| Euoplocephalus tutus | "Well-armored head, safe" | Ornithischia, Thyreophora, Ankylosauria, Ankylosauridae | Late Cretaceous (~76.5–75.6 Million Years Ago) | ~1.5 meters (5 feet) at the hips | ~5.5–6 meters (18–20 feet) | ~2,000–2,500 kilograms (2.2–2.7 tons) | Herbivore (Ground cover, roots) | Alberta, Canada | Dinosaur Park Formation | Lawrence Lambe (1902) / 1910 | Incredibly well-fortified. It went as far as growing specialized, armored bony eyelids that could shut down over its eyes like metal shutters. |
| Minmi paravertebra | "From Minmi Crossing, with side-vertebra plates" | Ornithischia, Thyreophora, Ankylosauria, Basal Ankylosauridae | Early Cretaceous (~120–112 Million Years Ago) | ~1 meter (3.3 feet) at the hips | ~2.5–3 meters (8.2–10 feet) | ~200–300 kilograms (440–660 pounds) | Herbivore (Seeds, fibrous vascular plants) | Queensland, Australia | Bungil Formation | Ralph E. Molnar (1980) | A primitive southern marvel. It featured unique bone plates along its spine (paravertebrae) that protected its back muscles while keeping it agile. |
| Saichania chulsanensis | "Beautiful one from Chulsan" | Ornithischia, Thyreophora, Ankylosauria, Ankylosauridae | Late Cretaceous (~73 Million Years Ago) | ~1.5 meters (5 feet) at the hips | ~5.2–6 meters (17–20 feet) | ~2,000–2,400 kilograms (2.2–2.6 tons) | Herbivore (Arid desert shrubs) | Gobi Desert, Mongolia | Barun Goyot Formation | Teresa Maryańska (1977) | A desert survival expert. Its skull was packed with complex, winding air passages designed to moisten dry desert air and preserve bodily moisture. |
| Scolosaurus thronus | "Thorn lizard from the throne" | Ornithischia, Thyreophora, Ankylosauria, Ankylosauridae | Late Cretaceous (~76.5 Million Years Ago) | ~1.5 meters (5 feet) at the hips | ~5.6–6 meters (18–20 feet) | ~2,000 kilograms (2.2 tons) | Herbivore (Low shrubs, ground plants) | Alberta, Canada | Dinosaur Park Formation | Franz Nopcsa (1928) / Penkalski (2018) | Long mistaken for Euoplocephalus. It is distinct for its long, back-swept spikes on the corners of its head and highly prominent circular armor studs. |
Order Pterosauria (Mesozoic Flying Reptiles)
| Name | Meaning | Clade | Temporal Range | Height / Standing | Wingspan | Mass | Diet | Location | Formation | Author / Description | Rick Robles's Comments |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dimorphodon macronyx | "Two-form tooth, large claw" | Pterosauria, Dimorphodontidae | Early Jurassic (~195–190 Million Years Ago) | ~30 centimeters (1 foot) | ~1.4 meters (4.6 feet) | ~1.5–2 kilograms (3.3–4.4 pounds) | Carnivore (Insects, small mammals, lizards) | Dorset, England | Blue Lias Formation | Richard Owen (1859) | A primitive pterosaur with an unusually large, puffin-like skull packed with two distinct shapes of teeth. It was a clumsy flyer but an agile climber and ground scrapper. |
| Dorygnathus banthensis | "Spear jaw from Banz" | Pterosauria, Dimorphodontidae | Early Jurassic (~182–174 Million Years Ago) | ~20 centimeters (8 inches) | ~1.5 meters (5 feet) | ~1.5 kilograms (3.3 pounds) | Piscivore (Fish, marine invertebrates) | Bavaria, Germany | Posidonia Shale | Johann Andreas Wagner (1860) | Armed with long, scary, needle-like teeth that angled outward from its lower jaw, forming a perfect organic fish trap for snatching prey while skimming the waves. |
| Eudimorphodon ranzii | "True two-form tooth of Silvio Ranzi" | Pterosauria, Eudimorphodontidae | Late Triassic (~210 Million Years Ago) | ~15 centimeters (6 inches) | ~1 meter (3.3 feet) | ~100 grams (3.5 ounces) | Piscivore (Early fish, crustaceans) | Lombardy, Italy | Zorzino Limestone | Rocco Zambelli (1973) | One of the oldest known flying reptiles in the fossil record. It carried highly complex, multi-cusped teeth, and its stomach contents perfectly preserve prehistoric fish scales. |
| Anurognathus ammoni | "Without tail jaw of Ludwig von Ammon" | Pterosauria, Anurognathidae | Late Jurassic (~150 Million Years Ago) | ~5 centimeters (2 inches) | ~50 centimeters (20 inches) | ~40 grams (1.4 ounces) | Insectivore (Moths, flies, beetles) | Bavaria, Germany | Solnhofen Limestone | Ludwig Döderlein (1923) | A miniature aerial stuntman. It traded the traditional long pterosaur tail for a tiny stub and had giant, forward-facing eyes to hunt bugs in the dead of night. |
| Rhamphorhynchus etchesi | "Beak snout of Steve Etches" | Pterosauria, Rhamphorhynchidae | Late Jurassic (~150–148 Million Years Ago) | ~25 centimeters (10 inches) | ~1.2–1.7 meters (4–5.6 feet) | ~1–1.5 kilograms (2.2–3.3 pounds) | Piscivore (Fish and squid) | Dorset, England | Kimmeridge Clay Formation | O'Sullivan & Martill (2015) | A rare British species of the iconic genus. It holds elongated distal wing pieces and navigated open coastlines using a rigid, diamond-shaped tail vane as an aerial rudder. |
| Scaphognathus crassirostris | "Tub jaw, thick snout" | Pterosauria, Rhamphorhynchidae | Late Jurassic (~150 Million Years Ago) | ~30 centimeters (1 foot) | ~1 meter (3.3 feet) | ~1.2 kilograms (2.6 pounds) | Carnivore / Piscivore (Fish, small reptiles) | Bavaria, Germany | Solnhofen Limestone | August Goldfuss (1931) | Heavily nicknamed the "Mouth Pterosaur" for its short, stocky, and deep jaw. It was a diurnal (daytime) hunter that likely filled a falcon-like predatory niche. |
| Sordes pilosus | "Hairy filth/scum" | Pterosauria, Rhamphorhynchidae | Late Jurassic (~155 Million Years Ago) | ~15 centimeters (6 inches) | ~60 centimeters (2 feet) | ~200 grams (7 ounces) | Insectivore / Carnivore (Insects, small amphibians) | Karatau, Kazakhstan | Karabastau Formation | Aleksandr Grigorevich Sharov (1971) | A milestone for paleontology. Its beautifully preserved fossil reveals a thick, dense coat of fur-like hair (pycnofibres), proving pterosaurs were warm-blooded. |
| Caiuajara dobruskii | "Caiuá face of Alexandre & João Dobruski" | Pterodactyloidea, Tapejaridae | Late Cretaceous (~94–72 Million Years Ago) | ~70 centimeters (2.3 feet) | ~2.35 meters (7.7 feet) | ~6–8 kilograms (13–17 pounds) | Frugivore (Ancient fruits, seeds) | Paraná, Brazil | Goio-Erê Formation | Manzig et al. (2014) | Discovered in an unprecedented desert lake bonebed containing 47 individuals. Adults grew a spectacular, massive skull crest shaped exactly like a giant shark fin. |
| Cearadactylus atrox | "Ceará finger, savage" | Pterodactyloidea, Anhangueridae | Early Cretaceous (~112 Million Years Ago) | ~1 meter (3.3 feet) | ~4–5.5 meters (13–18 feet) | ~15 kilograms (33 pounds) | Piscivore (Fish) | Ceará, Brazil | Romualdo Formation | Leonardi & Borgomanero (1985) | Wielded an incredibly specialized, kinked snout that expanded at the tip into a rounded rosette of interlocking teeth, perfect for plucking slick fish from the ocean. |
| Geosternbergia sternbergi | "George Sternberg's mountain" | Pterodactyloidea, Pteranodontidae | Late Cretaceous (~88–85 Million Years Ago) | ~1.5 meters (5 feet) | ~6–7.2 meters (20–23.6 feet) | ~20–25 kilograms (44–55 pounds) | Piscivore (Pelagic ocean fish) | Kansas, USA | Niobrara Formation | George F. Sternberg (1952) / Chris Bennett (1994) | Highly distinct sexual dimorphism. While females were relatively small with tiny crests, the massive alpha males grew an enormous, vertical, bulbous head crest. |
| Pteranodon longiceps | "Winged toothless, long head" | Pterodactyloidea, Pteranodontidae | Late Cretaceous (~86–84 Million Years Ago) | ~1.8 meters (6 feet) | ~5.6–7 meters (18–23 feet) | ~20–35 kilograms (44–77 pounds) | Piscivore (Open-ocean fish, squid) | Kansas & Nebraska, USA | Niobrara Formation | Othniel Charles Marsh (1876) | The most famous pterosaur in history. It ditched teeth entirely for a sharp, pelican-like beak, counterbalanced by a long, sweeping bone crest trailing from its skull. |
| Quetzalcoatlus lawsoni | "Quetzalcoatl (Aztec feathered serpent god) of Douglas Lawson" | Pterodactyloidea, Azhdarchidae | Late Cretaceous (~68–66 Million Years Ago) | ~10.1 meters (33 feet) at the shoulders | ~4.5–25.5 meters (15–83.8 feet) | ~40–50,000 kilograms (88–110,000 pounds) | Carnivore (Small dinosaurs, mammals, carrion) | Texas, USA | Javelina Formation | Douglas Lawson (1975) / Brian Andres (2021) | The newly named, smaller sister species to the skyscraper-sized Q. northropi. It lived like a giant modern stork, stalking on land on all fours to swallow small prey whole. |
| Pterodaustro guinazui | "Southern wing of Roman Guinaçu" | Pterodactyloidea, Ctenochasmatidae, Pterodaustriidae | Early Cretaceous (~105 Million Years Ago) | ~40 centimeters (1.3 feet) | ~2.5 meters (8.2 feet) | ~2–3 kilograms (4.4–6.6 pounds) | Planktivore / Filter-feeder (Plankton, small shrimp) | San Luis Province, Argentina | Lagarcito Formation | José Bonaparte (1969) | The flamingo of the Mesozoic. Its upward-curving lower jaw was lined with over 1,000 bristle-like baleen teeth used to filter tiny shrimp and organisms out of shallow lagoons. |
Orders: Lamniformes, Arthrodira, Ichthyosauria, Plesiosauria, Squamata, and Pterosauria
| Name | Meaning | Clade | Temporal Range | Height / Standing | Length / Wingspan | Mass | Diet | Location | Formation | Author / Description | Rick Robles's Comments |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Otodus megalodon | "Giant tooth" | Chondrichthyes, Elasmobranchii, Lamniformes, Otodontidae | Miocene to Pliocene (~23–3.6 Million Years Ago) | ~1.5–2 meters (5–6.6 feet) tall dorsal fin | ~15–18 meters (49–59 feet) long | ~48,000–60,000 kilograms (53–66 tons) | Carnivore (Whales, dugongs, large sea turtles) | Worldwide oceans (Americas, Europe, Africa) | Bone Valley & Yorktown Formations | Louis Agassiz (1843) | The absolute ultimate marine super-predator. It wielded serrated, 7-inch teeth and a bite force capable of crushing ancient whales. |
| Dunkleosteus amblyodoratus | "David Dunkle's blunt-spear bone fish" | Placodermi, Arthrodira, Dunkleosteidae | Late Devonian (~360 Million Years Ago) | ~1.7 meters (12 feet) thick armor shielding | ~4–14 meters (13–45.5 feet) long | ~6,000 kilograms (6.1 tons) | Carnivore (Early sharks, armored fish, trilobites) | Ohio, USA & Ontario, Canada | Kettle Point Formation | Carr & Hlavin (2010) | Possessed no true teeth; instead, its skull plates formed self-sharpening, guillotine-like bone shears to chop up heavily armored prey. |
| Ichthyosaurus conybeari | "William Conybeare's fish lizard" | Reptilia, Ichthyosauromorpha, Ichthyosauria, Ichthyosauridae | Early Jurassic (~195 Million Years Ago) | ~40 centimeters (1.3 feet) high at dorsal fin | ~2–2.5 meters (6.6–8.2 feet) long | ~100 kilograms (220 pounds) | Piscivore (Fish, early squid, ammonites) | Dorset & Somerset, England | Blue Lias Formation | Richard Lydekker (1888) | A beautifully streamlined dolphin mimic. It swam using a powerful tail fluke and carried giant, light-sensitive eyes for deep diving. |
| Eurhinosaurus huenei | "Friedrich von Huene's well-nosed lizard" | Reptilia, Ichthyosauria, Leptonectidae | Early Jurassic (~182–174 Million Years Ago) | ~50 centimeters (1.6 feet) high at dorsal fin | ~6 meters (20 feet) long | ~1,000 kilograms (1.1 tons) | Piscivore / Carnivore (Squid, fish, smaller reptiles) | Baden-Württemberg, Germany | Posidonia Shale | Franz Nopcsa (1925) | The swordfish of the Jurassic. Its upper jaw was twice as long as its lower jaw and lined with teeth, which it slashed side-to-side to stun fish. |
| Ophthalmosaurus icenicus | "Eye lizard of the Iceni" | Reptilia, Ichthyosauria, Ophthalmosauridae | Middle to Late Jurassic (~165–160 Million Years Ago) | ~60 centimeters (2 feet) high at dorsal fin | ~4–5 meters (13–16.4 feet) long | ~900–1,000 kilograms (1.0–1.1 tons) | Piscivore (Deep-sea squid and fish) | England & France | Oxford Clay Formation | Harry Govier Seeley (1874) | Held the largest eyes relative to body size of any vertebrate animal, measuring up to 9 inches wide to see in the pitch-black deep ocean. |
| Elasmosaurus platyurus | "Flat-tailed plate lizard" | Reptilia, Sauropterygia, Plesiosauria, Elasmosauridae | Late Cretaceous (~80.5 Million Years Ago) | ~1.5 meters (5 feet) flipper span | ~10.3 meters (34 feet) long | ~2,000 kilograms (2.2 tons) | Piscivore (Schools of fish, small squid) | Kansas, USA | Pierre Shale Formation | Edward Drinker Cope (1868) | Composed mostly of neck. Its bizarre neck contained 72 individual bones, letting it sneak its head into fish schools without moving its body. |
| Plesiosaurus dolichodeirus | "Long-necked near-lizard" | Reptilia, Sauropterygia, Plesiosauria, Plesiosauridae | Early Jurassic (~199–191 Million Years Ago) | ~70 centimeters (2.3 feet) flat body height | ~3.5 meters (11.5 feet) long | ~450 kilograms (990 pounds) | Piscivore (Fish, belemnites) | Dorset, England | Blue Lias Formation | Mary Anning / Conybeare (1824) | The original fossil that inspired the myth of the Loch Ness Monster. Discovered by Mary Anning, it used four large flippers to "fly" through water. |
| Trinacromerum kirki | "William Kirk's three-tipped femur" | Reptilia, Plesiosauria, Pliosauroidea, Polycotylidae | Late Cretaceous (~93 Million Years Ago) | ~60 centimeters (2 feet) body height | ~3 meters (10 feet) long | ~200 kilograms (440 pounds) | Piscivore (Fast fish, squid) | Kansas, USA | Greenhorn Limestone | Charles H. Sternberg (1908) | A short-necked, seal-like polycotylid plesiosaur. It evolved an extremely narrow snout and a rigid torso built strictly for high-speed chasing. |
| Attenborosaurus conybeari | "David Attenborough's Conybeare lizard" | Reptilia, Sauropterygia, Plesiosauria, Pliosauridae | Early Jurassic (~195 Million Years Ago) | ~80 centimeters (2.6 feet) body height | ~5 meters (16.4 feet) long | ~1,000 kilograms (1.1 tons) | Piscivore / Carnivore (Fish, marine reptiles) | Dorset, England | Blue Lias Formation | Robert Bakker (1993) | Named after the legendary nature documentarian Sir David Attenborough. It represents a highly unique, primitive, long-necked pliosaur. |
| Kronosaurus queenslandicus | "Kronos (Titan king) lizard of Queensland" | Reptilia, Plesiosauria, Pliosauroidea, Pliosauridae | Early Cretaceous (~110–100 Million Years Ago) | ~2.5 meters (8.2 feet) total skull height | ~9–10.5 meters (30–34.4 feet) long | ~9,000–11,000 kilograms (10–12 tons) | Carnivore (Plesiosaurs, giant turtles, sharks) | Queensland, Australia | Toolebuc Formation | Heber Longman (1924) | A multi-ton, short-necked marine terror. Its massive skull was over 7 feet long and packed with thick, bone-crushing teeth the size of bananas. |
| Liopleurodon ferox | "Savage smooth-sided teeth" | Reptilia, Plesiosauria, Pliosauroidea, Pliosauridae | Middle to Late Jurassic (~162–155 Million Years Ago) | ~1.5 meters (5 feet) body height | ~5–7 meters (16.4–23 feet) long | ~1,500–3,000 kilograms (1.6–3.3 tons) | Carnivore (Ichthyosaurs, large fish, plesiosaurs) | England & France | Oxford Clay Formation | Henri Émile Sauvage (1873) | Pop culture heavily exaggerated its size up to 80 feet, but the real animal was still a terrifying, highly agile ambush hunter of the Jurassic seas. |
| Clidastes propython | "Locked vertebrae, before python" | Squamata, Mosasauroidea, Mosasauridae, Mosasaurinae | Late Cretaceous (~88–81 Million Years Ago) | ~40 centimeters (1.3 feet) body height | ~2–4 meters (6.6–13 feet) long | ~50–100 kilograms (110–220 pounds) | Piscivore / Carnivore (Fish, ammonites, small lizards) | Alabama & Kansas, USA | Mooreville Chalk | Edward Drinker Cope (1868) | One of the earliest and smallest true mosasaurs. Its highly flexible spine and slender body let it glide gracefully through coastal shallows. |
| Jormungandr walhallaensis | "Norse world serpent of Walhalla" | Squamata, Mosasauroidea, Mosasauridae, Mosasaurinae | Late Cretaceous (~80 Million Years Ago) | ~80 centimeters (2.6 feet) head height | ~7 meters (24 feet) long | ~900 kilograms (2,000 pounds) | Carnivore (Fish, sea turtles, diving birds) | North Dakota, USA | Pierre Shale Formation | Zietlow, Boyd & Van Vranken (2023) | A spectacular, highly distinct transitional fossil. It bridges the gap between primitive Clidastes and giant Mosasaurus, complete with "angry eyebrow" ridges. |
| Mosasaurus beaugei | "Meuse River lizard of Commandant Beaugé" | Squamata, Mosasauroidea, Mosasauridae, Mosasaurinae | Late Cretaceous (~70–66 Million Years Ago) | ~5 meters (16.4 feet) total body height | ~8–40 meters (26–130 feet) long | ~4,000–75,000 kilograms (4.4–75.5 tons) | Carnivore (Sharks, large fish, plesiosaurs) | Khouribga, Morocco | Ouled Abdoun Basin (Phosphates) | Camille Arambourg (1952) | A massive African mosasaur characterized by unique, multi-faceted prism-shaped teeth made to puncture armor and shred thick hides. |
| Megalania priscus | "Ancient giant roamer" | Squamata, Varanoidea, Varanidae | Pleistocene (~50,000 Years Ago) | ~1–1.2 meters (3.3–4 feet) standing height | ~5.5–7 meters (18–23 feet) long | ~320–600 kilograms (700–1,320 pounds) | Carnivore (Marsupial megafauna, giant birds) | Eastern Australia | Allingham Formation | Sir Richard Owen (1859) | The largest terrestrial lizard to ever walk the Earth. Essentially a monster-sized Komodo dragon, it used toxic venom and razor teeth to hunt ice age mammals. |
Orders: Pelycosauria, Therapsida, and Boreosphenida
| Name | Meaning | Clade | Temporal Range | Height / Standing | Length | Mass | Diet | Location | Formation | Author / Description | Rick Robles's Comments |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dimetrodon grandis | "Two measures of teeth, magnificent" | Synapsida, Eupelycosauria, Sphenacodontidae | Early Permian (~280–270 Million Years Ago) | ~1.5 meters (5 feet) tall at the sail | ~3.1–3.5 meters (10–11.5 feet) | ~250 kilograms (550 pounds) | Carnivore (Early amphibians, reptiles, freshwater fish) | Texas & Oklahoma, USA | Clear Fork Group | Edward Drinker Cope (1878) | Famously mistaken for a dinosaur in toy boxes. It is actually a mammal ancestor that used its massive spine-supported skin sail to warm its blood in the morning sun. |
| Lystrosaurus curvatus | "Shovel lizard, curved" | Therapsida, Anomodontia, Dicynodontia, Lystrosauridae | Late Permian to Early Triassic (~252–250 Million Years Ago) | ~30 centimeters (1 foot) at the shoulder | ~1 meter (3.3 feet) | ~90 kilograms (200 pounds) | Herbivore (Roots, ferns, tough ground flora) | South Africa, Antarctica, & India | Balfour Formation | Richard Owen (1859) / Broom (1932) | The ultimate survivor. When the Great Dying extinction wiped out 95% of life on Earth, this rugged burrower survived and grew to make up 75% of all land vertebrates. |
| Bulbasaurus phylloxyron | "Bulbous lizard, leaf cutter" | Therapsida, Anomodontia, Dicynodontia, Geikiidae | Late Permian (~256 Million Years Ago) | ~20 centimeters (8 inches) | ~40–50 centimeters (16–20 inches) | ~2–4 kilograms (4.4–8.8 pounds) | Herbivore (Tough Permian plants and tubers) | Eastern Cape, South Africa | Balfour Formation | Christian Kammerer (2017) | Named by scientists as a clever nod to the famous Pokémon Bulbasaur. It possessed a short, blunt skull with a sharp horn-like beak used to slice through tough wood. |
| Alphadon halley | "First tooth of Edmund Halley" | Mammalia, Metatheria, Boreosphenida, Alphadontidae | Late Cretaceous (~70 Million Years Ago) | ~5 centimeters (2 inches) | ~30 centimeters (12 inches) including tail | ~200 grams (7 ounces) | Omnivore / Insectivore (Insects, fruits, small lizards) | Alberta, Canada | Horseshoe Canyon Formation | George Gaylord Simpson (1927) / Sahni (1972) | A tiny furry shadow in the dark. This early marsupial relative climbed trees at night to avoid hunting raptors, chewing bugs with tiny, highly advanced teeth. |
Verison 2
Saurischia
Theropoda: Ceratosauria & Relatives Reference Chart
| Family / Genus & Species | Name Meaning / Etymology | Height / Length / Mass | Clade / Suborder | Temporal Range | Location & Formations | Key Anatomical & Ecological Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Family Podokesauridae | ||||||
| Coelophysis bauri | "Hollow form" (Cope, 1889) | H: ~1.2 m
L: ~3.0 m M: ~20–25 kg |
Theropoda;
Coelophysoidea |
Late Triassic
(~203–196 Ma) |
New Mexico, USA;
Chinle Formation |
Slender, agile predator; built with hollow, thin-walled bones and bladed, serrated teeth. |
| Megapnosaurus rhodesiensis | "Big dead lizard" (Ivie et al., 2001) | H: ~1.0 m
L: ~3.0 m M: ~30 kg |
Theropoda;
Coelophysoidea |
Early Jurassic
(~188–180 Ma) |
Zimbabwe, South Africa;
Forest Sandstone |
Formerly Syntarsus. Possessed fused ankle bones; likely an active pack hunter targeting early sauropodomorphs. |
| Podokesaurus holyokensis | "Swift-footed lizard" (Talbot, 1911) | H: ~0.4 m
L: ~1.0 m M: ~1–4 kg |
Theropoda;
Coelophysoidea |
Early Jurassic
(~190–185 Ma) |
Massachusetts, USA;
Portland Formation |
State dinosaur of Massachusetts. Tiny, lightweight, and exceptionally fast runner with hyper-elongated shin bones. |
| Procompsognathus triassicus | "Before elegant jaw" (Fraas, 1913) | H: ~0.3 m
L: ~1.0 m M: ~1 kg |
Theropoda;
Coelophysoidea |
Late Triassic
(~210 Ma) |
Germany;
Löwenstein Formation |
Small, delicate insectivore/small vertebrate hunter; historically confused with early crocodylomorphs. |
| Segisaurus halli | "Segi canyon lizard" (Camp, 1936) | H: ~0.5 m
L: ~1.0 m M: ~4–7 kg |
Theropoda;
Coelophysoidea |
Early Jurassic
(~185 Ma) |
Arizona, USA;
Navajo Sandstone |
Only specimen known is a subadult. Possessed unique solid bones (unusual for coelophysoids) and a bird-like wishbone (furcula). |
| Family Ceratosauridae | ||||||
| Ceratosaurus nasicornis | "Horned lizard" (Marsh, 1884) | H: ~2.0 m
L: ~5.5–6.0 m M: ~500–700 kg |
Theropoda;
Ceratosauria |
Late Jurassic
(~153–148 Ma) |
Utah/Colorado, USA;
Morrison Formation |
Characterized by a large nasal horn, small brow crests, osteoderms along its back, and exceptionally long, blade-like teeth. |
| Family Dilophosauridae | ||||||
| Dilophosaurus wetherilli | "Two-crested lizard" (Welles, 1954) | H: ~2.0 m
V: ~6.0–7.0 m M: ~400 kg |
Theropoda;
Dilophosauridae |
Early Jurassic
(~193 Ma) |
Arizona, USA;
Kayenta Formation |
Apex predator of its environment. Bore dual thin, parallel cranial crests and a loose, subnarial gap in the upper jaw. (No scientific evidence for venom or neck frills). |
| Family Noasauridae | ||||||
| Masiakasaurus knopfleri | "Vicious lizard" (Sampson et al., 2001) | H: ~0.6 m
L: ~2.0 m M: ~20 kg |
Theropoda;
Ceratosauria |
Late Cretaceous
(~70–66 Ma) |
Madagascar;
Maevarano Formation |
Famous for highly specialized procurved front teeth that jutted forward, likely used for snagging small fish, insects, or lizards. |
| Family Abelisauridae | ||||||
| Carnotaurus sastrei | "Meat-eating bull" (Bonaparte, 1985) | H: ~2.5 m
L: ~7.5–8.0 m M: ~1,300 kg |
Theropoda;
Ceratosauria |
Late Cretaceous
(~72–69 Ma) |
Chubut, Argentina;
La Colonia Formation |
Possessed deep bull-like brow horns, an exceptionally short, deep skull, highly vestigial (tiny) forelimbs, and powerful musculature for forward sprinting. |
| Majungasaurus crenatissimus | "Mahajanga lizard" (Lavocat, 1955) | H: ~2.0 m
L: ~6.0–7.0 m M: ~1,100 kg |
Theropoda;
Ceratosauria |
Late Cretaceous
(~70–66 Ma) |
Madagascar;
Maevarano Formation |
Stocky apex predator with highly reduced arms, a single dome-like horn on top of its skull, and extensive fossil evidence confirming active cannibalism. |
| Rajasaurus narmadensis | "Princely lizard from the Narmada" (Sereno et al., 2003) | H: ~2.4 m
L: ~7.6 m M: ~1,500 kg |
Theropoda;
Ceratosauria |
Late Cretaceous
(~67–66 Ma) |
Gujarat/MP, India;
Lameta Formation |
Heavily built carnivore characterized by a low, rounded single crest on its head formed from the nasal and frontal bones. Prey included titanosaurian sauropods. |
Theropoda: Carnosauria & Advanced Tetanurae Reference Chart
| Family / Genus & Species | Name Meaning / Etymology | Height / Length / Mass | Clade / Suborder | Temporal Range | Location & Formations | Key Anatomical & Ecological Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Family Megalosauridae | ||||||
| Eustreptospondylus oxoniensis | "True well-curved vertebra" (Walker, 1964) | H: ~1.5 m
L: ~4.6 m M: ~500 kg |
Megalosauria;
Megalosauroidea |
Middle Jurassic
(~163 Ma) |
Oxfordshire, England;
Oxford Clay Formation |
Known from a remarkably complete juvenile skeleton. Heavily built island coastal hunter that may have scavenged marine life. |
| Marshosaurus bicentesimus | "Marsh's lizard" (Madsen, 1976) | H: ~1.5 m
L: ~5.0 m M: ~200 kg |
Megalosauria;
Megalosauroidea |
Late Jurassic
(~155–150 Ma) |
Utah/Colorado, USA;
Morrison Formation |
Medium-sized predator that coexisted with giants like Allosaurus. Possessed long, powerful arms equipped with sharp claws. |
| Poekilopleuron bucklandii | "Varied ribs" (Eudes-Deslongchamps, 1838) | H: ~2.0 m
L: ~7.0 m M: ~1,000 kg |
Megalosauria;
Megalosauroidea |
Middle Jurassic
(~167 Ma) |
Normandy, France;
Calcaire de Caen |
One of the earliest discovered theropods. Possessed unusually powerful, flexible forelimbs used to grasp prey. |
| Torvosaurus gurneyi | "Savage lizard" (Hendrickx & Mateus, 2014) | H: ~3.0 m
L: ~10.0 m M: ~4,000–5,000 kg |
Megalosauria;
Megalosauroidea |
Late Jurassic
(~150 Ma) |
Portugal;
Lourinhã Formation |
Europe's largest land predator. Equipped with massive, blade-like teeth exceeding 10 cm and heavily muscled hindlimbs. |
| Family Spinosauridae | ||||||
| Baryonyx walkeri | "Heavy claw" (Charig & Milner, 1986) | H: ~2.5 m
L: ~7.5–9.3 m M: ~1,200–2,000 kg |
Megalosauria;
Spinosauroidea |
Early Cretaceous
(~125 Ma) |
Surrey, England;
Weald Clay Formation |
Specialized fish-eater with a crocodile-like snout, finely serrated teeth, and a massive 31 cm hook-like thumb claw. |
| Spinosaurus aegyptiacus | "Spine lizard" (Stromer, 1915) | H: ~3.5 m
L: ~14.0 m M: ~6,000–7,500 kg |
Megalosauria;
Spinosauroidea |
Late Cretaceous
(~99–93 Ma) |
Egypt/Morocco;
Kem Kem Group |
The longest known theropod. Semi-aquatic specialist with flat feet, dense bones, a paddle-like tail, and a huge 1.6 m sail. |
| Suchomimus tenerensis | "Crocodile mimic" (Sereno et al., 1998) | H: ~3.0 m
L: ~9.5–11.0 m M: ~3,000–4,000 kg |
Megalosauria;
Spinosauroidea |
Early Cretaceous
(~120–112 Ma) |
Niger;
Elrhaz Formation |
Piscivorous predator bearing a low ridge over its hips, a long snout with 122 teeth, and robust forelimbs. |
| Family Carcharodontosauridae | ||||||
| Acrocanthosaurus atokensis | "High-spined lizard" (Stovall & Langston, 1950) | H: ~4.0 m
L: ~11.5 m M: ~5,700–6,200 kg |
Carnosauria;
Allosauroidea |
Early Cretaceous
(~113–110 Ma) |
Oklahoma/Texas, USA;
Antlers Formation |
Apex predator bearing tall neural spines along its spine, likely supporting a powerful ridge of muscle used to hunt sauropods. |
| Carcharodontosaurus iguidensis | "Shark-toothed lizard" (Brusatte & Sereno, 2007) | H: ~4.0 m
L: ~12.0–12.5 m M: ~6,000–7,500 kg |
Carnosauria;
Allosauroidea |
Late Cretaceous
(~95 Ma) |
Niger;
Echkar Formation |
Gigantic apex predator characterized by a long, narrow skull containing exceptionally sharp, serrated, shark-like teeth. |
| Giganotosaurus carolinii | "Giant southern lizard" (Coria & Salgado, 1995) | H: ~4.2 m
L: ~12.5–13.0 m M: ~7,000–8,500 kg |
Carnosauria;
Allosauroidea |
Late Cretaceous
(~98–96 Ma) |
Neuquén, Argentina;
Candeleros Formation |
One of the largest known terrestrial carnivores. Possessed a skull measuring up to 1.8 m long but a relatively small braincase. |
| Family Allosauridae | ||||||
| Allosaurus europaeus | "Different lizard" (Mateus et al., 2006) | H: ~4.3 m
L: ~12.5 m M: ~6,000 kg |
Carnosauria;
Allosauroidea |
Late Jurassic
(~150 Ma) |
Portugal;
Lourinhã & New Mexico, Oklahoma, USA; Morrison Formation |
Closely related to A. fragilis. Features subtle differences in the skull architecture and bone structure of the snout. |
| Yangchuanosaurus zigongensis | "Yangchuan lizard" (Gao, 1993) | H: ~2.5 m
L: ~8.0 m M: ~1,300 kg |
Carnosauria;
Metriacanthosauridae |
Middle Jurassic
(~165 Ma) |
Sichuan, China;
Xiashaximiao Formation |
A primitive carnosaur bearing a line of bumpy ridges and a small hornlet along its snout. |
| Family Tyrannosauridae | ||||||
| Albertosaurus sarcophagus | "Alberta lizard" (Osborn, 1905) | H: ~2.8 m
L: ~8.5–9.0 m M: ~2,000–2,500 kg |
Carnosauria;
Albertosaurinae |
Late Cretaceous
(~71–68 Ma) |
Alberta, Canada;
Horseshoe Canyon Fm |
Slender, fast-running tyrannosaur. Extensive bonebed discoveries suggest it may have hunted in structured family packs. |
| Alioramus altai | "Different branch" (Brusatte et al., 2009) | H: ~1.8 m
L: ~5.5–6.0 m M: ~700 kg |
Carnosauria;
Tyrannosaurinae |
Late Cretaceous
(~70 Ma) |
Mongolia;
Nemegt Formation |
Noted for its long, low snout decorated with a row of five distinct bony crests along the top of the nasal bones. |
| Gorgosaurus libratus | "Fierce lizard" (Lambe, 1914) | H: ~2.8 m
L: ~8.5–9.0 m M: ~2,400 kg |
Carnosauria;
Albertosaurinae |
Late Cretaceous
(~76–75 Ma) |
Alberta, Canada;
Dinosaur Park Fm |
Sleek apex predator built for speed, possessing large legs, tiny two-fingered arms, and bone-crushing jaws. |
| Qianzhousaurus sinensis | "Qianzhou lizard" (Lü et al., 2014) | H: ~2.2 m
L: ~8.5–9.0 m M: ~750–1,000 kg |
Carnosauria;
Tyrannosaurinae |
Late Cretaceous
(~67 Ma) |
Jiangxi, China;
Nanxiong Formation |
Nicknamed "Pinocchio rex" due to its elongated, narrow snout. Specialized for fast-striking stealth over brute force. |
| Tarbosaurus bataar | "Alarming lizard" (Maleev, 1955) | H: ~3.3 m
L: ~10.0–11.5 m M: ~4,000–5,000 kg |
Carnosauria;
Tyrannosaurinae |
Late Cretaceous
(~70 Ma) |
Mongolia;
Nemegt Formation |
The Asian counterpart to T. rex. Possessed a rigid, lockable skull mechanism to handle heavy stress from struggling prey. |
| Tyrannosaurus rex | "Tyrant lizard king" (Osborn, 1905) | H: ~3.7–6.0 m
L: ~12.0–15.0 m M: ~8,000–9,500 kg |
Carnosauria;
Tyrannosaurinae |
Late Cretaceous
(~68–66 Ma) |
Western North America;
Hell Creek Formation |
Apex predator with the strongest estimated bite force of any terrestrial animal. Possessed exceptional binocular vision and hearing. |
Theropoda: Coelurosauria Reference Chart
| Family / Genus & Species | Name Meaning / Etymology | Height / Length / Mass | Clade / Suborder | Temporal Range | Location & Formations | Key Anatomical & Ecological Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Family Coeluridae | ||||||
| Coelurus fragilis | "Hollow tail" (Marsh, 1879) | H: ~0.7 m
L: ~2.4 m M: ~13–20 kg |
Coelurosauria | Late Jurassic
(~153–150 Ma) |
Wyoming/Utah, USA;
Morrison Formation |
Small, elongated predator. Possessed extremely thin-walled, hollow vertebrae and long legs built for agile pursuit. |
| Ornitholestes hermanni | "Bird robber" (Osborn, 1903) | H: ~0.8 m
L: ~2.0 m M: ~12–15 kg |
Coelurosauria | Late Jurassic
(~154 Ma) |
Wyoming/Utah, USA;
Morrison Formation |
Compact skull with strong jaws and gripping hands. Long incorrectly depicted with a nasal horn; likely hunted small vertebrates. |
| Family Tyrannosauroidea | ||||||
| Moros intrepidus | "Harbinger of doom" (Zanno et al., 2019) | H: ~1.2 m
L: ~2.5 m M: ~78 kg |
Coelurosauria;
Tyrannosauroidea |
Late Cretaceous
(~96 Ma) |
Utah, USA;
Cedar Mountain Fm |
Tiny, cursorial basal tyrannosauroid. Its discovery filled a massive 70-million-year gap in North American tyrannosaur evolution. |
| Nanotyrannus lethaeus | "Dwarf tyrant" (Bakker et al., 1988) | H: ~2.0 m
L: ~5.0–5.5 m M: ~400–600 kg |
Coelurosauria;
Tyrannosauroidea |
Late Cretaceous
(~68–66 Ma) |
Montana, USA;
Hell Creek Formation |
Highly controversial taxon; most paleontologists consider it a juvenile Tyrannosaurus rex, though some argue its blade-like teeth suggest a distinct genus. |
| Family Megaraptoridae | ||||||
| Megaraptor namunhuaiquii | "Huge robber" (Novas, 1998) | H: ~2.6 m
L: ~8.0–9.0 m M: ~1,000 kg |
Coelurosauria;
Megaraptora |
Late Cretaceous
(~90 Ma) |
Neuquén, Argentina;
Portezuelo Formation |
Highly specialized predator. Bore massive, sickle-shaped hand claws up to 35 cm long on its elongated, powerful forelimbs. |
| Family Compsognathidae | ||||||
| Compsognathus longipes | "Elegant jaw" (Wagner, 1959) | H: ~0.3 m
L: ~1.0 m M: ~0.6–3.5 kg |
Coelurosauria;
Compsognathidae |
Late Jurassic
(~150 Ma) |
Germany/France;
Solnhofen Limestone |
Small, micro-predator famously preserved with a fossilized lizard (Bavarisaurus) inside its stomach cavity. |
| Family Proceratosauridae | ||||||
| Proceratosaurus bradleyi | "Before Ceratosaurus" (von Huene, 1926) | H: ~1.0 m
L: ~3.0 m M: ~40 kg |
Coelurosauria;
Tyrannosauroidea |
Middle Jurassic
(~166 Ma) |
Gloucestershire, England;
Great Oolite Group |
One of the earliest known ancestral tyrannosauroids. Possessed a prominent, hollow bony crest along its upper jaw snout. |
| Yutyrannus huali | "Feathered tyrant" (Xu et al., 2012) | H: ~3.0 m
L: ~9.0 m M: ~1,400 kg |
Coelurosauria;
Tyrannosauroidea |
Early Cretaceous
(~125 Ma) |
Liaoning, China;
Yixian Formation |
The largest dinosaur known with direct fossil evidence of feathers (filamentous proto-feathers), likely an adaptation to a chilly climate. |
| Family Ornithomimidae | ||||||
| Archaeornithomimus asiaticus | "Ancient bird mimic" (Russell, 1972) | H: ~1.1 m
L: ~3.3 m M: ~50–90 kg |
Coelurosauria;
Ornithomimosauria |
Late Cretaceous
(~96–70 Ma) |
Inner Mongolia, China;
Iren Dabasu Formation |
A primitive ostrich-dinosaur. Omnivorous/herbivorous with straight hand claws and cursorial hind legs built for high speeds. |
| Dromiceiomimus samueli | "Emu mimic" (Parks, 1926) | H: ~1.5 m
L: ~3.5 m M: ~100–150 kg |
Coelurosauria;
Ornithomimosauria |
Late Cretaceous
(~73 Ma) |
Alberta, Canada;
Horseshoe Canyon Fm |
Distinguished by exceptionally long, slender limbs and huge eye sockets. Often synonymized with Ornithomimus. |
| Gallimimus bullatus | "Rooster mimic" (Osmólska et al., 1972) | H: ~2.0 m
L: ~6.0 m M: ~450 kg |
Coelurosauria;
Ornithomimosauria |
Late Cretaceous
(~70 Ma) |
Mongolia;
Nemegt Formation |
The largest of the classic ornithomimids. Toothless, beak-bearing selective feeder capable of reaching speeds up to 50 km/h. |
| Harpymimus okladnikovi | "Harpy mimic" (Barsbold & Perle, 1984) | H: ~1.0 m
L: ~3.0 m M: ~50 kg |
Coelurosauria;
Ornithomimosauria |
Early Cretaceous
(~110 Ma) |
Dundgovi, Mongolia;
Shinekhudag Formation |
Basal ornithomimosaur. Uniquely retained 11 tiny, cylindrical teeth at the front of its lower jaw before the lineage went fully toothless. |
| Ornithomimus velox | "Bird mimic" (Marsh, 1890) | H: ~1.5 m
L: ~3.8 m M: ~170 kg |
Coelurosauria;
Ornithomimosauria |
Late Cretaceous
(~68–66 Ma) |
Western North America;
Denver/Hell Creek Fm |
Highly advanced runner. Fossil specimens preserve pennaceous wing-like feathers on the forelimbs, used likely for display. |
| Struthiomimus altus | "Ostrich mimic" (Lambe, 1902) | H: ~1.4 m
L: ~4.3 m M: ~150 kg |
Coelurosauria;
Ornithomimosauria |
Late Cretaceous
(~76–75 Ma) |
Alberta, Canada;
Dinosaur Park Fm |
Abundant herbivore/omnivore with a rigid tail for balance and highly elongated, three-clawed hands used to pull down branches. |
| Family Deinocheiridae | ||||||
| Deinocheirus mirificus | "Unusual horrible hand" (Osmólska & Roniewicz, 1970) | H: ~6.0 m
L: ~16.0 m M: ~6,400 kg |
Coelurosauria;
Ornithomimosauria |
Late Cretaceous
(~70 Ma) |
Mongolia;
Nemegt Formation |
A bizarre, giant ornithomimosaur with a sail-like hump on its back, a duck-like beak, a pygostyle (fused tail vertebrae), and massive 2.4 m long arms. |
Theropoda: Maniraptoriformes & Pennaraptora (Deinonychosauria & Relatives) Reference Chart
| Family / Genus & Species | Name Meaning / Etymology | Height / Length / Mass | Clade / Suborder | Temporal Range | Location & Formations | Key Anatomical & Ecological Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Family Oviraptoridae | ||||||
| Caudipteryx dongi | "Tail feather" (Ji et al., 1998) | H: ~0.5 m
L: ~1.0 m M: ~2–3 kg |
Oviraptorosauria | Early Cretaceous
(~124.6 Ma) |
Liaoning, China;
Yixian Formation |
Basal oviraptorosaur. Famously preserved with a prominent fan of pennaceous feathers on its tail and arms, and gastroliths for grinding plants. |
| Chirostenotes pergracilis | "Narrow hand" (Gilmore, 1924) | H: ~1.0 m
L: ~2.5 m M: ~40 kg |
Oviraptorosauria;
Caenagnathidae |
Late Cretaceous
(~76.5 Ma) |
Alberta, Canada;
Dinosaur Park Fm |
Highly elongated, slender three-fingered hands, a toothless beak, and long spindly legs. Likely an omnivore or small vertebrate hunter. |
| Conchoraptor gracilis | "Conch robber" (Barsbold, 1986) | H: ~0.6 m
L: ~1.2 m M: ~10–12 kg |
Oviraptorosauria | Late Cretaceous
(~70 Ma) |
Mongolia;
Nemegt Formation |
Small oviraptorid lacking a cranial crest. Possessed an extremely powerful, crushing toothless beak heavily optimized for hard-shelled food or seeds. |
| Oviraptor philoceratops | "Egg robber" (Osborn, 1924) | H: ~0.8 m
L: ~1.6 m M: ~33–40 kg |
Oviraptorosauria | Late Cretaceous
(~75 Ma) |
Mongolia;
Djadokhta Formation |
Misnamed after being found near a nest; later discoveries proved it was brooding its own eggs. Possessed a tall, crest-like skull structure. |
| Family Saurornithoididae | ||||||
| Troodon formosus | "Wounding tooth" (Leidy, 1856) | H: ~1.0 m
L: ~2.4 m M: ~50 kg |
Troodontidae | Late Cretaceous
(~77 Ma) |
Montana, USA;
Judith River Formation |
A potentially dubious taxon now often split into Stenonychosaurus. Possessed large, forward-facing eyes, an uncommonly large braincase, and serrated teeth. |
| Family Therizinosauridae | ||||||
| Erlikosaurus andrewsi | "Erlik's lizard" (Perle, 1980) | H: ~1.5 m
L: ~3.4 m M: ~150–200 kg |
Therizinosauria | Late Cretaceous
(~90 Ma) |
Mongolia;
Bayan Shireh Fm |
Crucial taxon because its exceptionally preserved skull confirmed therizinosaurians were herbivorous, featuring a toothless horn-sheathed beak. |
| Segnosaurus galbinensis | "Slow lizard" (Perle, 1979) | H: ~2.2 m
L: ~6.0–7.0 m M: ~1,300 kg |
Therizinosauria | Late Cretaceous
(~90 Ma) |
Mongolia;
Bayan Shireh Fm |
Large, stocky bipedal herbivore built with a wide pelvis, a massive gut tract for plant digestion, and unusual down-turned tip on the lower jaw. |
| Therizinosaurus cheloniformis | "Scythe lizard" (Maleev, 1954) | H: ~4.0–5.0 m
L: ~9.0–10.0 m M: ~5,000 kg |
Therizinosauria | Late Cretaceous
(~70 Ma) |
Mongolia;
Nemegt Formation |
Giant herbivorous theropod. Possessed the largest claws of any animal in Earth's history—gigantic, blade-like scythes measuring up to 1 meter in length. |
| Family Dromaeosauridae | ||||||
| Atrociraptor marshalli | "Savage robber" (Currie & Varricchio, 2004) | H: ~0.6 m
L: ~2.0 m M: ~15 kg |
Dromaeosauridae | Late Cretaceous
(~68.5 Ma) |
Alberta, Canada;
Horseshoe Canyon Fm |
Distinguished by a short, deep snout and strongly angled teeth. Jaw mechanics suggest a stronger bite force than typical slender raptors. |
| Bambiraptor feinbergi | "Bambi robber" (Burnham et al., 2000) | H: ~0.3 m
L: ~0.9 m M: ~2 kg |
Dromaeosauridae | Late Cretaceous
(~72 Ma) |
Montana, USA;
Two Medicine Fm |
Known from a stunningly complete juvenile specimen. Features highly bird-like morphology and opposable thumbs capable of gripping small prey. |
| Deinonychus antirrhopus | "Counter-balancing terrible claw" (Ostrom, 1969) | H: ~1.0 m
L: ~3.4 m M: ~73–100 kg |
Dromaeosauridae | Early Cretaceous
(~115–108 Ma) |
Montana/Wyoming, USA;
Cloverly Formation |
The foundational dinosaur that launched the "Dinosaur Renaissance." Showcased rigid tail rods and a devastating 12 cm sickle foot claw. |
| Hesperonychus elizabethae | "Western claw" (Longrich & Currie, 2009) | H: ~0.2 m
L: ~1.0 m M: ~1.9 kg |
Dromaeosauridae;
Microraptoria |
Late Cretaceous
(~76.5 Ma) |
Alberta, Canada;
Dinosaur Park Fm |
One of the smallest known carnivorous dinosaurs from North America. A running, tree-climbing relative of the four-winged Microraptor. |
| Pyroraptor olympius | "Olympic fire robber" (Allain & Taquet, 2000) | H: ~0.6 m
L: ~1.6 m M: ~30 kg |
Dromaeosauridae | Late Cretaceous
(~70 Ma) |
Var, France;
Argiles et Grès à Reptiles |
Discovered after a forest fire. Relied on standard dromaeosaurid hunting mechanics within the unique island ecosystems of prehistoric Europe. |
| Saurornitholestes sullivani | "Lizard-bird robber" (Sues, 1978) | H: ~0.6 m
L: ~1.8 m M: ~10–13 kg |
Dromaeosauridae | Late Cretaceous
(~73 Ma) |
New Mexico, USA;
Kirtland Formation |
Highly agile pack hunter with long legs, big olfactory bulbs giving it a hyper-acute sense of smell, and curved teeth optimized for meat-shearing. |
| Utahraptor ostrommaysi | "Utah robber" (Kirkland et al., 1993) | H: ~2.0 m
L: ~5.5–6.0 m M: ~500–600 kg |
Dromaeosauridae | Early Cretaceous
(~125 Ma) |
Utah, USA;
Cedar Mountain Fm |
The largest known dromaeosaurid. A heavily built, muscular ambush killer bearing massive, thick sickle claws up to 24 cm long. |
| Velociraptor osmolskae | "Swift robber" (Godefroit et al., 2008) | H: ~0.5 m
L: ~1.8–2.0 m M: ~15 kg |
Dromaeosauridae | Late Cretaceous
(~75 Ma) |
Inner Mongolia, China;
Wulansuhai Formation |
Close relative of V. mongoliensis. Identified by distinct bone structural nuances in its long, low, upturned snout and maxilla. |
| Family Archaeopterygidae | ||||||
| Archaeopteryx albersdoerferi | "Ancient wing" (Kundrát et al., 2019) | H: ~0.2 m
L: ~0.5 m M: ~0.5–1.0 kg |
Avialae | Late Jurassic
(~150 Ma) |
Bavaria, Germany;
Solnhofen Limestone |
Represents the landmark "Daiting specimen." Showcases advanced evolutionary skeletal features closer to modern birds than standard specimens. |
| Family Alexornithidae | ||||||
| Alexornis antecedens | "Alex's bird" (Brodkorb, 1976) | H: ~0.1 m
L: ~0.2 m M: ~0.1 kg |
Avialae;
Enantiornithes |
Late Cretaceous
(~73 Ma) |
Baja California, Mexico;
El Gallo Formation |
An early "opposite bird." Highly specialized flyer that shared properties with modern land birds, escaping terrestrial predators through true flight. |
Sauropodomorpha: Basal Sauropodomorphs ("Prosauropods") Reference Chart
| Family / Genus & Species | Name Meaning / Etymology | Height / Length / Mass | Clade / Suborder | Temporal Range | Location & Formations | Key Anatomical & Ecological Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Family Herrerasauridae | ||||||
| Herrerasaurus ischigualastensis | "Herrera's lizard" (Reig, 1963) | H: ~1.5 m
L: ~3.0–6.0 m M: ~200–350 kg |
Basal Saurischia /
Sauropodomorpha |
Late Triassic
(~231.4 Ma) |
San Juan, Argentina;
Ischigualasto Formation |
One of the earliest true dinosaurs. An agile, bipedal hyper-carnivore with a flexible lower jaw and sharp, recurved teeth. |
| Staurikosaurus pricei | "Southern Cross lizard" (Colbert, 1970) | H: ~0.8 m
L: ~2.2 m M: ~30 kg |
Basal Saurischia /
Sauropodomorpha |
Late Triassic
(~233.2 Ma) |
Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil;
Santa Maria Formation |
Primitive, lightweight terrestrial predator. Built for speed with an elongated tail and fully bipedal stance to chase small prey. |
| Family Anchisauridae | ||||||
| Anchisaurus polyzelus | "Close lizard" (Marsh, 1885) | H: ~0.6 m
L: ~2.0 m M: ~20–30 kg |
Sauropodomorpha | Early Jurassic
(~195–190 Ma) |
Connecticut, USA;
Portland Formation |
Slender, bird-like herbivore or omnivore. Capable of switching between bipedal running and quadrupedal browsing; possessed small thumb claws. |
| Efraasia minor | "Efraas's lizard" (Galton, 1973) | H: ~0.7 m
L: ~2.4 m M: ~20–35 kg |
Sauropodomorpha | Late Triassic
(~210 Ma) |
Baden-Württemberg, Germany;
Löwenstein Formation |
Basal, gracile sauropodomorph. Retained a fully bipedal locomotion style, featuring elongated fingers and a skull specialized for plant material. |
| Smurfette smurfiness | "Smurfette's smurfiness" | H: ~0.15 m
L: ~0.3 m M: ~0.5 kg |
Sauropodomorpha | Late Triassic
(~215 Ma) |
Creative Media Taxonomy;
Smurf Village Variant |
Pop-culture insertion featured in recent CGI media variations. Not an officially recognized scientific fossil taxon. |
| Thecodontosaurus antiquus | "Socket-toothed ancient lizard" (Morris, 1843) | H: ~0.4 m
L: ~1.2 m M: ~11 kg |
Sauropodomorpha | Late Triassic
(~205 Ma) |
Bristol, England;
Magnesian Conglomerate |
Exceptionally small, primitive island-dwelling herbivore. Bore spoon-shaped, serrated teeth tucked into distinct sockets. |
| Family Plateosauridae | ||||||
| Coloradisaurus brevis | "Los Colorados lizard" (Bonaparte, 1978) | H: ~1.2 m
L: ~4.0 m M: ~200–300 kg |
Sauropodomorpha | Late Triassic
(~215 Ma) |
La Rioja, Argentina;
Los Colorados Formation |
Heavily built plateosaurid known from an exceptionally complete, short-snouted skull. Fully herbivorous with robust chewing mechanics. |
| Massospondylus kaalae | "Elongated vertebra" (Owen, 1854) | H: ~1.5 m
L: ~4.0–6.0 m M: ~1,000 kg |
Sauropodomorpha | Early Jurassic
(~200–183 Ma) |
South Africa;
Elliot Formation |
Iconic taxon famously found with massive fossil egg clutches. Hatchlings were born quadrupedal but grew into obligate bipeds. |
| Plateosaurus gracilis | "Broad lizard" (von Meyer, 1837) | H: ~2.0–2.5 m
L: ~4.8–10.0 m M: ~600–4,000 kg |
Sauropodomorpha | Late Triassic
(~214–204 Ma) |
Central Europe;
Trossingen Formation |
Extensive bonebed finds reveal high developmental flexibility (individuals stopped growing at wildly different sizes). Strictly bipedal browser. |
| Family Melanorosauridae | ||||||
| Lufengosaurus magnus | "Lufeng lizard" (Young, 1941) | H: ~2.2 m
L: ~6.0 m M: ~1,700 kg |
Sauropodomorpha | Early Jurassic
(~195 Ma) |
Yunnan, China;
Lufeng Formation |
First dinosaur skeleton fully assembled and mounted in China. Possessed highly robust, muscular forelimbs and sharp claws. |
| Riojasaurus incertus | "La Rioja lizard" (Bonaparte, 1969) | H: ~3.0 m
L: ~10.0 m M: ~3,000 kg |
Sauropodomorpha | Late Triassic
(~215–210 Ma) |
La Rioja, Argentina;
Los Colorados Formation |
A massive, early sauropodomorph that had abandoned bipedalism entirely. Possessed dense, heavy limb bones built strictly for quadrupedal walking. |
Sauropodomorpha: Infraorder Sauropoda Reference Chart
| Family / Genus & Species | Name Meaning / Etymology | Height / Length / Mass | Clade / Suborder | Temporal Range | Location & Formations | Key Anatomical & Ecological Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Family Cetiosauridae | ||||||
| Barapasaurus tagorei | "Big-legged lizard" (Jain et al., 1975) | H: ~3.5 m
L: ~12.0–14.0 m M: ~7,000 kg |
Sauropoda;
Gravisauria |
Early Jurassic
(~183–174 Ma) |
Telangana, India;
Kota Formation |
One of the earliest known true sauropods. Possessed slender, hollowed-out limb bones and spoon-shaped teeth for coarse browsing. |
| Jobaria tiguidensis | "Jobar's lizard" (Sereno et al., 1999) | H: ~4.5 m
L: ~16.0–18.0 m M: ~16,000 kg |
Sauropoda;
Eusauropoda |
Middle Jurassic
(~164–161 Ma) |
Agadez, Niger;
Tiourarén Formation |
Remarkably primitive for its time. Lacked the highly complex, hollowed-out air vertebrae of later sauropods; may have reared on hind legs. |
| Patagosaurus fariasi | "Patagonian lizard" (Bonaparte, 1979) | H: ~3.8 m
L: ~15.0–18.0 m M: ~8,000–10,000 kg |
Sauropoda;
Eusauropoda |
Middle Jurassic
(~165 Ma) |
Chubut, Argentina;
Cañadón Asfalto Fm |
Similar to Cetiosaurus. Known from multiple skeletons spanning different growth stages, suggesting early social herd behavior. |
| Family Brachiosauridae | ||||||
| Brachiosaurus altithorax | "Arm lizard" (Riggs, 1903) | H: ~12.0–14.0 m
L: ~24.0 m M: ~35,000–56,000 kg |
Sauropoda;
Macronaria |
Late Jurassic
(~154–150 Ma) |
Colorado/Utah, USA;
Morrison Formation |
Famous for high-browsing posture driven by forelimbs longer than hindlimbs. Possessed an extremely deep chest cavity and spoon-like teeth. |
| Europasaurus holgeri | "Europe's lizard" (Sander et al., 2006) | H: ~1.8 m
L: ~6.2 m M: ~800–1,000 kg |
Sauropoda;
Macronaria |
Late Jurassic
(~154 Ma) |
Lower Saxony, Germany;
Süntel Formation |
A landmark example of insular dwarfism. Evolved to a fraction of typical brachiosaur sizes due to restricted resources on a Mesozoic island. |
| Giraffatitan brancai | "Giraffe titan" (Janensch, 1914) | H: ~13.0 m
L: ~22.0–23.0 m M: ~30,000–40,000 kg |
Sauropoda;
Macronaria |
Late Jurassic
(~150 Ma) |
Lindi, Tanzania;
Tendaguru Formation |
Long treated as Brachiosaurus brancai. Features a prominent, highly elevated nasal arch on its skull and a more gracile skeletal frame. |
| Sauroposeidon proteles | "Lizard earthquake god" (Wedel et al., 2000) | H: ~16.5–18.0 m
L: ~28.0–34.0 m M: ~40,000–60,000 kg |
Sauropoda;
Macronaria |
Early Cretaceous
(~112 Ma) |
Oklahoma/Texas, USA;
Antlers Formation |
One of the tallest known dinosaurs. Possessed hyper-elongated neck vertebrae up to 1.4 m long, lightened by an intricate internal honeycomb structure. |
| Family Camarasauridae | ||||||
| Camarasaurus supremus | "Chambered lizard" (Cope, 1877) | H: ~8.0 m
L: ~15.0–18.0 m M: ~15,000–20,000 kg |
Sauropoda;
Macronaria |
Late Jurassic
(~155–148 Ma) |
Colorado/Utah, USA;
Morrison Formation |
The most common sauropod of the Morrison ecosystem. Characterized by a blunt, boxy skull and massive, thick chisel-like teeth. |
| Euhelopus zdanskyi | "True marsh foot" (Wiman, 1929) | H: ~3.0 m
L: ~11.0–15.0 m M: ~3,500–5,000 kg |
Sauropoda;
Somphospondyli |
Early Cretaceous
(~129–113 Ma) |
Shandong, China;
Mengyin Formation |
Distinguished by an unusually long neck and short trunk for a macronarian. Teeth were robust, asymmetrical, and deeply rooted. |
| Opisthocoelicaudia skarzynskii | "Rear-cavity tail" (Borsuk-Białynicka, 1977) | H: ~2.5 m
L: ~11.4 m M: ~8,500–10,000 kg |
Sauropoda;
Titanosauria |
Late Cretaceous
(~70 Ma) |
Gobi Desert, Mongolia;
Nemegt Formation |
Discovered completely lacking a neck and head. Features unique tail vertebrae that interlocked firmly, allowing the tail to act as a supportive tripod. |
| Family Diplodocidae | ||||||
| Antarctosaurus giganteus | "Southern lizard" (von Huene, 1929) | H: ~13.0 m
L: ~30.0 m M: ~35,000–50,000 kg |
Sauropoda;
Titanosauria |
Late Cretaceous
(~83–80 Ma) |
Neuquén, Argentina;
Plottier Formation |
Cladistically a titanosaurean, though historically listed broadly. Known for massive femurs exceeding 2.3 meters and a very wide, square jawline. |
| Apatosaurus ajax | "Deceptive lizard" (Marsh, 1877) | H: ~6.5 m
L: ~21.0–27.0 m M: ~20,000–30,000 kg |
Sauropoda;
Diplodocoidea |
Late Jurassic
(~152–151 Ma) |
Wyoming/Colorado, USA;
Morrison Formation |
A immensely robust, stocky diplodocid with an exceptionally thick, deep neck structure and low-slung, powerful hindlimbs. |
| Barosaurus lentus | "Heavy lizard" (Marsh, 1890) | H: ~12.0 m
L: ~25.0–37.0 m M: ~12,000–20,000 kg |
Sauropoda;
Diplodocoidea |
Late Jurassic
(~152–150 Ma) |
South Dakota/Utah, USA;
Morrison Formation |
Closely related to Diplodocus but bore a significantly more elongated neck balanced by a shorter, lighter tail. |
| Diplodocus hallorum | "Double beam" (Gillette, 1991) | H: ~6.5 m
L: ~30.0–33.0 m M: ~13,000–16,000 kg |
Sauropoda;
Diplodocoidea |
Late Jurassic
(~154–152 Ma) |
New Mexico, USA;
Morrison Formation |
Formerly Seismosaurus. Excessively long and slender build, featuring a whip-like tail tip and narrow, pencil-like teeth limited to the front of the jaw. |
| Mamenchisaurus sinocanadorum | "Mamenchi lizard" (Young, 1954) | H: ~17.5 m
L: ~26.0–35.0 m M: ~25,000–60,000 kg |
Sauropoda;
Mamenchisauridae |
Late Jurassic
(~160–150 Ma) |
Xinjiang, China;
Shishugou Formation |
Holds the record for the longest neck of any known animal—extending up to 15 meters, stabilized by long, overlapping cervical ribs. |
| Notocolossus gonzalezparejasi | "Southern colossus" (González Riga et al., 2016) | H: ~15.5 m
L: ~25.0–28.0 m M: ~40,000–60,000 kg |
Sauropoda;
Titanosauria |
Late Cretaceous
(~86 Ma) |
Mendoza, Argentina;
Plottier Formation |
An enormous lithostrotian titanosaur. Preserved a highly specialized, compact hind foot architecture designed to sustain extreme weights. |
| Supersaurus vivianae | "Super lizard" (Jensen, 1985) | H: ~21.0 m
L: ~35.0–50.0 m M: ~32,000–40,000 kg |
Sauropoda;
Diplodocoidea |
Late Jurassic
(~153–148 Ma) |
Colorado/Wyoming, USA;
Morrison Formation |
Contender for the longest dinosaur known from decent fossil remains. Built with incredibly long, highly hollowed neck and back elements. |
| Family Titanosauridae | ||||||
| Argentinosaurus huinculensis | "Argentine lizard" (Bonaparte & Coria, 1993) | H: ~17.3 m
L: ~30.0–42.0 m M: ~70,000–90,000 kg |
Sauropoda;
Titanosauria |
Late Cretaceous
(~96–94 Ma) |
Neuquén, Argentina;
Huincul Formation |
Widely recognized as the heaviest land animal ever discovered. Back vertebrae measured 1.6 m tall, requiring complex internal bony bracing. |
| Dreadnoughtus schrani | "Fears nothing" (Lacovara et al., 2014) | H: ~16.0 m
L: ~26.0 m M: ~31,000–38,000 kg |
Sauropoda;
Titanosauria |
Late Cretaceous
(~77 Ma) |
Santa Cruz, Argentina;
Cerro Fortaleza Fm |
Celebrated for providing the most complete skeleton ever found for a truly giant titanosaur, showing a heavily muscled, weaponized tail. |
| Patagotitan mayorum | "Patagonian titan" (Carballido et al., 2017) | H: ~14.5 m
L: ~37.0 m M: ~62,000–70,000 kg |
Sauropoda;
Titanosauria |
Late Cretaceous
(~101 Ma) |
Chubut, Argentina;
Cerro Barcino Fm |
Known from multiple well-preserved specimens. Rivaled Argentinosaurus in length, representing the apex of early Late Cretaceous gigantism. |
| Saltasaurus loricatus | "Lizard from Salta" (Bonaparte & Powell, 1980) | H: ~2.0 m
L: ~8.5 m M: ~2,500–3,500 kg |
Sauropoda;
Titanosauria |
Late Cretaceous
(~70–66 Ma) |
Salta, Argentina;
Lecho Formation |
Revolutionary taxon that proved some sauropods had armor. Its skin was heavily embedded with small bony osteoderms and large spiked plates. |
Ornithischia
Cerapoda: Ornithopoda & Basal Neornithischia Reference Chart
| Family / Genus & Species | Name Meaning / Etymology | Height / Length / Mass | Clade / Suborder | Temporal Range | Location & Formations | Key Anatomical & Ecological Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Family Fabrosauridae | ||||||
| Gongbusaurus wucaiwanensis | "Gongbu lizard" (Dong, 1989) | H: ~0.4 m
L: ~1.3–1.5 m M: ~10–15 kg |
Ornithischia;
Neornithischia |
Late Jurassic
(~161–157 Ma) |
Xinjiang, China;
Shishugou Formation |
Small, agile bipedal herbivore. Known primarily from teeth and jaw fragments; possessed highly distinct, ridged crowns tailored for slicing flora. |
| Lesothosaurus diagnosticus | "Lizard from Lesotho" (Galton, 1978) | H: ~0.4 m
L: ~2.0 m M: ~10 kg |
Ornithischia;
Basal Neornithischia |
Early Jurassic
(~201–199 Ma) |
Lesotho, South Africa;
Elliot Formation |
Standard basal ornithischian blueprint. Extremely slender running legs, large eyes, and a small beak used to browse desert scrub. |
| Scutellosaurus lawleri | "Little-shielded lizard" (Colbert, 1981) | H: ~0.5 m
L: ~1.2 m M: ~3–5 kg |
Thyreophora;
Basal Armored |
Early Jurassic
(~196 Ma) |
Arizona, USA;
Kayenta Formation |
Though historically associated with fabrosaurids due to its small size, it is a basal thyreophoran bearing hundreds of tiny, protective osteoderms on its back. |
| Tuck Cornelius Carbunkle | "Carbunkle's Tuck" | H: ~0.25 m
L: ~0.5 m M: ~2 kg |
Ornithischia | Late Jurassic
(~150 Ma) |
Creative Media Taxonomy;
Fictional Insert |
An unscientific pop-culture entry or character reference; not a recognized fossil taxon in formal paleontology. |
| Family Heterodontosauridae | ||||||
| Echinodon becklesii | "Prickly tooth" (Owen, 1861) | H: ~0.2 m
L: ~0.6 m M: ~0.5–1 kg |
Heterodontosauridae | Early Cretaceous
(~140 Ma) |
Dorset, England;
Lulworth Formation |
One of the last surviving heterodontosaurids. A tiny omnivore featuring distinctive, spiked dermal skull textures and true canine-like tusks. |
| Heterodontosaurus tucki | "Different-toothed lizard" (Crompton & Charig, 1962) | H: ~0.4 m
L: ~1.2–1.8 m M: ~3–10 kg |
Heterodontosauridae | Early Jurassic
(~200–190 Ma) |
South Africa;
Elliot Formation |
Famous for possessing three distinct types of teeth: front incisors for cropping, prominent sharp tusks, and flat cheek teeth for grinding. |
| Family Hypsilophodontidae | ||||||
| Callovosaurus leedsi | "Callovian lizard" (Galton, 1980) | H: ~0.8 m
L: ~2.5 m M: ~30–40 kg |
Ornithopoda;
Dryomorpha |
Middle Jurassic
(~165 Ma) |
England;
Oxford Clay Formation |
One of the earliest known iguanodontians (dryosaurids). Evolved complex, specialized jaw wiring to efficiently slice tough lakeside vegetation. |
| Dryosaurus elderae | "Oak lizard" (Carpenter & Galton, 2018) | H: ~1.0 m
L: ~2.5–3.0 m M: ~80–90 kg |
Ornithopoda;
Dryosauridae |
Late Jurassic
(~155–150 Ma) |
Utah/Colorado, USA;
Morrison Formation |
Cursorial browser characterized by a toothless beak, a long rigid tail for balancing during high-speed turns, and a lack of true cheek teeth ridges. |
| Hypsilophodon foxii | "High-crested tooth" (Huxley, 1869) | H: ~0.6 m
L: ~1.8 m M: ~20 kg |
Ornithopoda;
Hypsilophodontidae |
Early Cretaceous
(~125 Ma) |
Isle of Wight, England;
Wessex Formation |
Highly agile, fast-running browser. Erroneously depicted as a tree-climber in early science; its feet were built strictly for terrestrial sprinting. |
| Iani smithi | "Janus (Two-Faced)" (Zanno, 2023) | H: ~1.2 m
L: ~3.0 m M: ~100 kg |
Ornithopoda;
Rhabdodontomorpha |
Late Cretaceous
(~99 Ma) |
Utah, USA;
Cedar Mountain Fm |
Recently discovered transitional rhabdodontomorph. Unlocked clues on how mid-Cretaceous climate crises altered herbivore fauna populations. |
| Leaellynasaura amicagraphica | "Leaellyn's lizard" (Rich & Vickers-Rich, 1989) | H: ~0.3 m
L: ~0.9–2.0 m M: ~3–10 kg |
Ornithischia;
Basal Elasmaria |
Early Cretaceous
(~118–110 Ma) |
Victoria, Australia;
Eumeralla Formation |
Polar dinosaur equipped with hyper-enlarged optic lobes and massive eyes to see in total dark winter, plus an exceptionally long tail. |
| Qantassaurus intrepidus | "Qantas lizard" (Rich & Vickers-Rich, 1999) | H: ~0.4 m
L: ~1.8 m M: ~12–15 kg |
Ornithischia;
Basal Elasmaria |
Early Cretaceous
(~115 Ma) |
Victoria, Australia;
Wonthaggi Formation |
Named after Qantas airline. A polar survivor that possessed a short, deep jaw containing highly robust teeth to chew frozen winter scrub. |
| Parksosaurus warreni | "Parks's lizard" (Sternberg, 1937) | H: ~1.0 m
L: ~2.5 m M: ~40–50 kg |
Ornithopoda;
Thescelosauridae |
Late Cretaceous
(~70 Ma) |
Alberta, Canada;
Horseshoe Canyon Fm |
Compact, heavily built sub-hadrosaurid browser that relied on camouflage and rapid undergrowth lunges to evade massive tyrannosaurs. |
| Tenontosaurus dossi | "Sinew lizard" (Winkler et al., 1997) | H: ~2.0 m
L: ~6.0–7.0 m M: ~600–1,000 kg |
Ornithopoda;
Iguanodontia |
Early Cretaceous
(~115 Ma) |
Texas, USA;
Twin Mountains Fm |
Large, long-tailed transitional iguanodontian. This specific species retains a primitive trait by keeping small teeth in its premaxilla bone. |
| Thescelosaurus garbanii | "Wonderful lizard" (Morris, 1976) | H: ~1.2 m
L: ~3.5–4.0 m M: ~200–300 kg |
Ornithopoda;
Thescelosauridae |
Late Cretaceous
(~68–66 Ma) |
Montana, USA;
Hell Creek Formation |
Stocky, unusually heavy bipedal herbivore that coexisted alongside T. rex. Possessed robust limbs and may have been a facultative burrower. |
| Valdosaurus canaliculatus | "Wealden lizard" (Galton, 1975) | H: ~1.0 m
L: ~3.0 m M: ~60–80 kg |
Ornithopoda;
Dryosauridae |
Early Cretaceous
(~140–125 Ma) |
Isle of Wight, England;
Wessex Formation |
Dryosaurid built with exceptionally sleek thigh bone structures. A dedicated cursorial sprinter that shared ecosystems with early spinosaurs. |
Cerapoda: Advanced Ornithopoda (Iguanodontia & Hadrosauridae) Reference Chart
| Family / Genus & Species | Name Meaning / Etymology | Height / Length / Mass | Clade / Suborder | Temporal Range | Location & Formations | Key Anatomical & Ecological Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Family Iguanodontidae | ||||||
| Camptosaurus dispar | "Flexible lizard" (Marsh, 1879) | H: ~2.0 m
L: ~6.0 m M: ~800 kg |
Ankylopollexia;
Camptosauridae |
Late Jurassic
(~156–150 Ma) |
Wyoming/Utah, USA;
Morrison Formation |
Heavily built facultative biped with hoof-like claws on its hind feet. Possessed a robust beak and dense rows of chewing teeth. |
| Hippodraco scutodens | "Horse dragon" (McDonald et al., 2010) | H: ~1.5 m
L: ~4.5 m M: ~400 kg |
Styracosterna;
Iguanodontia |
Early Cretaceous
(~124 Ma) |
Utah, USA;
Cedar Mountain Fm |
Basal iguanodontian known from a relatively complete skull and skeleton, revealing a long, low, horse-like head profile. |
| Iguanodon bernissartensis | "Iguana tooth" (Boulenger, 1881) | H: ~3.0 m
L: ~9.0–10.0 m M: ~4,000–5,000 kg |
Styracosterna;
Iguanodontidae |
Early Cretaceous
(~126–122 Ma) |
Bernissart, Belgium;
Sainte-Barbe Clays |
Iconic dinosaur featuring a specialized conical thumb spike for defense, a prehensile pinky finger, and hoof-like middle digits. |
| Muttaburrasaurus langdoni | "Muttaburra lizard" (Bartholomai & Molnar, 1981) | H: ~2.5 m
L: ~7.0–8.0 m M: ~2,800 kg |
Iguanodontia;
Rhabdodontomorpha |
Early Cretaceous
(~105–103 Ma) |
Queensland, Australia;
Mackunda Formation |
Features a massive, hollow, inflated nasal bulb on its snout, likely utilized for producing loud vocalizations or display. |
| Ouranosaurus nigeriensis | "Brave lizard" (Taquet, 1976) | H: ~3.0 m
L: ~7.0–8.3 m M: ~2,200 kg |
Styracosterna;
Hadrosauroidea |
Early Cretaceous
(~112 Ma) |
Agadez, Niger;
Elrhaz Formation |
Remarkable for its exceptionally tall neural spines, which supported either a high sail or a fatty hump for thermoregulation. |
| Family Hadrosauridae | ||||||
| Charonosaurus jiayinensis | "Charon's lizard" (Godefroit et al., 2000) | H: ~4.0 m
L: ~10.0 m M: ~5,000 kg |
Hadrosauridae;
Lambeosaurinae |
Late Cretaceous
(~66 Ma) |
Heilongjiang, China;
Yuliangze Formation |
Giant crest-bearing duckbill very closely related to Parasaurolophus. Survived up to the very edge of the K-Pg extinction event. |
| Corythosaurus casuarius | "Helmet lizard" (Brown, 1914) | H: ~3.2 m
L: ~8.0–9.0 m M: ~3,000–4,000 kg |
Hadrosauridae;
Lambeosaurinae |
Late Cretaceous
(~77–75 Ma) |
Alberta, Canada;
Dinosaur Park & Wyoming, USA; Lance Fm |
Possessed a tall, rounded, hollow cranial crest shaped like a Corinthian helmet. Crest acted as an acoustic resonance chamber. |
| Edmontosaurus regalis | "Edmonton lizard" (Lambe, 1917) | H: ~3.5–4.0 m
L: ~12.0–13.0 m M: ~4,000–7,000 kg |
Hadrosauridae;
Saurolophinae |
Late Cretaceous
(~73 Ma) |
Alberta, Canada;
Horseshoe Canyon & Wyoming, USA; Lance Fm |
Massive, flat-headed duckbill. Mummified fossils reveal it possessed a fleshy, rooster-like comb on its head and specialized hoof mittens. |
| Gryposaurus latidens | "Hook-nosed lizard" (Horner, 1992) | H: ~3.0 m
L: ~8.0–9.0 m M: ~3,000 kg |
Hadrosauridae;
Saurolophinae |
Late Cretaceous
(~79 Ma) |
Montana, USA;
Two Medicine Fm |
Flat-headed hadrosaur recognized by a prominent, hump-like nasal arch on its snout and thousands of grinding battery teeth. |
| Hypacrosaurus stebingeri | "Near the highest lizard" (Horner & Currie, 1994) | H: ~3.5 m
L: ~8.0–9.0 m M: ~4,000 kg |
Hadrosauridae;
Lambeosaurinae |
Late Cretaceous
(~75 Ma) |
Montana, USA;
Two Medicine Fm |
Bearing a high, rounded, helmet-like crest and tall neural spines along its back. Fossil nests reveal excellent evidence of parental care. |
| Kritosaurus navajovius | "Separated lizard" (Brown, 1910) | H: ~3.2 m
L: ~9.0 m M: ~3,500–4,000 kg |
Hadrosauridae;
Saurolophinae |
Late Cretaceous
(~73 Ma) |
New Mexico, USA;
Kirtland Formation |
Rare, large duckbill identified by a distinctively hooked bony ridge between the eyes and nostrils; shared ecosystems with Pentaceratops. |
| Lambeosaurus magnicristatus | "Lambe's lizard" (Sternberg, 1935) | H: ~3.5 m
L: ~9.0–9.5 m M: ~4,000–4,500 kg |
Hadrosauridae;
Lambeosaurinae |
Late Cretaceous
(~75 Ma) |
Alberta, Canada;
Dinosaur Park Fm |
Possessed a bizarre, forward-directed hatchet crest with a large backward prong, heavily exaggerated in mature adult males. |
| Maiasaura peeblesorum | "Good mother lizard" (Horner & Makela, 1979) | H: ~2.5 m
L: ~9.0 m M: ~3,000–4,000 kg |
Hadrosauridae;
Saurolophinae |
Late Cretaceous
(~76 Ma) |
Montana, USA;
Two Medicine Fm |
Famous for massive nesting colonies. Confirmed that hadrosaurs cared for their altricial, helpless young inside structured dirt nests. |
| Olorotitan arharensis | "Gigantic swan" (Godefroit et al., 2003) | H: ~4.0 m
L: ~11.0 m M: ~4,500 kg |
Hadrosauridae;
Lambeosaurinae |
Late Cretaceous
(~66 Ma) |
Amur Region, Russia;
Udurchukan Formation |
Noted for its remarkably long, swan-like neck containing 18 vertebrae, topped with a massive, backward-pointing, fan-shaped crest. |
| Parasaurolophus walkeri | "Near crested lizard" (Parks, 1922) | H: ~3.8 m
L: ~9.5–10.0 m M: ~2,500–3,500 kg |
Hadrosauridae;
Lambeosaurinae |
Late Cretaceous
(~76–75 Ma) |
Alberta, Canada;
Dinosaur Park Fm |
Celebrated for its giant, backward-curving tubular crest measuring up to 1.8 meters. Crest acted as a low-frequency foghorn. |
| Saurolophus osborni | "Lizard crest" (Brown, 1912) | H: ~3.3 m
L: ~9.8 m M: ~3,000–4,000 kg |
Hadrosauridae;
Saurolophinae |
Late Cretaceous
(~70 Ma) |
Alberta, Canada;
Horseshoe Canyon Fm |
Features a solid, spike-like cranial crest pointing upward and backward. Sclerotic rings indicate a fully diurnal active lifestyle. |
| Shantungosaurus giganteus | "Shandong lizard" (Hu, 1973) | H: ~5.5–6.0 m
L: ~15.0–16.6 m M: ~15,000–20,000 kg |
Hadrosauridae;
Saurolophinae |
Late Cretaceous
(~73 Ma) |
Shandong, China;
Wangshi Group |
The largest known non-sauropod dinosaur in history. An immense, deep-bodied animal that easily rivaled many sauropods in sheer mass. |
| Tsintaosaurus spinorhinus | "Qingdao lizard" (Young, 1958) | H: ~3.5 m
L: ~10.0 m M: ~4,000 kg |
Hadrosauridae;
Lambeosaurinae |
Late Cretaceous
(~73 Ma) |
Shandong, China;
Wangshi Group |
Long reconstructed erroneously with a unicorn-like forehead horn; updated skulls prove it bore a hollow, forward-flaring, petalled crest. |
Cerapoda: Marginocephalia (Pachycephalosauridae & Psittacosauridae) Reference Chart
| Family / Genus & Species | Name Meaning / Etymology | Height / Length / Mass | Clade / Suborder | Temporal Range | Location & Formations | Key Anatomical & Ecological Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Family Pachycephalosauridae | ||||||
| Alaskacephale gangloffi | "Alaska head" (Fiorillo & Gangloff, 2005) | H: ~1.0 m
L: ~2.5–3.0 m M: ~40 kg |
Marginocephalia;
Pachycephalosauria |
Late Cretaceous
(~70 Ma) |
Alaska, USA;
Prince Creek Formation |
Adaptable polar pachycephalosaur. Possessed a thick, fully coalesced skull dome to endure freezing Mesozoic winter nights and intraspecific head-butting. |
| Dracorex hogwartsia | "Dragon king of Hogwarts" (Bakker et al., 2006) | H: ~1.2 m
L: ~3.0 m M: ~45 kg |
Marginocephalia;
Pachycephalosauria |
Late Cretaceous
(~68–66 Ma) |
South Dakota, USA;
Hell Creek Formation |
Named in honor of the Harry Potter series. Features a flat skull entirely covered in spikes and nodes; widely accepted to be a juvenile growth stage of Pachycephalosaurus. |
| Goyocephale lattimorei | "Elegant head" (Perle et al., 1982) | H: ~0.6 m
L: ~2.0 m M: ~10–12 kg |
Marginocephalia;
Pachycephalosauria |
Late Cretaceous
(~76 Ma) |
Gobi Desert, Mongolia;
Djadokhta Formation |
Primitive flat-headed pachycephalosaur. Retained prominent canine-like teeth and a highly robust, wide hip configuration to absorb shoving impacts. |
| Homalocephale calathocercos | "Even head" (Maryańska & Osmólska, 1974) | H: ~0.6 m
L: ~1.8 m M: ~10 kg |
Marginocephalia;
Pachycephalosauria |
Late Cretaceous
(~70 Ma) |
Mongolia;
Nemegt Formation |
Characterized by a completely flat, non-domed skull roof decorated with small pits and bumps. Possessed an unusually broad, open pelvis. |
| Pachycephalosaurus wyomingensis | "Thick-headed lizard" (Brown & Schlaikjer, 1943) | H: ~1.8 m
L: ~4.5 m M: ~450 kg |
Marginocephalia;
Pachycephalosauria |
Late Cretaceous
(~68–66 Ma) |
Western North America;
Hell Creek Formation |
The largest known pachycephalosaur. Possessed an enormously solid, solid bone skull dome up to 25 cm thick used for combative head-to-head flank-butting. |
| Prenocephale prenes | "Sloping head" (Maryańska & Osmólska, 1974) | H: ~0.8 m
L: ~2.4 m M: ~130 kg |
Marginocephalia;
Pachycephalosauria |
Late Cretaceous
(~70 Ma) |
Mongolia;
Nemegt Formation |
Possessed a tall, completely smooth rounded dome with a small row of spike-like bony knobs flanking the base of its occiput skull bone. |
| Sinocephale bexelli | "Chinese head" (Evans et al., 2021) | H: ~1.0 m
L: ~2.5–3.0 m M: ~50 kg |
Marginocephalia;
Pachycephalosauria |
Late Cretaceous
(~92 Ma) |
Inner Mongolia, China;
Ulansuhai Formation |
Formerly known as Troodon bexelli. Represents a crucial transitional Asian lineage with an intermediate, low, flat-to-slightly-domed head profile. |
| Stygimoloch spinifer | "Styx demon" (Galton & Sues, 1983) | H: ~1.5 m
L: ~3.0 m M: ~80 kg |
Marginocephalia;
Pachycephalosauria |
Late Cretaceous
(~68–66 Ma) |
Montana/Wyoming, USA;
Hell Creek Formation |
Strikingly adorned with massive, elongated horns jutting out from the back of its low dome; currently categorized as a sub-adult growth stage of Pachycephalosaurus. |
| Wannanosaurus yansiensis | "Wannan lizard" (Hou, 1977) | H: ~0.2 m
L: ~0.6 m M: ~0.5–1 kg |
Marginocephalia;
Pachycephalosauria |
Late Cretaceous
(~70 Ma) |
Anhui, China;
Xiaoyan Formation |
One of the smallest non-avian dinosaurs ever found. A primitive flat-headed variety that survived directly alongside advanced giant Cretaceous fauna. |
| Family Psittacosauridae | ||||||
| Psittacosaurus meileyingensis | "Parrot lizard" (Sereno et al., 1988) | H: ~0.5 m
L: ~1.1 m M: ~20 kg |
Marginocephalia;
Psittacosauridae |
Early Cretaceous
(~125–121 Ma) |
Liaoning, China;
Jiufotang Formation |
Basal ceratopsian branching. Possessed a heavy, deep parrot-like beak, unique flared cheek horns, and quill-like bristles along its lower tail. |
Cerapoda: Advanced Ceratopia (Protoceratopidae & Ceratopsidae) Reference Chart
| Family / Genus & Species | Name Meaning / Etymology | Height / Length / Mass | Clade / Suborder | Temporal Range | Location & Formations | Key Anatomical & Ecological Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Family Protoceratopidae | ||||||
| Auroraceratops rugosus | "Dawn horned face" (You et al., 2005) | H: ~0.5 m
L: ~1.2–2.0 m M: ~15.5 kg |
Coronosauria;
Basal Ceratopia |
Early Cretaceous
(~113 Ma) |
Gansu, China;
Xinminbao Group |
A short, deep-skulled basal neoceratopsian bearing unique rugose, bumpy textures on its facial bones and a small, narrow frill. |
| Bagaceratops rozhdestvenskyi | "Small horned face" (Maryańska & Osmólska, 1975) | H: ~0.5 m
L: ~1.0 m M: ~22 kg |
Neoceratopsia;
Bagaceratopsidae |
Late Cretaceous
(~75–72 Ma) |
Mongolia;
Barun Goyot Formation |
Small, highly primitive herbivore possessing a short beak, a low nasal ridge instead of a true horn, and a reduced, collar-like frill. |
| Leptoceratops gracilis | "Slender horned face" (Brown, 1914) | H: ~0.8 m
L: ~2.0 m M: ~100–150 kg |
Neoceratopsia;
Leptoceratopsidae |
Late Cretaceous
(~68–66 Ma) |
Alberta, Canada;
Scollard Formation |
Fully toothless beak but retained complex chewing teeth inside its jaws. Resisted evolution by keeping a tiny frill and no facial horns up to the K-Pg boundary. |
| Microceratus gobiensis | "Small horned" (Schlaikjer, 1953) | H: ~0.25 m
L: ~0.6 m M: ~2 kg |
Neoceratopsia;
Basal Ceratopia |
Late Cretaceous
(~85 Ma) |
Gobi Desert, Mongolia;
Bayan Shireh Fm |
Formerly Microceratops. A tiny, highly agile bipedal browser that relied on sheer speed and camouflage to navigate vast desert lake terrains. |
| Montanoceratops cerorhynchus | "Montana horned face" (Sternberg, 1951) | H: ~1.0 m
L: ~2.5–3.0 m M: ~150–200 kg |
Neoceratopsia;
Leptoceratopsidae |
Late Cretaceous
(~70 Ma) |
Montana, USA;
St. Mary River Fm |
Possessed unusually deep jaws, a small nasal horn core, and tall, robust tail vertebrae spines that suggest a deep, paddle-like tail profile. |
| Protoceratops hellenikorhinus | "First horned face" (Lambert et al., 2001) | H: ~0.7 m
L: ~1.8–2.0 m M: ~180 kg |
Coronosauria;
Protoceratopidae |
Late Cretaceous
(~75–71 Ma) |
Inner Mongolia, China;
Bayan Mandahu Fm |
Larger than P. andrewsi. Distinguished by two prominent, parallel low ridges along its snout and a significantly broader, heavier skull frill architecture. |
| Zuniceratops christopheri | "Zuni horned face" (Wolfe & Kirkland, 1998) | H: ~1.0 m
L: ~3.0–3.5 m M: ~150–175 kg |
Ceratopsia;
Non-Ceratopidae |
Late Cretaceous
(~91 Ma) |
New Mexico, USA;
Moreno Hill Formation |
A critical transitional fossil. Represents the earliest known neoceratopsian in North America to develop true, elongated brow horns. |
| Family Ceratopidae | ||||||
| Avaceratops lammersi | "Ava's horned face" (Dodson, 1986) | H: ~1.2 m
L: ~2.3–4.2 m M: ~1,000 kg |
Ceratopsidae;
Centrosaurinae |
Late Cretaceous
(~77 Ma) |
Montana, USA;
Judith River Formation |
A small, primitive centrosaurine known from a subadult specimen. Features a smooth, scalloped frill completely lacking large spikes. |
| Centrosaurus apertus | "Pointed lizard" (Lambe, 1904) | H: ~2.0 m
L: ~5.5–6.0 m M: ~2,300 kg |
Ceratopsidae;
Centrosaurinae |
Late Cretaceous
(~76–75 Ma) |
Alberta, Canada;
Dinosaur Park Fm |
Characterized by a single massive, forward-curving nasal horn and two hooked, finger-like bony projections curving over the top of its frill window. |
| Chasmosaurus belli | "Opening lizard" (Lambe, 1914) | H: ~2.0 m
L: ~4.8–5.0 m M: ~2,000 kg |
Ceratopsidae;
Chasmosaurinae |
Late Cretaceous
(~76–75 Ma) |
Alberta, Canada;
Dinosaur Park Fm |
Archetypal chasmosaurine bearing short facial horns paired with an immensely elongated, rectangular frill containing giant open skin windows. |
| Diabloceratops eatoni | "Devil horned face" (Kirkland et al., 2010) | H: ~2.0 m
L: ~5.5 m M: ~2,100 kg |
Ceratopsidae;
Centrosaurinae |
Late Cretaceous
(~79 Ma) |
Utah, USA;
Wahweap Formation |
An early centrosaurine displaying long, dramatic spikes curving out from the top of its frill, combined with long brow horns and a reduced snout horn. |
| Lokiceratops rangiformis | "Loki's horned face" (Loewen et al., 2024) | H: ~2.5 m
L: ~6.7 m M: ~5,000 kg |
Ceratopsidae;
Centrosaurinae |
Late Cretaceous
(~78 Ma) |
Montana, USA;
Judith River Formation |
Newly discovered. Features massive, blade-like frill horns reminiscent of Norse god Loki’s helmet, while completely lacking a nasal horn. |
| Nasutoceratops titusi | "Large-nosed horned face" (Sampson et al., 2013) | H: ~2.0 m
L: ~4.5–5.0 m M: ~1,500 kg |
Ceratopsidae;
Centrosaurinae |
Late Cretaceous
(~76 Ma) |
Utah, USA;
Kaiparowits Formation |
Renowned for its unique, curved, forward-pointing brow horns resembling modern cattle, paired with an immensely thick, air-filled nasal cavity. |
| Pachyrhinosaurus lakustai | "Thick-nosed lizard" (Fiorillo & Tykoski, 2012) | H: ~2.5 m
L: ~5.0–6.0 m M: ~3,000 kg |
Ceratopsidae;
Centrosaurinae |
Late Cretaceous
(~73 Ma) |
Alberta, Canada;
Wapiti & Colorado, USA; Hell Creek Formation |
Completely abandoned horns for a colossal, flat bony boss on its nose, supplemented by a complex cluster of smaller spikes dead center on its frill. |
| Sinoceratops zhuchengensis | "Chinese horned face" (Xu et al., 2010) | H: ~2.6 m
L: ~6.0 m M: ~2,000–2,300 kg |
Ceratopsidae;
Centrosaurinae |
Late Cretaceous
(~73 Ma) |
Shandong, China;
Wangshi Group |
The first definitive ceratopsid species found outside North America. Features a ring of short, forward-hooking curved horns decorating the top of its frill. |
| Styracosaurus ovatus | "Spiked lizard" (Lambe, 1913) | H: ~2.3 m
L: ~5.5 m M: ~2,700 kg |
Ceratopsidae;
Centrosaurinae |
Late Cretaceous
(~75 Ma) |
Montana, USA;
Two Medicine Fm |
Often separated into the genus Rubeosaurus. Displays a colossal nasal horn paired with long frill spikes that converge inward at the tips. |
| Torosaurus latus | "Perforated lizard" (Marsh, 1891) | H: ~3.0 m
L: ~7.5–8.0 m M: ~6,000 kg |
Ceratopsidae;
Chasmosaurinae |
Late Cretaceous
(~68–66 Ma) |
Western North America;
Hell Creek Formation |
Possessed one of the largest skulls of any land animal in history (up to 2.8 m). Closely related to Triceratops but retained open frill windows. |
| Triceratops horridus | "Three-horned face" (Marsh, 1889) | H: ~2.9–3.0 m
L: ~8.0–9.0 m M: ~6,000–9,000 kg |
Ceratopsidae;
Chasmosaurinae |
Late Cretaceous
(~68–66 Ma) |
Western North America;
Hell Creek Formation |
Iconic giant with two massive brow horns, a smaller nasal horn, and a completely solid, heavily armored bone frill optimized for combat. |
Thyreophora: Stegosauria & Basal Armored Dinosaurs Reference Chart
| Family / Genus & Species | Name Meaning / Etymology | Height / Length / Mass | Clade / Suborder | Temporal Range | Location & Formations | Key Anatomical & Ecological Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Family Stegosauridae | ||||||
| Chungkingosaurus jiangbeiensis | "Chongqing lizard" (Dong et al., 1983) | H: ~1.2 m
L: ~3.0–4.0 m M: ~1,000 kg |
Stegosauria;
Stegosauridae |
Late Jurassic
(~160 Ma) |
Chongqing, China;
Shangshaximiao Fm |
One of the smallest stegosaurids. Possessed deep, boxy jaws and a thagomizer equipped with up to three pairs of thick, vertical spikes. |
| Dacentrurus armatus | "Pointed tail" (Lucas, 1902) | H: ~2.5 m
L: ~7.0–8.0 m M: ~3,000–4,000 kg |
Stegosauria;
Dacentrurinae |
Late Jurassic
(~154–150 Ma) |
England, Portugal, France;
Kimmeridge Clay Fm |
A massive, wide-bodied European stegosaur. Swapped flat plates for sharp, paired spikes starting at the hips and running down the tail. |
| Dravidosaurus blanfordi | "Dravidian lizard" (Yadagiri & Ayyasami, 1979) | H: ~0.6 m
L: ~3.0 m M: ~200 kg |
Stegosauria;
Stegosauridae |
Late Cretaceous
(~92–86 Ma) |
Tamil Nadu, India;
Trichinopoly Formation |
Highly controversial. Long considered the last surviving stegosaur, though subsequent reviews suggest the remains are weathered plesiosaur bones. |
| Gigantspinosaurus sichuanensis | "Giant-spined lizard" (Ouyang, 1992) | H: ~1.5 m
L: ~4.2 m M: ~700 kg |
Stegosauria;
Basal Stegosauria |
Late Jurassic
(~160 Ma) |
Sichuan, China;
Shangshaximiao Fm |
Renowned for bearing a pair of colossal, backward-curved shoulder spikes (parascapular spines) that dwarfed its tiny dorsal plates. |
| Kentrosaurus aethiopicus | "Spiked lizard" (Hennig, 1915) | H: ~1.5 m
L: ~4.5 m M: ~700–1,100 kg |
Stegosauria;
Stegosauridae |
Late Jurassic
(~152–150 Ma) |
Lindi, Tanzania;
Tendaguru Formation |
Features a striking defensive transition: small plates cover the neck and shoulders, giving way to elongated spines over the hips and tail. |
| Lexovisaurus durobrivensis | "Lexovi lizard" (Hoffstetter, 1957) | H: ~2.0 m
L: ~5.0–6.0 m M: ~2,000 kg |
Stegosauria;
Stegosauridae |
Middle Jurassic
(~165 Ma) |
England, France;
Oxford Clay Formation |
One of the earliest true stegosaurids known. Adorned with flat, armor-like plates over the back and long, pointed spines above the hips. |
| Miragaia longicollum | "Beautiful earth long-neck" (Mateus et al., 2009) | H: ~2.0 m
L: ~5.5–6.5 m M: ~2,000 kg |
Stegosauria;
Dacentrurinae |
Late Jurassic
(~150 Ma) |
Lisbon, Portugal;
Lourinhã Formation |
Bizarrely evolved a highly elongated, sauropod-like neck containing at least 17 cervical vertebrae, allowing it to exploit unique low-to-mid browsing niches. |
| Stegosaurus stenops | "Roof lizard" (Marsh, 1877) | H: ~3.0–4.0 m
L: ~7.0–9.0 m M: ~3,500–5,000 kg |
Stegosauria;
Stegosauridae |
Late Jurassic
(~155–150 Ma) |
Western North America;
Morrison Formation |
The iconic giant of the lineage. Features 17 massive, alternating dermal plates used for thermoregulation/display, and a 4-spiked defensive thagomizer. |
| Tuojiangosaurus multispinus | "Tuo River lizard" (Dong et al., 1977) | H: ~2.2 m
L: ~6.5–7.0 m M: ~2,800 kg |
Stegosauria;
Stegosauridae |
Late Jurassic
(~160 Ma) |
Sichuan, China;
Shangshaximiao Fm |
The classic Asian stegosaur. Features 15 pairs of highly pointed, conical plates along the back, narrow skull mechanics, and massive shoulder spikes. |
| Wuerhosaurus ordosensis | "Wuerho lizard" (Dong, 1973) | H: ~1.5 m
L: ~5.0–7.0 m M: ~4,000 kg |
Stegosauria;
Stegosauridae |
Early Cretaceous
(~132–120 Ma) |
Xinjiang/Ordos, China;
Lianmuqin Formation |
One of the final true stegosaurs. Highly derived with an immensely wide pelvis and uniquely low, long, flattened rectangular dorsal plates. |
| Family Scelidosauridae | ||||||
| Scelidosaurus harrisonii | "Limb lizard" (Owen, 1859) | H: ~1.0 m
L: ~4.0 m M: ~250–300 kg |
Thyreophora;
Basal Ankylosauromorpha |
Early Jurassic
(~191 Ma) |
Dorset, England;
Charmouth Mudstone |
The foundational basal thyreophoran. Completely quadrupedal and heavily armored with parallel rows of bony, studded osteoderms embedded in its skin. |
Thyreophora: Infraorder Ankylosauria Reference Chart
| Family / Genus & Species | Name Meaning / Etymology | Height / Length / Mass | Clade / Suborder | Temporal Range | Location & Formations | Key Anatomical & Ecological Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Family Nodosauridae | ||||||
| Antarctopelta oliveroi | "Antarctic shield" (Salgado & Gasparini, 2006) | H: ~1.0 m
L: ~4.0 m M: ~350 kg |
Ankylosauria;
Nodosauridae |
Late Cretaceous
(~74–70 Ma) |
James Ross Island, Antarctica;
Santa Marta Formation |
The first dinosaur ever discovered in Antarctica. A small, heavily armored browser that survived high-latitude polar dark seasons. |
| Borealopelta markmitchelli | "Northern shield" (Brown et al., 2017) | H: ~1.2 m
L: ~5.5 m M: ~1,300 kg |
Ankylosauria;
Nodosauridae |
Early Cretaceous
(~112 Ma) |
Alberta, Canada;
Clearwater Formation |
World-famous for a pristine three-dimensional mummy fossil. Preserved soft tissue confirms countershading camouflage and massive shoulder spikes. |
| Edmontonia rugosidens | "From Edmonton" (Gilmore, 1930) | H: ~1.6 m
L: ~6.0 m M: ~2,300–3,000 kg |
Ankylosauria;
Nodosauridae |
Late Cretaceous
(~76–75 Ma) |
Alberta, Canada;
Dinosaur Park Fm |
Large nodosaurids with a broad, pear-shaped skull. Featured huge forward-pointing shoulder spikes used for defense or intra-species jousting. |
| Gastonia lorriemcwhinneyae | "Gaston's shield" (Kinneer et al., 2016) | H: ~1.1 m
L: ~4.5–5.0 m M: ~1,000–1,900 kg |
Ankylosauria;
Nodosauridae |
Early Cretaceous
(~139–134 Ma) |
Utah, USA;
Cedar Mountain Fm |
Armed with a solid pelvic shield of fused armor and side-tail spikes that locked like scissors to clip invading predators (Utahraptor). |
| Nodosaurus textilis | "Knobbed lizard" (Marsh, 1889) | H: ~1.5 m
L: ~4.0–6.0 m M: ~1,500 kg |
Ankylosauria;
Nodosauridae |
Late Cretaceous
(~99 Ma) |
Wyoming/Kansas, USA;
Frontier Formation |
The namesake of its family. Covered in tight rows of square dermal plates, but completely lacked the heavy tail club of its ankylosaurid cousins. |
| Panoplosaurus mirus | "Completely armored lizard" (Lambe, 1919) | H: ~1.8 m
L: ~5.0–7.0 m M: ~2,500–3,500 kg |
Ankylosauria;
Nodosauridae |
Late Cretaceous
(~76 Ma) |
Alberta, Canada;
Dinosaur Park Fm |
Lacked large spikes, opting instead for heavy, overlapping oval osteoderms. Uniquely compact snout indicates highly selective feeding habits. |
| Sauropelta edwardsorum | "Lizard shield" (Ostrom, 1970) | H: ~1.6 m
L: ~5.2 m M: ~1,500 kg |
Ankylosauria;
Nodosauridae |
Early Cretaceous
(~108 Ma) |
Montana/Wyoming, USA;
Cloverly Formation |
Noted for its exceptionally long, rigid tail and a dramatic row of oversized, pointed horns projecting outward from the neck region. |
| Silvisaurus condrayi | "Forest lizard" (Eaton, 1960) | H: ~1.0 m
L: ~4.0 m M: ~1,000 kg |
Ankylosauria;
Nodosauridae |
Late Cretaceous
(~95 Ma) |
Kansas, USA;
Dakota Formation |
A relatively primitive nodosaurid that uniquely retained small teeth in its premaxilla (upper beak front), hinting at its ancestral transitions. |
| Struthiosaurus transylvanicus | "Ostrich lizard" (Nopcsa, 1915) | H: ~0.7 m
L: ~2.0–2.5 m M: ~300 kg |
Ankylosauria;
Nodosauridae |
Late Cretaceous
(~70–66 Ma) |
Hunedoara, Romania;
Sânpetru Formation |
A tiny island dwarf that adapted to the restricted environments of prehistoric Europe's Hațeg Island by shrinking down significantly. |
| Family Ankylosauridae | ||||||
| Ankylosaurus magniventris | "Fused lizard" (Brown, 1908) | H: ~1.7 m
L: ~6.2–8.0 m M: ~4,800–8,000 kg |
Ankylosauria;
Ankylosauridae |
Late Cretaceous
(~68–66 Ma) |
Western North America;
Hell Creek Formation |
The largest armored dinosaur. Combined a massive bony head with fully fused armor plates, armored eyelids, and a bone-shattering tail club. |
| Euoplocephalus tutus | "Well-armed head" (Lambe, 1902) | H: ~1.5 m
L: ~5.0–5.5 m M: ~2,000–2,500 kg |
Ankylosauria;
Ankylosauridae |
Late Cretaceous
(~76–75 Ma) |
Alberta, Canada;
Dinosaur Park Fm |
One of the most completely known ankylosaurids. Possessed ringed bands of body armor, curved horns on its skull corners, and a heavy tail club. |
| Minmi paravertebra | "Minmi Crossing" (Molnar, 1980) | H: ~0.8 m
L: ~2.5–3.0 m M: ~300 kg |
Ankylosauria;
Basal Ankylosauria |
Early Cretaceous
(~120–112 Ma) |
Queensland, Australia;
Bungil Formation |
A highly unique basal armored dinosaur. Lacked a tail club but possessed specialized horizontal bone plates ("paravertebrae") along its spine. |
| Saichania chulsanensis | "Beautiful one" (Maryańska, 1977) | H: ~1.9 m
L: ~5.2–6.0 m M: ~2,000–2,400 kg |
Ankylosauria;
Ankylosauridae |
Late Cretaceous
(~72 Ma) |
Gobi Desert, Mongolia;
Barun Goyot Formation |
Extremely robust desert survivor with a heavily knobby, spiked skull structure and intricate, air-purifying nasal passages. |
| Scolosaurus thronus | "Stake lizard" (Cutler, 1940) | H: ~1.5 m
L: ~5.0–6.0 m M: ~2,000 kg |
Ankylosauria;
Ankylosauridae |
Late Cretaceous
(~76 Ma) |
Alberta, Canada;
Dinosaur Park Fm |
Closely related to Euoplocephalus, but distinguished by unique clusters of low, conical spikes running along its flanks and tail base. |
| Talarurus plicatospineus | "Basket tail" (Maleev, 1952) | H: ~1.6 m
L: ~5.0 m M: ~2,000 kg |
Ankylosauria;
Ankylosauridae |
Late Cretaceous
(~90 Ma) |
Gobi Desert, Mongolia;
Bayan Shireh Fm |
A primitive ankylosaurid. Retained five toes on its hind feet (later species had three or four) and an elongated, basket-woven tail rod system. |
| Tarchia teresae | "Brainy one" (Maryańska, 1977) | H: ~2.0 m
L: ~5.5–6.0 m M: ~2,500–3,000 kg |
Ankylosauria;
Ankylosauridae |
Late Cretaceous
(~72–70 Ma) |
Gobi Desert, Mongolia;
Barun Goyot Formation |
Features the largest braincase of any Asian ankylosaurid. Skull exhibits asymmetry and healing textures from combat impacts (Tarbo/Tarchia clashes). |
Pterosauria
Order Pterosauria: Flying Reptiles Reference Chart
| Family / Genus & Species | Name Meaning / Etymology | Wingspan / Height / Mass | Clade / Suborder | Temporal Range | Location & Formations | Key Anatomical & Ecological Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Family Dimorphodontidae | ||||||
| Dimorphodon macronyx | "Two-form tooth" (Owen, 1859) | W: ~1.4 m
H: ~0.5 m M: ~2–4 kg |
Rhamphorhynchoidea | Early Jurassic
(~195–190 Ma) |
Dorset, England;
Blue Lias Formation |
Characterized by a deep, puffin-like skull with two distinct types of teeth. Likely a terrestrial scamperer hunting small land vertebrates or insects rather than a dedicated fish-eater. |
| Dorygnathus banthensis | "Spear jaw" (Wagner, 1860) | H: ~1.5 m
H: ~0.4 m M: ~2 kg |
Rhamphorhynchoidea | Early Jurassic
(~182–174 Ma) |
Baden-Württemberg, Germany;
Posidonia Shale |
Possessed highly specialized, long, curved fangs at the front of its jaws that jutted outward, forming an effective basket designed to snag slippery fish. |
| Family Eudimorphodontidae | ||||||
| Eudimorphodon ranzii | "True two-form tooth" (Zambelli, 1973) | W: ~1.0 m
H: ~0.3 m M: ~1 kg |
Rhamphorhynchoidea | Late Triassic
(~210 Ma) |
Lombardy, Italy;
Zorzino Limestone |
One of the oldest known flying reptiles. Possessed complex multi-cusped teeth (up to 5 cusps per tooth), providing fossilized proof of a piscivorous diet containing fish scales. |
| Family Rhamphorhynchidae | ||||||
| Anurognathus ammoni | "Without tail jaw" (Döderlein, 1923) | W: ~0.5 m
H: ~0.1 m M: ~40 g |
Rhamphorhynchoidea | Late Jurassic
(~150 Ma) |
Bavaria, Germany;
Solnhofen Limestone |
Uniquely swapped the typical long pterosaur tail for a tiny, fused pygostyle. Had huge eyes and a wide frog-like mouth optimized for catching insects mid-flight at dusk. |
| Rhamphorhynchus etchesi | "Beak snout" (Martill et al., 2015) | W: ~1.2 m
H: ~0.4 m M: ~1–2 kg |
Rhamphorhynchoidea | Late Jurassic
(~152 Ma) |
Dorset, England;
Kimmeridge Clay Fm |
Classic long-tailed pterosaur. Equipped with a rigid, diamond-shaped vane at the tip of its tail for steering, forward-pointing needle teeth, and a curved bony beak tip. |
| Scaphognathus crassirostris | "Tub jaw" (Goldfuss, 1831) | W: ~0.9 m
H: ~0.3 m M: ~1 kg |
Rhamphorhynchoidea | Late Jurassic
(~150 Ma) |
Bavaria, Germany;
Solnhofen Limestone |
Noted for its relatively short, deep skull and vertical teeth. Historical study of its skeleton provided early structural proof that pterosaurs were warm-blooded. |
| Sordes pilosus | "Hairy filth" (Sharov, 1971) | W: ~0.6 m
H: ~0.2 m M: ~200 g |
Rhamphorhynchoidea | Late Jurassic
(~155 Ma) |
Kazakhstan;
Karatau Formation |
Landmark fossil that revolutionized paleontology. Discovered with undeniable, thick impressions of hair-like filaments (pycnofibers) covering its body for insulation. |
| Family Tapejaridae | ||||||
| Caiuajara dobruskii | "Caiuá old living being" (Manzig et al., 2014) | W: ~0.6–2.3 m
H: ~0.5–1.2 m M: ~2–8 kg |
Pterodactyloidea | Late Cretaceous
(~85 Ma) |
Paraná, Brazil;
Goio-Erê Formation |
Found in massive bonebeds inside ancient desert oases. Possessed a giant, sail-like bony skull crest that expanded dramatically as the individual grew into adulthood. |
| Family Anhangueridae | ||||||
| Cearadactylus atrox | "Ceará finger" (Leonardi & Borgomanero, 1985) | W: ~4.0–5.5 m
H: ~1.2 m M: ~15 kg |
Pterodactyloidea | Early Cretaceous
(~112 Ma) |
Ceará, Brazil;
Romualdo Formation |
Large marine glider with a low, uncrested snout. Features a distinct expansion or "rostral rosette" at the tip of its jaws to lock down fish during sea skimming. |
| Family Ornithocheiridae | ||||||
| Geosternbergia sternbergi | "Sternberg's earth mountain" (Miller, 1972) | W: ~6.0 m
H: ~1.8 m M: ~20 kg |
Pterodactyloidea | Late Cretaceous
(~88–85 Ma) |
Kansas, USA;
Niobrara Chalk Fm |
Closely related to Pteranodon. Famous for its immense, upright, backward-directed blade-like cranial crest, which is widely believed to be a sexually dimorphic feature. |
| Pteranodon longiceps | "Toothless wing" (Marsh, 1876) | W: ~5.6–7.0 m
H: ~1.8 m M: ~20–35 kg |
Pterodactyloidea | Late Cretaceous
(~86–84 Ma) |
Kansas, USA;
Niobrara Chalk Fm |
Iconic pelagic flyer with completely toothless, long jaws and a backward-pointing crest. Fossilized stomach contents confirm it flew hundreds of miles off coastal waters to scoop fish. |
| Quetzalcoatlus lawsoni | "Feathered serpent god" (Andres & Langston, 2021) | W: ~4.5–25.5 m
H: ~12.2 m M: ~50,000 kg |
Pterodactyloidea;
Azhdarchidae |
Late Cretaceous
(~68–66 Ma) |
Texas, USA;
Javelina Formation |
While Q. northropi reached giant sizes, this smaller, abundant companion species had a robust, stork-like build. It stalked ecosystems on all fours as a terrestrial ambush predator. |
| Family Pterodaustriidae | ||||||
| Pterodaustro guinazui | "Southern wing" (Bonaparte, 1970) | W: ~2.5 m
H: ~0.6 m M: ~3–5 kg |
Pterodactyloidea | Early Cretaceous
(~105 Ma) |
San Luis, Argentina;
Lohan Cura Formation |
The ultimate filter-feeder. Its lower jaw was packed with upwards of 1,000 long, bristle-like elastic teeth used like whale baleen to strain tiny shrimp and algae out of muddy waters. |
Marine Monsters
Marine Apex Predators & Giant Squamates Reference Chart
| Family / Genus & Species | Name Meaning / Etymology | Height / Length / Mass | Clade / Suborder | Temporal Range | Location & Formations | Key Anatomical & Ecological Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Family Otodontidae | ||||||
| Otodus megalodon | "Giant tooth" (Agassiz, 1843) | H: N/A (Shark)
L: ~15.0–20.0 m M: ~48,000–100,000 kg |
Lamniformes | Miocene to Pliocene
(~23–3.6 Ma) |
Global distribution;
Yorktown Formation |
Mega-toothed apex predatory shark. Possessed massive, robust serrated teeth and a cosmopolitan distribution; specialized in hunting whales. |
| Family Dunkleosteidae | ||||||
| Dunkleosteus amblyodoratus | "Dunkle's bone" (Carr & Hlavin, 2010) | H: N/A (Fish)
L: ~4.0–14.0 m M: ~17,000 kg |
Arthrodira | Late Devonian
(~360 Ma) |
Ohio, USA;
Cleveland Shale |
Giant armored placoderm. Swapped teeth for self-sharpening gnathal plates; utilized a powerful suction-feeding jaw mechanism. |
| Family Ichthyosauridae | ||||||
| Ichthyosaurus conybeari | "Fish lizard" (Lydekker, 1888) | H: ~0.5 m
L: ~2.0 m M: ~80–100 kg |
Ichthyosauria | Early Jurassic
(~200–190 Ma) |
England;
Blue Lias Formation |
Dolphin-like marine reptile with a deep, compact skull, large ear bones for underwater hearing, and sharp teeth to hunt fish and squid. |
| Family Leptonectidae | ||||||
| Eurhinosaurus huenei | "Well-nosed lizard" (Abel, 1909) | H: ~0.6 m
L: ~6.0 m M: ~1,000 kg |
Ichthyosauria | Early Jurassic
(~183–175 Ma) |
Germany;
Posidonia Shale |
Bizarre swordfish-like ichthyosaur. The upper jaw was twice as long as the lower jaw, lined with teeth and likely used to slash or spear prey. |
| Family Ophthalmosauridae | ||||||
| Ophthalmosaurus icenicus | "Eye lizard" (Seeley, 1874) | H: ~0.8 m
L: ~6.0 m M: ~3,000 kg |
Ichthyosauria | Middle to Late Jurassic
(~165–160 Ma) |
England/France;
Oxford Clay Formation |
Celebrated for having the largest eyes relative to body size of any vertebrate (up to 22 cm). Built for deep-sea diving and low-light hunting. |
| Family Plesiosauridae | ||||||
| Elasmosaurus platyurus | "Thin-plate lizard" (Cope, 1868) | H: ~2.0 m
L: ~10.3 m M: ~2,000 kg |
Plesiosauria | Late Cretaceous
(~80.5 Ma) |
Kansas, USA;
Pierre Shale |
Hyper-elongated neck containing 72 cervical vertebrae. Stalked schools of fish from below, using interlocking, needle-like teeth. |
| Plesiosaurus dolichodeirus | "Near lizard" (Conybeare, 1924) | H: ~0.6 m
L: ~3.5 m M: ~400 kg |
Plesiosauria | Early Jurassic
(~199–175 Ma) |
Dorset, England;
Blue Lias Formation |
The foundational marine reptile discovery. Features a small skull, a moderately long neck, and four large, identical wing-like swimming flippers. |
| Trinacromerum kirki | "Three-tipped femur" (Cragin, 1888) | H: ~0.8 m
L: ~3.0 m M: ~500 kg |
Plesiosauria;
Polycotylidae |
Late Cretaceous
(~93 Ma) |
Kansas, USA;
Greenhorn Limestone |
Sleek, short-necked plesiomorph. Swapped the long-necked stealth build for hydrodynamically streamlined contours engineered for high-speed chasing. |
| Family Pliosauridae | ||||||
| Attenborosaurus conybeari | "Attenborough's lizard" (Bakker, 1993) | H: ~0.8 m
L: ~5.0 m M: ~1,000 kg |
Plesiosauria | Early Jurassic
(~190 Ma) |
Dorset, England;
Blue Lias Formation |
Named after David Attenborough. A transitional pliosaurid that uniquely paired a relatively long neck with a larger, robust predatory skull. |
| Kronosaurus queenslandicus | "Kronos lizard" (Longman, 1924) | H: ~2.5 m
L: ~9.0–10.5 m M: ~11,000 kg |
Plesiosauria | Early Cretaceous
(~120–110 Ma) |
Queensland, Australia;
Toolebuc Formation |
Colossal macro-predator. Possessed a massive 2.7-meter skull armed with huge, conical, un-serrated teeth exceeding 7 cm in length. |
| Liopleurodon ferox | "Smooth-sided teeth" (Sauvage, 1873) | H: ~1.8 m
L: ~5.0–7.0 m M: ~3,000 kg |
Plesiosauria | Late Jurassic
(~166–155 Ma) |
England/France;
Oxford Clay Formation |
Apex ambush hunter. Directional nostril architecture allowed it to track scent signatures underwater to intercept heavy prey. |
| Family Mosasauridae | ||||||
| Clidastes propython | "Locked vertebrae" (Cope, 1868) | H: ~0.4 m
L: ~2.0–4.0 m M: ~150 kg |
Squamata | Late Cretaceous
(~85–82 Ma) |
Alabama, USA;
Mooreville Chalk |
Small, highly agile early mosasaur. Possessed tight interlocking vertebrae to stabilize its body during sharp, rapid tail-driven turns. |
| Jormungandr walhallaensis | "Midgard Serpent" (Zietlow et al., 2023) | H: ~0.6 m
L: ~7.3 m M: ~1,500 kg |
Squamata | Late Cretaceous
(~80 Ma) |
North Dakota, USA;
Pierre Shale |
Recently described transitional mosaic taxon. Bridged structural features between primitive Clidastes lineages and giant Mosasaurus variants. |
| Mosasaurus beaugei | "Meuse River lizard" (Arambourg, 1952) | H: ~3.5 m
L: ~10.0–21.0 m M: ~5,000–18,000 kg |
Squamata | Late Cretaceous
(~68–66 Ma) |
Morocco;
Ouled Abdoun Basin |
Massive apex marine squamate. Possessed a barrel-shaped chest, a powerful paddle-like tail fin, and dense, crushing jaw mechanics. |
| Family Varanidae | ||||||
| Megalania priscus | "Giant ancient roamer" (Owen, 1859) | H: ~1.0 m
L: ~5.5–7.0 m M: ~600–1,900 kg |
Squamata | Pleistocene
(~1.5 Ma–40,000 YA) |
Australia;
Allingham Formation |
Also classified as Varanus priscus. The largest known terrestrial lizard in Earth's history; a giant, venomous monitor that targeted marsupial megafauna. |
Non-Reptilia
Synapsida: Non-Mammalian Synapsids ("Mammal-Like Reptiles") Reference Chart
| Family / Genus & Species | Name Meaning / Etymology | Height / Length / Mass | Clade / Suborder | Temporal Range | Location & Formations | Key Anatomical & Ecological Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Family Sphenacodontidae | ||||||
| Dimetrodon grandis | "Two measures of teeth" (Cope, 1878) | H: ~1.2 m
L: ~3.2–3.5 m M: ~250 kg |
Pelycosauria;
Sphenacodontoidea |
Early Permian
(~280–270 Ma) |
Texas/Oklahoma, USA;
Arroyo Formation |
Apex predator often mistaken for a dinosaur. Possessed differentiated teeth and a spectacular neural sail used for thermoregulation and display. |
| Family Lystrosauridae | ||||||
| Lystrosaurus curvatus | "Shovel lizard" (Owen, 1859) | H: ~0.4 m
L: ~0.9–1.2 m M: ~30–90 kg |
Therapsida;
Dicynodontia |
Late Permian to Early Triassic (~252–250 Ma) | South Africa, Antarctica;
Balfour Formation |
The ultimate survivor. This barrel-chested, tusked burrower made up as much as 90% of all land vertebrate life right after the Permian mass extinction. |
| Family Geikiidae | ||||||
| Bulbasaurus phylloxyron | "Bulbous lizard / Leaf razor" (Kammerer, 2017) | H: ~0.2 m
L: ~0.5–0.7 m M: ~5–10 kg |
Therapsida;
Dicynodontia |
Late Permian
(~256–255 Ma) |
South Africa;
Middle Balfour Formation |
Named for its heavily built, bulbous nasal pads. Possessed sharp, razor-like keratinous beak sheaths utilized for slicing through tough Permian flora. |
| Family Alphadontidae | ||||||
| Alphadon halleyi | "First tooth" (Simpson, 1929) | H: ~0.1 m
L: ~0.3 m (with tail) M: ~100–300 g |
Metatheria;
Marsupialiformes |
Late Cretaceous
(~75–70 Ma) |
Alberta, Canada;
Dinosaur Park Fm |
(Note: Cladistically a true mammalian metatherian, not a therapsid). Opossum-like nocturnal omnivore that scamped underfoot of giant dinosaurs. |
Verison 3
Saurischia
Complete Ceratosauria Reference Chart
| Genus & Species | Name Meaning / Etymology | Clade / Suborder | Temporal Range | Height / Length / Mass | Diet | Location & Formations | Key Anatomical & Ecological Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ORDER SAURISCHIA | |||||||
| SUBORDER THEROPODA | |||||||
| INFRAORDER CERATOSAURIA | |||||||
| Family Podokesauridae (Coelophysidae) | |||||||
| Coelophysis bauri | "Hollow form" (named for its light, hollow limb bones). | Coelophysoidea / Theropoda | Late Triassic (~228–201 Ma) | Height: 0.9–1.3 m
Length: 3 m Mass: 15–25 kg |
Carnivore (insects, small reptiles) | Southwestern USA; Chinle Formation (Ghost Ranch, NM) | Exceptionally well-preserved, built like a greyhound. Once controversial for rumored cannibalism. |
| Megapnosaurus rhodesiensis | "Big dead lizard" (named tongue-in-cheek by entomologists). | Coelophysoidea / Theropoda | Early Jurassic (~199–188 Ma) | Height: 0.8 m
Length: 2.2–3 m Mass: 13–32 kg |
Carnivore | Zimbabwe & South Africa; Forest Sandstone Formation | Formerly known as Syntarsus. Known from a massive bonebed suggesting pack-hunting habits. |
| Podokesaurus holyokensis | "Swift-footed lizard of Holyoke". | Coelophysoidea / Theropoda | Early Jurassic (~190 Ma) | Height: 0.4 m
Length: 0.9 m Mass: 1–4 kg |
Carnivore | Massachusetts, USA; Portland Formation | One of the first dinosaurs found by a female scientist (Mignon Talbot). Extremely light, agile cursorial build. |
| Procompsognathus triassicus | "Before elegant jaw of the Triassic". | Coelophysoidea / Theropoda | Late Triassic (~210 Ma) | Height: 0.25 m
Length: 1 m Mass: 1 kg |
Carnivore / Insectivore | Germany; Stubensandstein Formation | Small, delicate, bipedal hunter with long hind legs. Famously featured in Michael Crichton's Jurassic Park. |
| Segisaurus halli | "Segi canyon lizard". | Coelophysoidea / Theropoda | Early Jurassic (~183 Ma) | Height: 0.5 m
Length: 1 m Mass: 4–7 kg |
Carnivore | Arizona, USA; Navajo Sandstone Formation | Unique among early theropods for possessing solid bones rather than completely hollow ones. |
| Family Ceratosauridae | |||||||
| Ceratosaurus nasicornis | "Horned lizard". | Neoceratosauria / Theropoda | Late Jurassic (~153–148 Ma) | Height: 2 m
Length: 5.5–7 m Mass: 500–1,000 kg |
Carnivore | Western USA, Europe; Morrison Formation | Distinguished by a large nose horn, two small brow horns, and a row of bony osteoderms along its back. |
| Family Dilophosauridae | |||||||
| Dilophosaurus wetherilli | "Two-crested lizard". | Theropoda | Early Jurassic (~193 Ma) | Height: 1.5–2 m
Length: 6–7 m Mass: 400 kg |
Carnivore | Arizona, USA; Kayenta Formation | Features two parallel, thin crests running along the skull. Had a flexible, almost notched upper jaw. |
| Family Noasauridae | |||||||
| Masiakasaurus knopfleri | "Vicious lizard" (species honors musician Mark Knopfler). | Abelisauroidea / Theropoda | Late Cretaceous (~70–66 Ma) | Height: 0.6 m
Length: 2 m Mass: 20 kg |
Carnivore (Piscivore/Generalist) | Madagascar; Maevarano Formation | Bizarre, forward-projecting dentition (procumbent teeth) designed for snaring quick, slippery prey. |
| Family Abelisauridae | |||||||
| Carnotaurus sastrei | "Meat-eating bull". | Abelisauroidea / Theropoda | Late Cretaceous (~72–69 Ma) | Height: 2.5 m
Length: 7.5–9 m Mass: 1,300–2,000 kg |
Carnivore | Argentina; La Colonia Formation | Sporting distinct bull-like horns above its eyes and extremely reduced, vestigial forelimbs. |
| Majungasaurus crenatissimus | "Mahajanga lizard". | Abelisauroidea / Theropoda | Late Cretaceous (~70–66 Ma) | Height: 2 m
Length: 6–7 m Mass: 1,100 kg |
Carnivore | Madagascar; Maevarano Formation | Apex predator of its environment. Possesses a singular, blunt dome-horn on its skull. Confirmed cannibalistic behavior. |
| Rajasaurus narmadensis | "Princely lizard of the Narmada". | Abelisauroidea / Theropoda | Late Cretaceous (~67–66 Ma) | Height: 2.4 m
Length: 7.6–9 m Mass: 1,500–3,000 kg |
Carnivore | India; Lameta Formation | A heavy, robust abelisaurid possessing a distinct low crown-like nasal crest on its forehead. |
Complete Carnosauria Reference Chart
| Genus & Species | Name Meaning / Etymology | Clade / Suborder | Temporal Range | Height / Length / Mass | Diet | Location & Formations | Key Anatomical & Ecological Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ORDER SAURISCHIA | |||||||
| SUBORDER THEROPODA | |||||||
| INFRAORDER CARNOSAURIA | |||||||
| Family Megalosauridae | |||||||
| Eustreptospondylus oxoniensis | "True well-curved vertebra of Oxford". | Megalosauroidea / Carnosauria | Middle Jurassic (~163 Ma) | Height: 1.5–2 m
Length: 4.6–6 m Mass: 500 kg |
Carnivore (fish, marine reptiles, beach scavenger) | England; Oxford Clay Formation | Known from a single, remarkably complete juvenile specimen. Likely inhabited a chain of island environments. |
| Marshosaurus bicentesimus | "Marsh's lizard" (honors O.C. Marsh; species marks the US Bicentennial). | Megalosauroidea / Carnosauria | Late Jurassic (~155–150 Ma) | Height: 1.5–1.8 m
Length: 4.5–5 m Mass: 200 kg |
Carnivore | Western USA; Morrison Formation | A medium-sized, relatively lean predator that coexisted with larger giants like Allosaurus and Ceratosaurus. |
| Poekilopleuron bucklandii | "Varied ribs" (honors paleontology pioneer William Buckland). | Megalosauroidea / Carnosauria | Middle Jurassic (~168 Ma) | Height: 2 m
Length: 7–8 m Mass: 1,000 kg |
Carnivore | France; Calcaire de Caen Formation | One of the earliest discovered theropods. The original holotype was tragically destroyed during World War II. |
| Torvosaurus gurneyi | "Savage lizard" (species honors paleo-artist James Gurney). | Megalosauroidea / Carnosauria | Late Jurassic (~150–145 Ma) | Height: 3 m
Length: 10–11 m Mass: 4,000–5,000 kg |
Carnivore | Portugal; Lourinhã Formation | One of the largest land predators of Europe's Jurassic period, sporting massive, blade-like teeth up to 13 cm long. |
| Family Spinosauridae | |||||||
| Baryonyx walkeri | "Heavy claw" (honors amateur collector William Walker). | Spinosauridae / Carnosauria | Early Cretaceous (~125–121 Ma) | Height: 2.5 m
Length: 7.5–10 m Mass: 1,200–2,000 kg |
Piscivore / Carnivore | UK, Spain; Weald Clay Formation | Notable for its long, crocodile-like snout and a massive 31 cm curved claw on its first thumb. Fossilized fish scales found in its stomach. |
| Spinosaurus aegyptiacus | "Spine lizard of Egypt". | Spinosauridae / Carnosauria | Late Cretaceous (~99–93 Ma) | Height: 4–5 m (including sail)
Length: 14–15 m Mass: 6,000–7,000 kg |
Piscivore / Carnivore | North Africa; Kem Kem Group, Bahariya Formation | The longest known carnivorous dinosaur. Features a spectacular 1.6-meter sail and highly specialized semi-aquatic adaptations. |
| Suchomimus tenerensis | "Crocodile mimic from Ténéré". | Spinosauridae / Carnosauria | Early Cretaceous (~121–113 Ma) | Height: 3–3.5 m
Length: 9.5–11 m Mass: 2,500–3,800 kg |
Piscivore / Carnivore | Niger; Elrhaz Formation | Had a low, elongated skull filled with over 100 finely serrated, backward-pointing teeth and a low ridge over its hips. |
| Family Carcharodontosauridae | |||||||
| Acrocanthosaurus atokensis | "High-spined lizard from Atoka County". | Carcharodontosauridae | Early Cretaceous (~113–110 Ma) | Height: 3.8–4 m
Length: 11–11.5 m Mass: 5,000–6,200 kg |
Carnivore | USA (Oklahoma, Texas); Antlers Formation | Famous for the tall neural spines running along its neck and back, which likely anchored powerful muscle ridges or a small hump. |
| Carcharodontosaurus iguidensis | "Shark-toothed lizard from Iguidi". | Carcharodontosauridae | Late Cretaceous (~95 Ma) | Height: 6.8 m
Length: 10–18 m Mass: 9,000 kg |
Carnivore | Niger; Echkar Formation | Named after the Iguidi region. Possessed unique maxilla and braincase structures distinct from its sister species C. saharicus. |
| Giganotosaurus carolinii | "Giant southern lizard" (honors discoverer Rubén Carolini). | Carcharodontosauridae | Late Cretaceous (~98–96 Ma) | Height: 4 m
Length: 12–13 m Mass: 7,000–8,500 kg |
Carnivore | Argentina; Candeleros Formation | One of the largest terrestrial carnivores of all time, dwarfing T. rex in length, though possessing a longer, more slender skull structure. |
| Family Allosauridae | |||||||
| Allosaurus europaeus | "Different European lizard". | Allosauroidea | Late Jurassic (~150 Ma) | Height: 5.2 m
Length: 7–13.5 m Mass: 1,000–11,500 kg |
Carnivore | Portugal / USA (New Mexico); Lourinhã / Morrison Formation | The European cousin to North America's famous A. fragilis. Features distinctive subtle structural differences in its skull bones. |
| Yangchuanosaurus zigongensis | "Yangchuan lizard from Zigong". | Metriacanthosauridae / Allosauroidea | Middle Jurassic (~168–161 Ma) | Height: 2.5 m
Length: 7–8 m Mass: 1,300 kg |
Carnivore | China; Xiashaximiao Formation | A deep-skulled carnosaur featuring small, bony ridges and knobs along its snout. It was the apex predator of its Asian ecosystem. |
Complete Coelurosauria Reference Chart
| Genus & Species | Name Meaning / Etymology | Clade / Suborder | Temporal Range | Height / Length / Mass | Diet | Location & Formations | Key Anatomical & Ecological Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ORDER SAURISCHIA | |||||||
| SUBORDER THEROPODA | |||||||
| INFRAORDER COELUROSAURIA | |||||||
| Family Coeluridae | |||||||
| Coelurus fragilis | "Hollow tail" (fragile nature of the vertebrae). | Basal Coelurosauria | Late Jurassic (~153–150 Ma) | Height: 0.7 m
Length: 2.4 m Mass: 13–20 kg |
Carnivore (small mammals, lizards) | USA (Wyoming); Morrison Formation | Slenderly built with exceptionally long, thin-walled vertebrae. Strongly coexisted with much larger predators. |
| Ornitholestes hermanni | "Bird robber" (honors preparator Adam Hermann). | Basal Coelurosauria | Late Jurassic (~154–150 Ma) | Height: 0.8 m
Length: 2 m Mass: 12–15 kg |
Carnivore / Omnivore | USA (Wyoming, Utah); Morrison Formation | Small, fleet-footed hunter with an elongated skull. Early reconstructions mistakenly gave it a tiny nasal horn. |
| Family Tyrannosauroidea | |||||||
| Moros intrepidus | "Impending doom" (forerunner to giant tyrant lizards). | Basal Tyrannosauroidea | Late Cretaceous (~96 Ma) | Height: 1.2 m
Length: 2.5 m Mass: 78 kg |
Carnivore | USA (Utah); Cedar Mountain Formation | One of the smallest and earliest Cretaceous tyrannosauroids in North America, filling a cursorial niche. |
| Nanotyrannus lethaeus | "Dwarf tyrant" (lethaeus references the mythological River Lethe, "forgotten"). | Tyrannosauroidea | Late Cretaceous (~66 Ma) | Height: 1.5–1.8 m
Length: 5–5.5 m Mass: 600–900 kg |
Carnivore | USA, Montana; Hell Creek Formation | Taxonomic Status Restored: Definitively validated as a unique, agile genus distinct from T. rex. Sits outside Tyrannosauridae. |
| Family Tyrannosauridae | |||||||
| Albertosaurus sarcophagus | "Alberta lizard" ("flesh-eater"). | Tyrannosaurinae | Late Cretaceous (~71–68 Ma) | Height: 2.8 m
Length: 8–9 m Mass: 1,800–2,500 kg |
Carnivore | Canada (Alberta); Horseshoe Canyon Formation | Gracile cousin to T. rex. Bonebeds suggest gregarious, pack-hunting mechanics for taking down hadrosaurs. |
| Alioramus altai | "Different branch" (refers to Altai Mountains). | Alioramini | Late Cretaceous (~70 Ma) | Height: 2 m
Length: 5–6 m Mass: 700–800 kg |
Carnivore | Mongolia; Nemegt Formation | Features a long, low snout lined with a row of five distinct bony bumps or vertical crests. |
| Gorgosaurus libratus | "Fierce lizard" ("balanced"). | Albertosaurinae | Late Cretaceous (~76–75 Ma) | Height: 2.8 m
Length: 8–9 m Mass: 2,000–2,800 kg |
Carnivore | North America; Dinosaur Park Formation | Apex predator that coexisted alongside Daspletosaurus, likely targeting different speed categories of prey. |
| Qianzhousaurus sinensis | "Qanzhou lizard" (from China). | Alioramini | Late Cretaceous (~72–66 Ma) | Height: 2.2 m
Length: 8–9 m Mass: 750–1,000 kg |
Carnivore | China; Nanxiong Formation | Nicknamed "Pinocchio rex" due to its remarkably elongated, hyper-slender snout profile. |
| Tarbosaurus bataar | "Alarming lizard" (derived from Mongolian baatar, "hero"). | Tyrannosaurinae | Late Cretaceous (~70–68 Ma) | Height: 3.5 m
Length: 10–12 m Mass: 4,000–5,000 kg |
Carnivore | Mongolia; Nemegt Formation | The Asian ecological equivalent to T. rex, sporting slightly more rigid skulls but even smaller, more vestigial forelimbs. |
| Tyrannosaurus rex | "Tyrant lizard king". | Tyrannosaurinae | Late Cretaceous (~68–66 Ma) | Height: 3.6–6.2 m
Length: 12–15.3 m Mass: 8,000–16,000 kg |
Carnivore / Scavenger | North America; Hell Creek Formation | Possessed arguably the highest bite force among terrestrial animals and highly developed stereoscopic vision. |
| Family Megaraptoridae | |||||||
| Megaraptor namunhuaiquii | "Huge robber" (Mapuche dialect for "foot lance"). | Megaraptora / Coelurosauria | Late Cretaceous (~89–86 Ma) | Height: 2.4 m
Length: 8–9 m Mass: 1,000 kg |
Carnivore | Argentina; Portezuelo Formation | Initially mistaken for a dromaeosaur due to a massive 35 cm claw, which actually belonged to its thumb/hand. |
| Family Compsognathidae | |||||||
| Compsognathus longipes | "Elegant jaw" ("long foot"). | Compsognathidae | Late Jurassic (~150 Ma) | Height: 0.3 m
Length: 1.2 m Mass: 2–3.5 kg |
Carnivore (lizards, insects) | Germany, France; Solnhofen Limestone | Historically celebrated as the size baseline for the smallest known dinosaur. Preserved with lizards in its stomach. |
| Family Proceratosauridae | |||||||
| Proceratosaurus bradleyi | "Before Ceratosaurus" (honors F. Bradley). | Proceratosauridae | Middle Jurassic (~166 Ma) | Height: 0.6 m
Length: 3 m Mass: 40 kg |
Carnivore | England; Forest Marble Formation | The earliest known relative of the tyrannosauroids, carrying a distinct sagittal crest atop its nasal bones. |
| Yutyrannus huali | "Feathered tyrant" (Mandarin huali, "beautiful"). | Proceratosauridae | Early Cretaceous (~125 Ma) | Height: 2.8 m
Length: 9 m Mass: 1,400 kg |
Carnivore | China; Yixian Formation | The largest directly verified feathered dinosaur discovered, proving large theropods retained feathers for insulation. |
| Family Ornithomimidae | |||||||
| Archaeornithomimus asiaticus | "Ancient bird mimic" (from Asia). | Ornithomimosauria | Late Cretaceous (~96–70 Ma) | Height: 1.1 m
Length: 3.4 m Mass: 50–90 kg |
Herbivore / Omnivore | China; Iren Dabasu Formation | A basal ornithomimid displaying more robust foot structures than its later, hyper-specialized North American descendants. |
| Dromiceiomimus samueli | "Emu mimic" (honors benefactor Sigmund Samuel). | Ornithomimosauria | Late Cretaceous (~76 Ma) | Height: 1.4 m
Length: 3.6 m Mass: 100–150 kg |
Herbivore / Omnivore | Canada (Alberta); Dinosaur Park Formation | Evaluated as a valid genus distinct from Ornithomimus based on differing limb and curved claw dimensions. |
| Gallimimus bullatus | "Chicken mimic" (bubble-like structure at base of skull). | Ornithomimosauria | Late Cretaceous (~70 Ma) | Height: 2.0 m
Length: 6–8 m Mass: 400–450 kg |
Herbivore / Omnivore | Mongolia; Nemegt Formation | The largest of the classic "ostrich-dinosaurs," built for high-speed evasion in desert and river basin ecosystems. |
| Harpymimus okladnikovi | "Harpy mimic" (honors paleontologist A. P. Okladnikov). | Basal Ornithomimosauria | Early Cretaceous (~110 Ma) | Height: 1 m
Length: 3 m Mass: 50 kg |
Herbivore / Omnivore | Mongolia; Shinekhudag Formation | Crucial transitional taxon; unlike later toothless ornithomimids, it retained 11 tiny teeth at the front of its lower jaw. |
| Ornithomimus velox | "Bird mimic" ("swift"). | Ornithomimosauria | Late Cretaceous (~66 Ma) | Height: 1.5 m
Length: 3.8 m Mass: 150–170 kg |
Herbivore / Omnivore | USA (Colorado); Denver Formation | The type species of the group. Exhibited a completely toothless beak, exceptionally large eyes, and long cursorial legs. |
| Struthiomimus altus | "Ostrich mimic" ("tall"). | Ornithomimosauria | Late Cretaceous (~76–74 Ma) | Height: 1.4 m
Length: 4.3 m Mass: 150 kg |
Herbivore / Omnivore | Canada, USA; Dinosaur Park Formation | Strongly adapted for running, possessing highly elongated hands with tightly curved claws for stripping vegetation. |
| Family Deinocheiridae | |||||||
| Deinocheirus mirificus | "Unusual horrible hand". | Ornithomimosauria | Late Cretaceous (~70 Ma) | Height: 6 m (including head)
Length: 16.5 m Mass: 6,500 kg |
Omnivore (plants, fish) | Mongolia; Nemegt Formation | A bizarre, giant ornithomimosaur carrying a spoon-shaped duck bill, a heavy sail-back hump, and huge 2.4-meter arms. |
Complete Maniraptoriformes & Deinonychosauria Reference Chart
| Genus & Species | Name Meaning / Etymology | Clade / Suborder | Temporal Range | Height / Length / Mass | Diet | Location & Formations | Key Anatomical & Ecological Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ORDER SAURISCHIA | |||||||
| SUBORDER THEROPODA | |||||||
| MANIRAPTORIFORMES | |||||||
| Family Oviraptoridae (inc. basal forms) | |||||||
| Caudipteryx dongi | "Tail feather" (honors paleontologist Zhiming Dong). | Oviraptorosauria | Early Cretaceous (~124 Ma) | Height: 0.6 m
Length: 0.9 m Mass: 2.2 kg |
Omnivore / Herbivore | China; Yixian Formation | Preserved with clear pennaceous feathers forming a fan on its tail and arms. Found with gizzard stones (gastroliths) inside. |
| Chirostenotes pergracilis | "Narrow-handed" ("very graceful"). | Caenagnathidae / Oviraptorosauria | Late Cretaceous (~76.5 Ma) | Height: 1.0 m
Length: 2.5 m Mass: 60 kg |
Omnivore | Canada (Alberta); Dinosaur Park Formation | Possessed highly elongated, slender fingers used for probing crevices, a toothless beak, and long, cursorial legs. |
| Conchoraptor gracilis | "Conch robber" ("slender"). | Oviraptoridae | Late Cretaceous (~70 Ma) | Height: 0.8 m
Length: 1.5 m Mass: 20 kg |
Omnivore / Hard-food specialist | Mongolia; Nemegt Formation | Lacked a bony head crest. Possessed a heavily reinforced skull and beak adapted for crushing tough food items. |
| Oviraptor philoceratops | "Egg robber" ("fond of ceratopsian eggs"). | Oviraptoridae | Late Cretaceous (~75 Ma) | Height: 1.0 m
Length: 1.6 m Mass: 35–40 kg |
Omnivore | Mongolia; Djadokhta Formation | Misunderstood History: Misnamed when found atop a nest; later discoveries proved it was brooding its own eggs as a devoted parent. |
| Family Therizinosauridae | |||||||
| Erlikosaurus andrewsi | "Erlik's lizard" (demon king of Mongolian lore; honors Roy Chapman Andrews). | Therizinosauria | Late Cretaceous (~92 Ma) | Height: 1.5 m
Length: 4.5 m Mass: 400–500 kg |
Herbivore | Mongolia; Bayan Shireh Formation | Provides the only known complete skull for a therizinosaur, revealing a specialized toothless beak at the front of its jaws. |
| Segnosaurus galbinensis | "Slow lizard" (from Galbin region). | Therizinosauria | Late Cretaceous (~96–92 Ma) | Height: 2.2 m
Length: 6–7 m Mass: 1,300 kg |
Herbivore | Mongolia; Bayan Shireh Formation | A heavy-set, slow-moving therizinosaur with a remarkably broad pelvis, short legs, and unique downward-turned lower jaws. |
| Therizinosaurus cheloniformis | "Scythe lizard" ("turtle-shaped"). | Therizinosauria | Late Cretaceous (~70 Ma) | Height: 4.5–5 m
Length: 9–10 m Mass: 5,000 kg |
Herbivore | Mongolia; Nemegt Formation | A giant, pot-bellied herbivorous theropod armed with massive, sickle-shaped hand claws reaching up to 1 meter in length. |
| INFRAORDER DEINONYCHOSAURIA | |||||||
| Family Dromaeosauridae | |||||||
| Atrociraptor marshalli | "Savage robber" (honors discoverer Wayne Marshall). | Saurornitholestinae / Dromaeosauridae | Late Cretaceous (~68.5 Ma) | Height: 0.7 m
Length: 2.0 m Mass: 15 kg |
Carnivore | Canada (Alberta); Horseshoe Canyon Formation | Distinct from other dromaeosaurs due to its shorter, much deeper skull and heavily angled, robust teeth. |
| Bambiraptor feinbergi | "Bambi robber" (named after the Disney character; honors the Feinberg family). | Saurornitholestinae / Dromaeosauridae | Late Cretaceous (~72 Ma) | Height: 0.4 m
Length: 0.9 m Mass: 2 kg |
Carnivore (small game) | USA (Montana); Two Medicine Formation | Known from a stunningly complete juvenile skeleton. Possessed an exceptionally large brain-to-body mass ratio. |
| Deinonychus antirrhopus | "Terrible claw" ("counter-balancing," referring to the tail). | Dromaeosaurinae / Dromaeosauridae | Early Cretaceous (~115–108 Ma) | Height: 1.0 m
Length: 3.4 m Mass: 73–100 kg |
Carnivore | USA (Montana, Wyoming); Cloverly Formation | The species that sparked the "Dinosaur Renaissance." Proved dinosaurs were warm-blooded, active, and highly agile. |
| Hesperonychus elizabethae | "Western claw" (honors paleontologist Elizabeth Nicholls). | Microraptoria / Dromaeosauridae | Late Cretaceous (~76.5 Ma) | Height: 0.25 m
Length: 1.0 m Mass: 2 kg |
Carnivore / Insectivore | Canada (Alberta); Dinosaur Park Formation | One of the smallest carnivorous dinosaurs found in North America. A late-surviving, specialized running microraptorian. |
| Pyroraptor olympius | "Fire robber of Mount Olympus" (found after a forest fire at the mountain foot). | Dromaeosauridae | Late Cretaceous (~70.6 Ma) | Height: 0.6 m
Length: 1.6 m Mass: 30 kg |
Carnivore | France; Argiles Rutilantes Formation | Classic European island-dwelling dromaeosaur. Arm and toe bones display highly developed, curved predatory claws. |
| Saurornitholestes sullivani | "Lizard-bird robber" (honors paleontologist Robert Sullivan). | Saurornitholestinae / Dromaeosauridae | Late Cretaceous (~73 Ma) | Height: 0.6 m
Length: 1.8 m Mass: 10 kg |
Carnivore | USA (New Mexico); Kirtland Formation | Features an unusually large olfactory bulb structure, indicating a highly acute sense of smell for tracking prey. |
| Utahraptor ostrommaysi | "Utah robber" (honors John Ostrom and Chris Mays). | Dromaeosaurinae / Dromaeosauridae | Early Cretaceous (~135–130 Ma) | Height: 1.8–2 m
Length: 5–6 m Mass: 300–500 kg |
Carnivore | USA (Utah); Cedar Mountain Formation | A colossal, heavily built dromaeosaur. Possessed massive, thick leg bones and a 24 cm switchblade-like toe claw. |
| Velociraptor osmolskae | "Swift robber" (honors Polish paleontologist Halszka Osmólska). | Velociraptorinae / Dromaeosauridae | Late Cretaceous (~75 Ma) | Height: 0.5 m
Length: 2.0 m Mass: 15 kg |
Carnivore | Mongolia / China; Bayan Mandahu Formation | Sister species to V. mongoliensis. Distinguished by subtle differences in its long, upturned maxillary bone structure. |
| Family Saurornithoididae (Troodontidae) | |||||||
| Troodon formosus | "Wounding tooth" ("beautiful"). | Troodontidae | Late Cretaceous (~77 Ma) | Height: 1.0 m
Length: 2.4 m Mass: 50 kg |
Omnivore / Carnivore | USA (Montana); Judith River Formation | Famous for its large, closely spaced, serrated teeth. Known historically as one of the most intelligent non-avian dinosaurs. |
| AVIALAE / EARLY BIRDS | |||||||
| Family Archaeopterygidae | |||||||
| Archaeopteryx albersdoerferi | "Ancient wing" (honors fossil collector Raimund Albersdörfer). | Avialae / Basal Bird | Late Jurassic (~150 Ma) | Height: 0.25 m
Length: 0.5 m Mass: 0.5–1 kg |
Carnivore / Insectivore | Germany; Solnhofen Limestone | The 8th skeletal specimen discovered. Showcases transitional skeletal features merging theropod teeth with avian flight structures. |
| Family Alexornithidae | |||||||
| Alexornis antecedens | "Alex's bird" (honors Alexander Wetmore; "ancestral"). | Enantiornithes / Aves | Late Cretaceous (~73 Ma) | Height: 0.1 m
Length: 0.2 m Mass: 0.1 kg |
Insectivore / Carnivore | Mexico (Baja California); El Gallo Formation | A specialized "opposite bird" matching the size of a sparrow. Crucial for understanding the evolutionary radiation of Cretaceous land birds. |
Complete Basal Sauropodomorpha & "Prosauropoda" Reference Chart
| Genus & Species | Name Meaning / Etymology | Clade / Suborder | Temporal Range | Height / Length / Mass | Diet | Location & Formations | Key Anatomical & Ecological Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ORDER SAURISCHIA | |||||||
| SUBORDER SAUROPODOMORPHA | |||||||
| Family Herrerasauridae | |||||||
| Herrerasaurus ischigualastensis | "Herrera's lizard from Ischigualasto" (honors goat rancher Victorino Herrera). | Herrerasauria / Basal Saurischia | Late Triassic (~231–228 Ma) | Height: 1.2–1.5 m
Length: 3–6 m Mass: 200–350 kg |
Carnivore | Argentina; Ischigualasto Formation | One of the earliest true dinosaurs. Highly specialized predatory jaws with a flexible sliding joint to help hold struggling prey. |
| Staurikosaurus pricei | "Southern Cross lizard" (honors paleontologist Llewellyn Ivor Price). | Herrerasauria / Basal Saurischia | Late Triassic (~233–230 Ma) | Height: 0.8 m
Length: 2–2.5 m Mass: 30 kg |
Carnivore | Brazil; Santa Maria Formation | A slender, highly agile bipedal hunter. Possessed a long tail and a deep jaw lined with backwards-curving teeth. |
| Family Anchisauridae | |||||||
| Anchisaurus polyzelus | "Close-to lizard" ("much sought-for"). | Anchisauria / Sauropodomorpha | Early Jurassic (~195–190 Ma) | Height: 0.6 m
Length: 2–2.5 m Mass: 20–30 kg |
Herbivore / Omnivore | USA (Connecticut); Portland Formation | The first dinosaur discovered in North America (1818). A small, lightly built browser capable of shifting between bipedal and quadrupedal movement. |
| Efraasia minor | "Efraim's lizard" (honors paleontologist Eberhard Fraas). | Basal Sauropodomorpha | Late Triassic (~210 Ma) | Height: 0.7 m
Length: 6 m Mass: 300 kg |
Herbivore | Germany; Löwenstein Formation | Originally confused with small theropods and Sellosaurus. An elongated, slender-limbed browser with remarkably primitive hand mechanics. |
| Smurfette smurfiness | "Smurfy character of the Smurf village" (a playful fictional inclusion!). | Fictional / Mushroom-Clade / Sauropodomorpha | Modern Era | Height: 0.15 m
Length: N/A Mass: <1 kg |
Herbivore (Sarsaparilla berries) | Smurf Village; Gargamel Sands | Pop-Culture Check: Non-dinosaurian addition! Known for iconic white clothing, high agility, and a strong resistance to wizard alchemy. |
| Thecodontosaurus antiquus | "Socket-toothed ancient lizard". | Basal Sauropodomorpha | Late Triassic (~205 Ma) | Height: 0.3 m
Length: 1.2–2 m Mass: 10–20 kg |
Herbivore / Omnivore | United Kingdom; Magnesian Conglomerate | Discovered in Bristol quarries. It represents a vital transitional evolutionary stage showing early spoon-shaped teeth adapted for plants. |
| Family Plateosauridae | |||||||
| Coloradisaurus brevis | "Los Colorados lizard" ("short," referring to its brief snout). | Massospondylidae / Sauropodomorpha | Late Triassic (~210 Ma) | Height: 1.0 m
Length: 3–4 m Mass: 150–200 kg |
Herbivore | Argentina; Los Colorados Formation | A gracile, short-snouted sauropodomorph. Long debated to potentially represent the fully grown adult form of the tiny Mussaurus. |
| Massospondylus kaalae | "Elongated vertebra of Kaala". | Massospondylidae / Sauropodomorpha | Early Jurassic (~200–183 Ma) | Height: 1.5 m
Length: 4–5 m Mass: 300–400 kg |
Herbivore / Omnivore | South Africa; Elliot Formation | Distinct from M. carinatus due to unique skull proportions and a strong ridge along its lacrimal bone. Possessed prominent Heterodont-like teeth. |
| Plateosaurus gracilis | "Broad lizard" ("slender"). | Plateosauridae / Sauropodomorpha | Late Triassic (~214–204 Ma) | Height: 1.5 m
Length: 4–5 m Mass: 400–600 kg |
Herbivore | Germany; Löwenstein Formation | Formerly classified as Sellosaurus gracilis. A smaller, geologically older ancestor to the massive P. trossingensis. |
| Family Melanorosauridae | |||||||
| Lufengosaurus magnus | "Lufeng lizard" ("large"). | Massospondylidae / Sauropodomorpha | Early Jurassic (~195–190 Ma) | Height: 2.2 m
Length: 6 m Mass: 1,500–2,000 kg |
Herbivore | China; Lufeng Formation | The first complete dinosaur skeleton fully mounted and exhibited in China (1941). Possessed sharp claws and widely spaced teeth. |
| Riojasaurus incertus | "La Rioja lizard" ("uncertain"). | Melanorosauridae / Sauropodomorpha | Late Triassic (~215–210 Ma) | Height: 2.5 m
Length: 6.6–10 m Mass: 2,000–3,000 kg |
Herbivore | Argentina; Los Colorados Formation | A heavily built, fully quadrupedal giant. Unlike lighter prosauropods, its dense leg bones meant it could not rear up on two legs. |
Complete Sauropoda Reference Chart
| Genus & Species | Name Meaning / Etymology | Clade / Suborder | Temporal Range | Height / Length / Mass | Diet | Location & Formations | Key Anatomical & Ecological Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ORDER SAURISCHIA | |||||||
| SUBORDER SAUROPODOMORPHA | |||||||
| INFRAORDER SAUROPODA | |||||||
| Family Cetiosauridae (inc. basal Eusauropoda) | |||||||
| Barapasaurus tagorei | "Big-legged lizard" (honors poet Rabindranath Tagore). | Eusauropoda | Early Jurassic (~196–183 Ma) | Height: 3.5–4 m
Length: 12–14 m Mass: 7,000 kg |
Herbivore | India; Kota Formation | One of the earliest known large eusauropods. Possessed slender limbs and primitive, spoon-shaped teeth with coarse serrations. |
| Jobaria tiguidensis | "Jobar" (a mythical Tuareg monster; from Tiguidit cliff). | Eusauropoda / Macronaria | Early Cretaceous (~135–132 Ma) | Height: 4.5 m
Length: 16–18 m Mass: 16,000–22,400 kg |
Herbivore | Niger; Tiourarén Formation | Retained primitive, short neck vertebrae and a spoon-shaped tooth structure despite surviving well into the Cretaceous period. |
| Patagosaurus fariasi | "Patagonian lizard" (honors landowner Ricardo Farias). | Eusauropoda / Cetiosauridae | Middle Jurassic (~165–161 Ma) | Height: 3.8 m
Length: 14–15 m Mass: 8,000–10,000 kg |
Herbivore | Argentina; Cañadón Asfalto Formation | Anatomically intermediate between Barapasaurus and Cetiosaurus. Known from multiple specimens, including juveniles. |
| Family Brachiosauridae | |||||||
| Brachiosaurus altithorax | "Arm lizard" ("deep chest"). | Brachiosauridae / Macronaria | Late Jurassic (~154–150 Ma) | Height: 12–15 m
Length: 21–24 m Mass: 35,000–56,000 kg |
Herbivore (High-browser) | India / USA (Colorado, Utah); Morrison / Kota Formation | Famously built with forelimbs much longer than its hindlimbs, creating a naturally inclined neck suited for high-canopy grazing. |
| Europasaurus holgeri | "European lizard" (honors discoverer Holger Lüdtke). | Brachiosauridae / Macronaria | Late Jurassic (~154 Ma) | Height: 1.5–1.8 m
Length: 6 m Mass: 800–1,000 kg |
Herbivore | Germany; Süntel Formation | A striking example of insular dwarfism; evolved a tiny size profile due to restricted resources on a Jurassic island. |
| Giraffatitan brancai | "Giant giraffe" (honors paleontologist Wilhelm von Branca). | Brachiosauridae / Macronaria | Late Jurassic (~150–145 Ma) | Height: 13–13.3 m
Length: 22–23 m Mass: 30,000–40,000 kg |
Herbivore (High-browser) | Tanzania; Tendaguru Formation | One of the largest nearly complete dinosaur skeletons ever mounted (Berlin Museum). Features a hyper-elevated nasal crest. |
| Sauroposeidon proteles | "Lizard earthquake god" ("perfected before the end"). | Somphospondyli / Brachiosauridae | Early Cretaceous (~112 Ma) | Height: 16–18 m
Length: 28–34 m Mass: 40,000–60,000 kg |
Herbivore (High-browser) | USA (Oklahoma, Texas); Antlers Formation | Arguably the tallest known dinosaur. Possessed highly elongated neck vertebrae with honeycombed internal bone structures. |
| Family Camarasauridae (inc. basal Titanosauriformes) | |||||||
| Camarasaurus supremus | "Chambered lizard" ("greatest"). | Camarasauridae / Macronaria | Late Jurassic (~155–145 Ma) | Height: 4.5–8 m
Length: 15–18 m Mass: 15,000–23,000 kg |
Herbivore | USA (Wyoming, Colorado); Morrison Formation | Highly common Late Jurassic sauropod. Characterized by a short, boxy skull and hollow, weight-reducing chambers in its vertebrae. |
| Euhelopus zdanskyi | "True marsh foot" (honors paleontologist Otto Zdansky). | Euhelopodidae / Macronaria | Early Cretaceous (~129–113 Ma) | Height: 3.5 m
Length: 11–15 m Mass: 3,500–4,000 kg |
Herbivore | China; Mengyin Formation | Features an unusually long neck and short snout. Notable for having more primitive teeth than its later titanosaur descendants. |
| Opisthocoelicaudia skarzynskii | "Rear-hollow tail" (honors paleontology researcher Krystyna Skarżyńska). | Saltasauridae / Titanosauria | Late Cretaceous (~70 Ma) | Height: 3.5 m
Length: 11–13 m Mass: 8,500–10,000 kg |
Herbivore | Mongolia; Nemegt Formation | Lacked a skull at discovery. Possessed unique ball-and-socket tail joints that allowed it to prop itself up on its tail to graze. |
| Family Diplodocidae (inc. non-diplodocid long-necks) | |||||||
| Antarctosaurus giganteus | "Southern lizard" ("gigantic"). | Titanosauria | Late Cretaceous (~86–83 Ma) | Height: 12.5 m
Length: 30 m Mass: 40,000–69,000 kg |
Herbivore | Argentina; Plottier Formation | Taxonomy Check: Historically grouped with various clades, it is actually a massive titanosaur. Known for huge, over 2-meter-long femora. |
| Apatosaurus ajax | "Deceptive lizard" (named for its reptile-whale likeness; honors Greek hero Ajax). | Diplodocidae | Late Jurassic (~152–151 Ma) | Height: 6.5 m
Length: 21–27 m Mass: 16,000–22,400 kg |
Herbivore (Ground/Low-browser) | USA (Colorado, Utah); Morrison Formation | Thick-necked and heavily robust. Famously distinct from its sister genus Brontosaurus due to key differences in scapula and tail build. |
| Barosaurus lentus | "Heavy lizard" ("slow"). | Diplodocidae | Late Jurassic (~155–152 Ma) | Height: 18.5 m
Length: 25–37 m Mass: 12,000–30,000 kg |
Herbivore | USA (South Dakota, Utah); Morrison Formation | Close cousin to Diplodocus, but sported a significantly elongated neck coupled with a correspondingly shorter tail section. |
| Diplodocus hallorum | "Double beam" (two-pronged tail chevrons; honors Jim and Carol Hall). | Diplodocidae | Late Jurassic (~154–152 Ma) | Height: 4.5–6 m
Length: 29–33 m Mass: 13,000–16,000 kg |
Herbivore (Ground/Low-browser) | USA (New Mexico); Morrison Formation | Formerly known as Seismosaurus. Equipped with an incredibly long, whip-like tail tip capable of producing supersonic cracks. |
| Mamenchisaurus sinocanadorum | "Mamenxi lizard" (honors the joint Sino-Canadian expeditions). | Mamenchisauridae / Eusauropoda | Late Jurassic (~160 Ma) | Height: 16.5 m
Length: 26–35 m Mass: 25,000–60,000 kg |
Herbivore | China; Shishugou Formation | Taxonomy Check: A basal eusauropod rather than a true diplodocid. Holds some of the longest cervical vertebrae ever found. |
| Notocolossus gonzalezparejasi | "Southern colossus" (honors attorney Jorge González Parejas). | Titanosauria | Late Cretaceous (~86 Ma) | Height: 15.5 m
Length: 25–28 m Mass: 40,000–60,000 kg |
Herbivore | Argentina; Plotiier Formation | Taxonomy Check: A massive lithostrotian titanosaur. Features unique, highly compact humerus and foot skeletal anatomy. |
| Supersaurus vivianae | "Super lizard" (honors discoverer Vivian Jones). | Diplodocidae | Late Jurassic (~153 Ma) | Height: 21.5 m
Length: 39–50 m Mass: 32,000–40,000 kg |
Herbivore (Low-browser) | USA (Colorado, Wyoming); Morrison Formation | One of the longest verified dinosaurs known from decent skeletal remains. An exceptionally stretched-out diplodocid body design. |
| Family Titanosauridae (Titanosauria) | |||||||
| Argentinosaurus huinculensis | "Argentine lizard from Plaza Huincul". | Titanosauria | Late Cretaceous (~96–94 Ma) | Height: 7–20.8 m
Length: 30–42 m Mass: 70,000–90,000 kg |
Herbivore | Argentina; Huincul Formation | Widely considered the heaviest land animal ever discovered, displaying massive, solid spinal vertebrae. |
| Dreadnoughtus schrani | "Fears nothing" (like twentieth-century battleships; honors Adam Schran). | Titanosauria | Late Cretaceous (~77 Ma) | Height: 18.6 m
Length: 26 m Mass: 38,000–49,000 kg |
Herbivore | Argentina; Cerro Fortaleza Formation | Preserved with over 70% of its postcranial skeleton, making it the most anatomically complete giant titanosaur known. |
| Patagotitan mayorum | "Patagonian titan" (honors the Mayo ranching family). | Titanosauria | Late Cretaceous (~101 Ma) | Height: 16 m
Length: 37 m Mass: 62,000–70,000 kg |
Herbivore | Argentina; Cerro Barcino Formation | A staggering colossus discovered in 2014. Yielded an abundance of beautifully preserved bones from multiple individuals. |
| Saltasaurus loricatus | "Lizard from Salta Province" ("armored"). | Saltasauridae / Titanosauria | Late Cretaceous (~70–66 Ma) | Height: 1.5–2 m
Length: 8.5 m Mass: 2,500–3,500 kg |
Herbivore | Argentina; Lecho Formation | Revolutionized sauropod biology upon discovery; its back was covered in an array of bony, armored scutes and osteoderms. |
Ornithischia
Complete Ornithopoda & Basal Cerapoda Reference Chart
| Genus & Species | Name Meaning / Etymology | Clade / Suborder | Temporal Range | Height / Length / Mass | Diet | Location & Formations | Key Anatomical & Ecological Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ORDER ORNITHISCHIA | |||||||
| SUBORDER CERAPODA | |||||||
| INFRAORDER ORNITHOPODA | |||||||
| Family Fabrosauridae (inc. basal forms) | |||||||
| Gongbusaurus wucaiwanensis | "Gongbu (Ministry of Public Works) lizard from Wucaiwan". | Basal Ornithischia | Late Jurassic (~161–157 Ma) | Height: 0.4 m
Length: 1.3–1.5 m Mass: 15–20 kg |
Herbivore | China; Shishugou Formation | A small, bipedal runner with simple, leaf-shaped teeth. Originally based on teeth, its exact taxonomic positioning remains highly debated. |
| Lesothosaurus diagnosticus | "Lizard from Lesotho" (diagnosed by unique jaw traits). | Basal Ornithischia | Early Jurassic (~200–189 Ma) | Height: 0.4 m
Length: 1–2 m Mass: 8–10 kg |
Herbivore / Omnivore | Lesotho, South Africa; Upper Elliot Formation | A hyper-primitive, slender-limbed runner. Fossil bonebeds suggest it may have undergone seasonal estivation (hibernation during hot/dry periods). |
| Scutellosaurus lawleri | "Little-shielded lizard" (honors discoverer David Lawler). | Thyreophora | Early Jurassic (~196 Ma) | Height: 0.3 m
Length: 1.2 m Mass: 3 kg |
Herbivore | USA (Arizona); Kayenta Formation | Taxonomy Check: Actually a basal armored dinosaur rather than an ornithopod. Possessed a long tail and hundreds of tiny bony scutes running down its back. |
| Tucker "Tuck" Cornelius Carbunkle | "Weapon maker" / "Jeweled button" (A fictional pop-culture entry!). | Fictional / Automaton Clade / Ornithischia | Modern Era | Height: 1.4 m
Length: N/A Mass: 45 kg |
Omnivore (Mechanical parts) | Tremorton; Teenage Robot Formations | Pop-Culture Check: Non-dinosaurian addition! A classic hyperactive, small, human-companion automaton. Possesses extreme agility, mechanical versatility, and highly expressive optics. |
| Family Heterodontosauridae | |||||||
| Echinodon becklesii | "Prickly tooth" (honors fossil collector Samuel Beckles). | Heterodontosauridae | Early Cretaceous (~140 Ma) | Height: 0.2 m
Length: 0.6 m Mass: 0.5–1 kg |
Herbivore / Omnivore | United Kingdom; Purbeck Group | One of the last surviving heterodontosaurids. A tiny biped distinguished by caniniform teeth and unique multi-cusped cheek teeth. |
| Heterodontosaurus tucki | "Different-toothed lizard" (honors G.C. Tuck). | Heterodontosauridae | Early Jurassic (~200–190 Ma) | Height: 0.35 m
Length: 1.2–1.7 m Mass: 2–3.5 kg |
Herbivore / Omnivore | South Africa; Upper Elliot Formation | Famous for its three distinct types of teeth: incisors for nipping, long canine-like tusks, and flat cheek teeth for grinding tough plant matter. |
| Family Hypsilophodontidae (inc. non-hadrosaurid browsers) | |||||||
| Callovosaurus leedsi | "Callovian lizard" (named for the geological stage; honors Alfred Leeds). | Dryomorpha / Ankylopollexia | Middle Jurassic (~165 Ma) | Height: 0.8 m
Length: 2.5 m Mass: 120 kg |
Herbivore | United Kingdom; Oxford Clay Formation | Recognized as the oldest known iguanodontian dinosaur, marking a crucial step away from basic hypsilophodonts toward larger duck-bills. |
| Dryosaurus elderae | "Oak lizard" (honors park ranger/paleontologist Ann Elder). | Dryosauridae | Late Jurassic (~155–150 Ma) | Height: 1.2 m
Length: 2.5–3 m Mass: 70–90 kg |
Herbivore | USA (Utah, Wyoming); Morrison Formation | Lacked any teeth at the front of its mouth, utilizing a sharp beak instead. Built with extremely long, powerful hindlegs for escaping predators. |
| Hypsilophodon foxii | "High-crested tooth" (honors Reverend William Fox). | Hypsilophodontidae | Early Cretaceous (~130–125 Ma) | Height: 0.6 m
Length: 1.5–1.8 m Mass: 20 kg |
Herbivore | United Kingdom; Vectis Formation | A fleet-footed browser once mistakenly thought to live in trees like a modern tree-kangaroo due to its gripping toe structure. |
| Iani smithi | "Janus" (two-faced Roman god of transitions; honors paleontologist Joshua Smith). | Rhabdodontomorpha | Late Cretaceous (~99 Ma) | Height: 1.4 m
Length: 3–3.5 m Mass: 150 kg |
Herbivore | USA (Utah); Cedar Mountain Formation | A critical transitional species representing a changing landscape just before the massive radiation of true duck-billed hadrosaurs. |
| Leaellynasaura amicagraphica | "Leaellyn's lizard" (honors Leaellyn Rich; species acknowledges the Friends of the Museum). | Elasmaria | Early Cretaceous (~118–110 Ma) | Height: 0.3 m
Length: 0.9–1.2 m Mass: 3 kg |
Herbivore | Australia; Eumeralla Formation | Lived inside the Antarctic Circle. Possessed an unusually long tail and massive eye sockets, indicating specialized night vision for the polar winter darkness. |
| Qantassaurus intrepidus | "Qantas lizard" (honors the Qantas airline; "intrepid"). | Elasmaria | Early Cretaceous (~115 Ma) | Height: 0.5 m
Length: 1.4–1.8 m Mass: 12–15 kg |
Herbivore | Australia; Wonthaggi Formation | Another polar dinosaur. Had a short, deep skull with a muscular jaw, allowing it to chew highly fibrous sub-Antarctic vegetation. |
| Parksosaurus warreni | "Parks' lizard" (honors William Parks; honors Freeman Warren). | Thescelosauridae | Late Cretaceous (~70 Ma) | Height: 1.0 m
Length: 2.5 m Mass: 45–60 kg |
Herbivore | Canada (Alberta); Horseshoe Canyon Formation | A small, late-surviving bipedal ornithopod that safely shared its forest environment with massive duck-bills like Edmontosaurus. |
| Tenontosaurus dossi | "Sinew lizard" (honors rancher James Doss). | Basal Iguanodontia | Early Cretaceous (~112 Ma) | Height: 2.2 m
Length: 6.5–7 m Mass: 1,000–1,200 kg |
Herbivore | USA (Texas); Twin Mountains Formation | Larger than the classic T. tilletti, this species features a highly elongated tail stiffened by a dense criss-cross pattern of ossified tendons. |
| Thescelosaurus garbanii | "Wonderful lizard" (honors paleontologist Harley Garbani). | Thescelosauridae | Late Cretaceous (~66 Ma) | Height: 1.2 m
Length: 3.5–4 m Mass: 200–300 kg |
Herbivore | USA (Montana); Hell Creek Formation | A heavily built, low-slung runner that lived right up to the K-Pg extinction event. Possessed small dermal scales on its chest cavity. |
| Valdosaurus canaliculatus | "Wealden lizard" (referring to the geological group; "channeled"). | Dryosauridae | Early Cretaceous (~130–125 Ma) | Height: 1.0 m
Length: 3–4 m Mass: 150 kg |
Herbivore | United Kingdom; Weald Clay Formation | Highly closely related to Dryosaurus, displaying beautifully adapted femur features designed for specialized high-speed running. |
Complete Advanced Iguanodontia & Hadrosauridae Reference Chart
| Genus & Species | Name Meaning / Etymology | Clade / Suborder | Temporal Range | Height / Length / Mass | Diet | Location & Formations | Key Anatomical & Ecological Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ORDER ORNITHISCHIA | |||||||
| SUBORDER CERAPODA | |||||||
| INFRAORDER ORNITHOPODA | |||||||
| Family Iguanodontidae (inc. basal Styracosterna) | |||||||
| Camptosaurus dispar | "Flexible lizard" ("dissimilar," due to distinct vertebrae types). | Ankylopollexia / Iguanodontia | Late Jurassic (~156–147 Ma) | Height: 2.0 m
Length: 6–7.9 m Mass: 800–1,000 kg |
Herbivore | USA (Wyoming, Utah); Morrison Formation | A heavily built, intermediate iguanodontian. Possessed robust hindlimbs and specialized hands with a small thumb spike. |
| Hippodraco scutodens | "Horse dragon" ("shield tooth"). | Styracosterna / Iguanodontia | Early Cretaceous (~124 Ma) | Height: 1.5 m
Length: 4.5 m Mass: 400–500 kg |
Herbivore | USA (Utah); Cedar Mountain Formation | Known from a well-preserved skull and partial skeleton. Provided critical insights into early Cretaceous ornithopod diversity in North America. |
| Iguanodon bernissartensis | "Iguana tooth" (from Bernissart, Belgium). | Iguanodontidae | Early Cretaceous (~126–122 Ma) | Height: 2.7–3.5 m
Length: 9–10 m Mass: 4,000–5,000 kg |
Herbivore | Belgium, Germany, UK; Sainte-Barbe Clays Formation | Famously discovered in a coal mine. Equipped with prehensile pinky fingers and sharp, conical thumb spikes for defense or stripping bark. |
| Muttaburrasaurus langdoni | "Muttaburra lizard" (honors discoverer Doug Langdon). | Rhabdodontomorpha | Early Cretaceous (~105–103 Ma) | Height: 2.5 m
Length: 7–8 m Mass: 2,800 kg |
Herbivore | Australia; Mackunda Formation | Taxonomy Check: A basal iguanodontian outside Iguanodontidae. Noted for a massive, hollow, bulbous snout likely used for vocal amplification or cooling. |
| Ouranosaurus nigeriensis | "Brave lizard" (Tuareg word for "varan/monitor"; from Niger). | Styracosterna / Iguanodontia | Early Cretaceous (~112 Ma) | Height: 2.5 m
Length: 7–8.3 m Mass: 2,200–4,000 kg |
Herbivore | Niger; Elrhaz Formation | Had long, tall neural spines running down its back, forming a specialized sail or fatty hump similar to modern bison. |
| Family Hadrosauridae (The Duck-Billed Giants) | |||||||
| Charonosaurus jiayinensis | "Charon's lizard" (mythological ferryman of the River Styx; from Jiayin). | Lambeosaurinae | Late Cretaceous (~66 Ma) | Height: 3.6 m
Length: 10 m Mass: 5,000–6,000 kg |
Herbivore | China; Yuliangze Formation | One of the last surviving dinosaurs, heavily resembling Parasaurolophus with a highly elongated, backward-pointing hollow head crest. |
| Corythosaurus casuarius | "Helmet lizard" (resembling a cassowary bird). | Lambeosaurinae | Late Cretaceous (~77–75 Ma) | Height: 3.5 m
Length: 8–9 m Mass: 3,800–4,500 kg |
Herbivore | Canada (Alberta) / USA (Wyoming); Dinosaur Park / Lance Formation | Possessed a tall, circular, plate-like nasal crest. Extensively preserved fossil mummies show fine, pebble-like skin scales across the body. |
| Edmontosaurus regalis | "Edmonton lizard" ("royal"). | Hadrosaurinae | Late Cretaceous (~73 Ma) | Height: 3.8–4 m
Length: 12–13 m Mass: 6,500–9,000 kg |
Herbivore | Canada (Alberta) / USA (Wyoming); Horseshoe Canyon / LanceFormation | A massive, crestless duck-bill. Exquisite mummified remains reveal it carried a fleshy, rooster-like cockscomb atop its head. |
| Gryposaurus latidens | "Hook-nosed lizard" ("broad tooth"). | Hadrosaurinae | Late Cretaceous (~76–75 Ma) | Height: 3.0 m
Length: 8–8.5 m Mass: 3,000 kg |
Herbivore | USA (Montana); Two Medicine Formation | Characterized by a prominent, arched nasal hump or "Roman nose" directly in front of its eyes. |
| Hypacrosaurus stebingeri | "Near the highest lizard" (honors the Stebinger family). | Lambeosaurinae | Late Cretaceous (~75 Ma) | Height: 3.5 m
Height: 8–9 m Mass: 4,000 kg |
Herbivore | USA (Montana); Two Medicine Formation | Possessed tall neural spines on its back and a rounded, helmet-like crest. Famous for extensively preserved nests, eggs, and embryos. |
| Kritosaurus navajovius | "Separated lizard" (from the Navajo Nation territory). | Hadrosaurinae | Late Cretaceous (~74 Ma) | Height: 3.2 m
Length: 9 m Mass: 3,500–4,000 kg |
Herbivore | USA (New Mexico); Kirtland Formation | Features a distinctive, rough, bony nasal arch. A highly robust generalist browser of the southern Laramidia continent. |
| Lambeosaurus magnicristatus | "Lambe's lizard" (honors Lawrence Lambe; "large crest"). | Lambeosaurinae | Late Cretaceous (~75 Ma) | Height: 3.8 m
Length: 9–10 m Mass: 4,500–5,000 kg |
Herbivore | Canada (Alberta); Dinosaur Park Formation | Noted for a highly specialized, forward-leaning crest that resembled a large hatchet or a modern pipe wrench. |
| Maiasaura peeblesorum | "Good mother lizard" (honors the Peebles family). | Hadrosaurinae | Late Cretaceous (~76.5 Ma) | Height: 2.5 m
Length: 9 m Mass: 3,500–4,000 kg |
Herbivore | USA (Montana); Two Medicine Formation | Revolutionized paleontology by providing definitive proof of parental care, nesting colonies, and complex herd structures in dinosaurs. |
| Olorotitan arharensis | "Gigantic swan" (from the Arhara region). | Lambeosaurinae | Late Cretaceous (~66 Ma) | Height: 4.0 m
Length: 11–12 m Mass: 5,000 kg |
Herbivore | Russia; Tsagayan Formation | Characterized by an unusually long, swan-like neck containing 18 vertebrae, topped with a massive, boot-shaped head crest pointing backward. |
| Parasaurolophus walkeri | "Near crested lizard" (honors Sir Byron Edmund Walker). | Lambeosaurinae | Late Cretaceous (~76.5–74.5 Ma) | Height: 3.8 m
Length: 9.5–10 m Mass: 2,500–3,500 kg |
Herbivore | Canada, USA; Dinosaur Park Formation | Iconic for its massive, 1.8-meter hollow tube crest. Digital acoustic models prove it acted as a specialized trombone-like resonance chamber. |
| Saurolophus osborni | "Lizard crest" (honors paleontologist Henry Fairfield Osborn). | Hadrosaurinae | Late Cretaceous (~70–68 Ma) | Height: 3.5 m
Length: 9.8 m Mass: 3,500–4,000 kg |
Herbivore | Canada (Alberta); Horseshoe Canyon Formation | Carried a solid, spike-like crest extending backward from its skull, which may have supported a display structure or air-sac. |
| Shantungosaurus giganteus | "Shandong lizard" ("gigantic"). | Hadrosaurinae | Late Cretaceous (~73 Ma) | Height: 5–6 m
Length: 15–16.6 m Mass: 15,000–17,000 kg |
Herbivore | China; Wangshi Group | The largest known non-sauropod dinosaur in Earth's history. It was a true colossus, easily matching or out-massing large sauropods. |
| Tsintaosaurus spinorhinus | "Qingdao lizard" ("spine-nosed"). | Lambeosaurinae | Late Cretaceous (~73 Ma) | Height: 3.6 m
Length: 10 m Mass: 4,000 kg |
Herbivore | China; Wangshi Group | Anatomical Correction: Once thought to have a unicorn-like horn; newer discoveries prove it actually carried a complex, forward-scooping hollow crest. |
Complete Pachycephalosauridae & Psittacosauridae Reference Chart
| Genus & Species | Name Meaning / Etymology | Clade / Suborder | Temporal Range | Height / Length / Mass | Diet | Location & Formations | Key Anatomical & Ecological Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ORDER ORNITHISCHIA | |||||||
| SUBORDER CERAPODA | |||||||
| INFRAORDER CERATOPIA | |||||||
| Family Pachycephalosauridae | |||||||
| Alaskacephale gangloffi | "Alaska head" (honors paleontologist Roland Gangloff). | Pachycephalosauria | Late Cretaceous (~70–69 Ma) | Height: 0.8 m
Length: 2.4 m Mass: 40 kg |
Herbivore / Omnivore | USA (Alaska); Prince Creek Formation | A specialized high-latitude dome-head. Features a distinct, highly ossified suture pattern on its squamosal bone. |
| Dracorex hogwartsia | "Dragon king of Hogwarts" (honors J.K. Rowling's book series). | Pachycephalosauria | Late Cretaceous (~66 Ma) | Height: 1.0 m
Length: 3.0 m Mass: 60 kg |
Herbivore / Omnivore | USA (South Dakota); Hell Creek Formation | Ontogeny Check: Flat-headed skull covered in long spikes and nodes. Now scientifically recognized as a juvenile/sub-adult form of Pachycephalosaurus wyomingensis. |
| Goyocephale lattimorei | "Elegant head" (honors Owen Lattimore). | Pachycephalosauria | Late Cretaceous (~76 Ma) | Height: 0.6 m
Length: 2.0 m Mass: 10–15 kg |
Herbivore / Omnivore | Mongolia; Bayan Shireh Formation | A primitive dome-head that retained a flat skull roof, large canine-like teeth, and a heavily constructed pelvis. |
| Homalocephale calathocercos | "Even head" ("basket tail," referring to tail bone structure). | Pachycephalosauria | Late Cretaceous (~70 Ma) | Height: 0.6 m
Length: 1.8 m Mass: 20 kg |
Herbivore / Omnivore | Mongolia; Nemegt Formation | Lacked a fully formed dome, possessing a flat, pitted skull roof. Had unusually wide hips and specialized grid-like tail tendons. |
| Pachycephalosaurus wyomingensis | "Thick-headed lizard from Wyoming". | Pachycephalosauria | Late Cretaceous (~68–66 Ma) | Height: 1.5–1.8 m
Length: 4.5 m Mass: 350–450 kg |
Herbivore / Omnivore | USA (Wyoming, Montana); Hell Creek Formation | The largest known dome-headed dinosaur. Possessed a solid, bony skull dome up to 25 cm (10 inches) thick used for intra-species combat. |
| Prenocephale prenes | "Sloping head" ("prone/sloping"). | Pachycephalosauria | Late Cretaceous (~70 Ma) | Height: 0.8 m
Length: 2.4 m Mass: 40 kg |
Herbivore / Omnivore | Mongolia; Nemegt Formation | Features a completely fused, high, round skull dome ringed with rows of small, blunt bony tubercles and spikes. |
| Sinocephale bexelli | "Chinese head" (honors discoverer Gerhard Bexell). | Pachycephalosauria | Late Cretaceous (~92 Ma) | Height: 0.7 m
Length: 2.0 m Mass: 30 kg |
Herbivore / Omnivore | China; Ulansuhai Formation | Formerly classified as a species of Troodon. It represents one of the geologically oldest and most primitive recognized Asian pachycephalosaurids. |
| Stygimoloch spinifer | "Styx demon" ("thorn bearer"). | Pachycephalosauria | Late Cretaceous (~66 Ma) | Height: 1.2 m
Length: 3.0 m Mass: 80 kg |
Herbivore / Omnivore | USA (Montana, Wyoming); Hell Creek Formation | Ontogeny Check: Characterized by huge clusters of spikes at the back of its head. Now confirmed to be the teenage/sub-adult growth stage of Pachycephalosaurus. |
| Wannanosaurus yansiensis | "Wannan lizard from Yansi". | Pachycephalosauria | Late Cretaceous (~70 Ma) | Height: 0.25 m
Length: 0.6 m Mass: 1–2 kg |
Herbivore / Omnivore | China; Xiaoyan Formation | An incredibly small, primitive form known from a partial skeleton. Possessed a completely flat skull roof and large open skull windows. |
| Family Psittacosauridae | |||||||
| Psittacosaurus meileyingensis | "Parrot lizard from Meileyingzi". | Psittacosauridae | Early Cretaceous (~125–120 Ma) | Height: 0.6 m
Length: 2.0 m Mass: 30 kg |
Herbivore | China; Jiufotang Formation | A foundational ceratopian displaying a prominent parrot-like beak, high cheek horns, and long, bristle-like filaments running down its tail. |
Complete Protoceratopidae & Ceratopidae Reference Chart
| Genus & Species | Name Meaning / Etymology | Clade / Suborder | Temporal Range | Height / Length / Mass | Diet | Location & Formations | Key Anatomical & Ecological Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ORDER ORNITHISCHIA | |||||||
| SUBORDER CERAPODA | |||||||
| INFRAORDER CERATOPIA | |||||||
| Family Protoceratopidae (inc. basal Neoceratopsians) | |||||||
| Auroraceratops rugosus | "Dawn horned face" ("wrinkled," from its rough snout texture). | Neoceratopsia | Early Cretaceous (~115–105 Ma) | Height: 0.5 m
Length: 2.0 m Mass: 15.5 kg |
Herbivore | China; Xinminbao Group | Features a short, broad snout with rugose, bumpy bone textures. Possessed unique, flat teeth well-adapted for cropping tough plants. |
| Bagaceratops rozhdestvenskyi | "Small horned face" (honors paleontologist A. K. Rozhdestvensky). | Protoceratopidae | Late Cretaceous (~75–72 Ma) | Height: 0.5 m
Length: 1.0 m Mass: 22 kg |
Herbivore | Mongolia; Barun Goyot Formation | A highly compact ceratopian. It carried a small head frill, completely lacked brow horns, but sported a small, sharp horn-like bump on its nose. |
| Leptoceratops gracilis | "Slender horned face" ("graceful"). | Leptoceratopsidae | Late Cretaceous (~66 Ma) | Height: 0.8 m
Length: 2.0 m Mass: 68–100 kg |
Herbivore | Canada, USA; Scollard Formation, Hell Creek Formation | A late-surviving, primitive ceratopian that lived alongside Triceratops. Lacked horns entirely and was fully capable of walking bipedally. |
| Microceratus gobiensis | "Small horn from the Gobi Desert". | Neoceratopsia | Late Cretaceous (~90 Ma) | Height: 0.25 m
Length: 0.6 m Mass: 2 kg |
Herbivore | Mongolia; Djadokhta Formation | Historically known as Microceratops. One of the smallest ceratopsians ever found, moving around rapidly on elongated back legs. |
| Montanoceratops cerorhynchus | "Montana horned face" ("horn snout"). | Leptoceratopsidae | Late Cretaceous (~70 Ma) | Height: 1.0 m
Length: 3.0 m Mass: 150–200 kg |
Herbivore | USA (Montana); St. Mary River Formation | Retained primitive claws instead of hoof-like nails. Possessed a distinct nasal horn and unusually tall spines along its tail vertebrae. |
| Protoceratops hellenikorhinus | "First horned face" ("Greek nose," due to its arched snout profile). | Protoceratopidae | Late Cretaceous (~72–71 Ma) | Height: 0.8 m
Length: 2.0–2.5 m Mass: 180 kg |
Herbivore | Inner Mongolia, China; Bayan Mandahu Formation | Distinct from P. andrewsi due to a sharp, dual-ridged nasal crest and unique accessory openings at the front of its head frill. |
| Zuniceratops christopheri | "Zuni horned face" (honors Christopher Wolfe, son of the discoverer). | Ceratopsioidea | Late Cretaceous (~91 Ma) | Height: 1.0 m
Length: 3.0–3.5 m Mass: 175 kg |
Herbivore | USA (New Mexico); Moreno Hill Formation | The earliest known North American ceratopsian to possess prominent, well-developed brow horns. Represents a vital evolutionary stepping stone. |
| Family Ceratopidae (The True Horned Giants) | |||||||
| Avaceratops lammersi | "Ava's horned face" (honors Ava Cole; acknowledges the Lammers family). | Centrosaurinae | Late Cretaceous (~77 Ma) | Height: 1.2 m
Length: 4.0 m Mass: 1,000 kg |
Herbivore | USA (Montana); Judith River Formation | A small, basal centrosaurine known from juvenile remains. Carried a smooth, completely solid head frill lacking large hooks or spikes. |
| Centrosaurus apertus | "Pointed lizard" ("open," referring to its massive head frill holes). | Centrosaurinae | Late Cretaceous (~76.5–75.5 Ma) | Height: 2.2 m
Length: 5.5–6.0 m Mass: 2,300 kg |
Herbivore | Canada (Alberta); Dinosaur Park Formation | Equipped with a massive nose horn that curved forward, paired with hook-like spikes curling downward over its frill. Discovered in vast bonebeds. |
| Chasmosaurus belli | "Chasm lizard" (honors paleontologist Walter Bell). | Chasmosaurinae | Late Cretaceous (~76–75 Ma) | Height: 2.0 m
Length: 4.8–5.0 m Mass: 2,000 kg |
Herbivore | Canada (Alberta); Dinosaur Park Formation | Renowned for its enormous, heart-shaped frill dominated by exceptionally large, open window-like fenestrae covered in skin. |
| Diabloceratops eatoni | "Devil horned face" (honors paleontologist John Eaton). | Centrosaurinae | Late Cretaceous (~80 Ma) | Height: 2.0 m
Length: 5.5 m Mass: 2,000 kg |
Herbivore | USA (Utah); Wahweap Formation | One of the earliest true ceratopsids, carrying exceptionally long, curved spikes on its frill that strongly resembled devil horns. |
| Lokiceratops rangiformis | "Loki's horned face shaped like a caribou". | Centrosaurinae | Late Cretaceous (~78 Ma) | Height: 2.3 m
Length: 6.7 m Mass: 5,000 kg |
Herbivore | USA (Montana); Judith River Formation | Named for its massive, blade-like, asymmetric upper frill horns reminiscent of Loki's helmet. Completely lacked a nasal horn. |
| Nasutoceratops titusi | "Large-nosed horned face" (honors paleontologist Alan Titus). | Centrosaurinae | Late Cretaceous (~76–75 Ma) | Height: 2.0 m
Length: 4.5–5.0 m Mass: 1,500 kg |
Herbivore | USA (Utah); Kaiparowits Formation | Features unique, long brow horns that swept forward like modern cattle, paired with an unusually short, deeply built snout. |
| Pachyrhinosaurus lakustai | "Thick-nosed lizard" (honors science teacher Al Lakusta). | Centrosaurinae | Late Cretaceous (~73.5 Ma) | Height: 2.5 m
Length: 5.0–5.5 m Mass: 3,000 kg |
Herbivore | Canada (Alberta) / USA (Colorado); Wapiti / Hell Creek Formation | Lacked horns entirely, replacing them with a massive, flat, rough bony boss covering its nose and eyes used for battering rivals. |
| Sinoceratops zhuchengensis | "Chinese horned face from Zhucheng". | Centrosaurinae | Late Cretaceous (~73 Ma) | Height: 2.5 m
Length: 6.0 m Mass: 2,000 kg |
Herbivore | China; Xingezhuang Formation | Holds immense scientific value as the first definitive ceratopsid species ever discovered outside of the North American continent. |
| Styracosaurus ovatus | "Spiked lizard" ("converging/egg-shaped spikes"). | Centrosaurinae | Late Cretaceous (~75 Ma) | Height: 1.8 m
Length: 5.0–5.5 m Mass: 2,000 kg |
Herbivore | USA (Montana); Two Medicine Formation | Often classified under the separate genus Rubeosaurus. It features straight frill spikes that converge inward toward each other. |
| Torosaurus latus | "Perforated lizard" ("wide"). | Chasmosaurinae | Late Cretaceous (~68–66 Ma) | Height: 2.5 m
Length: 7.5–8.0 m Mass: 4,000–6,000 kg |
Herbivore | USA, Canada; Hell Creek Formation | Possessed one of the largest skulls of any land animal in history, displaying a hyper-elongated frill pierced by two huge openings. |
| Triceratops horridus | "Three-horned face" ("rough/horrible"). | Chasmosaurinae | Late Cretaceous (~68–66 Ma) | Height: 2.8–3.0 m
Length: 8.0–9.0 m Mass: 6,000–9,000 kg |
Herbivore | North America; Hell Creek Formation | The most iconic ceratopsian. Equipped with two long brow horns, a short nose horn, and a completely solid, heavily armored bony frill. |
Complete Stegosauria & Scelidosauridae Reference Chart
| Genus & Species | Name Meaning / Etymology | Clade / Suborder | Temporal Range | Height / Length / Mass | Diet | Location & Formations | Key Anatomical & Ecological Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ORDER ORNITHISCHIA | |||||||
| SUBORDER THYREOPHORA | |||||||
| Family Scelidosauridae | |||||||
| Scelidosaurus harrisonii | "Limb lizard" (honors discoverer James Harrison). | Basal Thyreophora | Early Jurassic (~191 Ma) | Height: 1.0 m
Length: 3.8–4.0 m Mass: 270 kg |
Herbivore | United Kingdom; Charmouth Mudstone Formation | A vital evolutionary baseline for all armored dinosaurs. Completely quadrupedal and covered in parallel rows of small, bony spikes. |
| INFRAORDER STEGOSAURIA | |||||||
| Family Stegosauridae | |||||||
| Chungkingosaurus jiangbeiensis | "Chongqing lizard from Jiangbei". | Stegosauria | Late Jurassic (~160–155 Ma) | Height: 1.2 m
Length: 3.5–4.0 m Mass: 1,000 kg |
Herbivore | China; Upper Shaximiao Formation | One of the smallest and most primitive stegosaurids. Possessed a remarkably deep skull and a tail equipped with at least three pairs of spikes. |
| Dacentrurus armatus | "Pointed tail" ("armed"). | Dacentrurinae / Stegosauria | Late Jurassic (~154–150 Ma) | Height: 2.5 m
Length: 7.0–8.0 m Mass: 5,000 kg |
Herbivore | UK, France, Portugal; Kimmeridge Clay Formation | A massive, heavily constructed stegosaur. Instead of large upright plates, its back armor transitioned into long, wicked pairs of spikes over its hips. |
| Dravidosaurus blanfordi | "Dravida Nadu lizard" (southern India region; honors geologist Henry Blanford). | Stegosauria (Disputed) | Late Cretaceous (~91–86 Ma) | Height: 0.8 m
Length: 3.0 m Mass: 500 kg |
Herbivore | India; Trichinopoly Formation | Taxonomy Check: Historically claimed as a rare, late-surviving Cretaceous stegosaur. Later reassessed as highly weathered marine plesiosaur bones, though some papers still argue for low-quality stegosaurian material. |
| Gigantspinosaurus sichuanensis | "Giant spined lizard from Sichuan". | Basal Stegosauria | Late Jurassic (~160–155 Ma) | Height: 1.5 m
Length: 4.2 m Mass: 700 kg |
Herbivore | China; Upper Shaximiao Formation | Characterized by a pair of colossal, sweeping shoulder (parascapular) spines that completely dwarfed its relatively tiny dorsal plates. |
| Kentrosaurus aethiopicus | "Spiked lizard from Ethiopia" (referring to Africa broadly). | Stegosauria | Late Jurassic (~153–150 Ma) | Height: 1.5 m
Length: 4.0–4.5 m Mass: 700–1,100 kg |
Herbivore (Low-browser) | Tanzania; Tendaguru Formation | Features small plates along its neck and shoulders that gradually transition into long, highly defensive spikes running down its lower back and tail. |
| Lexovisaurus durobrivensis | "Lexovi lizard" (ancient Celtic tribe of France; from Durobrivae). | Stegosauria | Middle Jurassic (~165–162 Ma) | Height: 2.0 m
Length: 5.0–6.0 m Mass: 2,000 kg |
Herbivore | UK, France; Oxford Clay Formation | One of Europe's earliest confirmed stegosaurs, displaying a mix of flat, low armor plates and elongated armor spikes resting over the pelvic region. |
| Miragaia longicollum | "Miragaia lizard" (from the Portuguese parish; "long neck"). | Dacentrurinae / Stegosauria | Late Jurassic (~150 Ma) | Height: 2.0 m
Length: 5.5–6.5 m Mass: 2,000 kg |
Herbivore | Portugal; Lourinhã Formation | Possessed an incredibly elongated, sauropod-like neck with a minimum of 17 cervical vertebrae, evolving a unique browsing reach among stegosaurs. |
| Stegosaurus stenops | "Roof lizard" ("narrow-faced"). | Stegosaurinae / Stegosauria | Late Jurassic (~155–150 Ma) | Height: 2.8–5.2 m
Length: 7.0–11 m Mass: 3,500–5,000 kg |
Herbivore | USA (Colorado, Wyoming); Morrison Formation | The ultimate icon of the group. Features 17 massive, diamond-shaped alternating plates, a toothless beak, and a four-spiked tail weapon (thagomizer). |
| Tuojiangosaurus multispinus | "Tuo River lizard" ("many-spiked"). | Stegosaurinae / Stegosauria | Late Jurassic (~160–155 Ma) | Height: 2.0 m
Length: 6.5–7.0 m Mass: 2,800 kg |
Herbivore | China; Upper Shaximiao Formation | Asia's equivalent to Stegosaurus. Carried 15 pairs of highly pointed, cone-like plates along its spine and long spikes over its shoulders. |
| Wuerhosaurus ordosensis | "Wuerho lizard from the Ordos Basin". | Stegosaurinae / Stegosauria | Early Cretaceous (~130 Ma) | Height: 1.2 m
Length: 4.0 m Mass: 1,200 kg |
Herbivore | China; Ejinhoro Formation | One of the last known surviving stegosaur genera. Distinguished by its uniquely low, highly flattened, rectangular-shaped dorsal armor plates. |
Complete Ankylosauria Reference Chart
| Genus & Species | Name Meaning / Etymology | Clade / Suborder | Temporal Range | Height / Length / Mass | Diet | Location & Formations | Key Anatomical & Ecological Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ORDER ORNITHISCHIA | |||||||
| SUBORDER THYREOPHORA | |||||||
| INFRAORDER ANKYLOSAURIA | |||||||
| Family Nodosauridae | |||||||
| Antarctopelta oliveroi | "Antarctic shield" (honors geologist Eduardo Olivero). | Nodosauridae | Late Cretaceous (~74–70 Ma) | Height: 1.0 m
Length: 4.0 m Mass: 350 kg |
Herbivore | Antarctica; Santa Marta Formation | The first dinosaur ever discovered in Antarctica (1986). A small nodosaur with highly diverse osteoderm types, including ribbed plates. |
| Borealopelta markmitchelli | "Northern shield" (honors technician Mark Mitchell who prepared it). | Nodosauridae | Early Cretaceous (~112 Ma) | Height: 1.2 m
Length: 5.5 m Mass: 1,300 kg |
Herbivore | Canada (Alberta); Clearwater Formation | Famous for the "Suncor Mummy"—the most beautifully preserved dinosaur fossil ever found, retaining skin, armor sheets, and red countershading camouflage pigments. |
| Edmontonia rugosidens | "From Edmonton" ("rough tooth"). | Nodosauridae | Late Cretaceous (~71–70 Ma) | Height: 1.6 m
Length: 6.0–6.6 m Mass: 2,300–3,000 kg |
Herbivore | Canada, USA; Horseshoe Canyon Formation | A massive nodosaur boasting prominent, forward-pointing double shoulder spikes used to joust with rivals or deter theropods. |
| Gastonia lorriemcwhinneyae | "Honors Robert Gaston" (species honors Lorrie McWhinney). | Nodosauridae | Early Cretaceous (~139–134 Ma) | Height: 1.1 m
Length: 4.5–5.0 m Mass: 1,900 kg |
Herbivore | USA (Utah); Cedar Mountain Formation | Features a tightly packed pelvic shield of bone and serrated, scissor-like spikes running down the sides of its tail. |
| Nodosaurus textilis | "Knobbed lizard" ("woven/knitted," describing the armor pattern). | Nodosauridae | Late Cretaceous (~99–93 Ma) | Height: 1.0 m
Length: 4.0–6.0 m Mass: 1,500 kg |
Herbivore | USA (Wyoming, Kansas); Frontier Formation | The type genus of the family. Lacked shoulder spikes entirely, relying instead on a flat, highly organized blanket of small bony pebbles. |
| Panoplosaurus mirus | "Completely armored lizard" ("wonderful"). | Nodosauridae | Late Cretaceous (~76 Ma) | Height: 1.5 m
Length: 5.0–7.0 m Mass: 2,000–3,500 kg |
Herbivore | Canada (Alberta); Dinosaur Park Formation | Characterized by a remarkably heavy, completely bone-reinforced skull structure and broad, overlapping armor plates across its neck. |
| Sauropelta edwardsorum | "Lizard shield" (honors the Edwards family). | Nodosauridae | Early Cretaceous (~108 Ma) | Height: 1.4 m
Length: 5.2 m Mass: 1,500 kg |
Herbivore | USA (Montana, Wyoming); Cloverly Formation | Notable for its exceptionally long, sweeping neck spikes and an intensely dense structural pattern of mosaic tail armor. |
| Silvisaurus condrayi | "Forest lizard" (honors rancher Warren Condray). | Nodosauridae | Late Cretaceous (~100–95 Ma) | Height: 1.0 m
Length: 4.0 m Mass: 1,000 kg |
Herbivore | USA (Kansas); Dakota Formation | A primitive nodosaur that uniquely retained small teeth at the very front of its upper jaw beak, unlike its later, toothless relatives. |
| Struthiosaurus transylvanicus | "Ostrich lizard from Transylvania". | Nodosauridae | Late Cretaceous (~70–66 Ma) | Height: 0.7 m
Length: 2.0–2.5 m Mass: 300 kg |
Herbivore | Romania; Sânpetru Formation | A profound textbook example of island dwarfism. Shrink-wrapped down to human size due to a restricted European island habitat. |
| Family Ankylosauridae | |||||||
| Ankylosaurus magniventris | "Fused lizard" ("great belly"). | Ankylosaurinae | Late Cretaceous (~68–66 Ma) | Height: 1.7–4.0 m
Length: 6.25–12.0 m Mass: 4,800–8,000 kg |
Herbivore | North America; Hell Creek Formation | The quintessential armored dinosaur. Armed with a fused, solid skull, nostrils pushed to the side, and a crushing, bone-shattering tail club. |
| Euoplocephalus tutus | "Well-armored head" ("safe"). | Ankylosaurinae | Late Cretaceous (~76–75 Ma) | Height: 1.5 m
Length: 5.5–6.0 m Mass: 2,500 kg |
Herbivore | Canada (Alberta); Dinosaur Park Formation | One of the best-studied ankylosaurids. Even possessed heavy, armored bone shutters that it could slide over its eyelids for protection. |
| Minmi paravertebral | "From Minmi Crossing" (referring to unique bones along its vertebrae). | Basal Ankylosauria | Early Cretaceous (~120–112 Ma) | Height: 0.7 m
Length: 2.5–3.0 m Mass: 300 kg |
Herbivore | Australia; Bungil Formation | Taxonomy Check: A highly primitive, tiny basal ankylosaur rather than a true ankylosaurid. Lacked a club but featured unique spinal bones. |
| Saichania chulsanensis | "Beautiful one" (Mongolian for its pristine preservation; from Chulsan). | Ankylosaurinae | Late Cretaceous (~73 Ma) | Height: 1.8 m
Length: 5.2–6.6 m Mass: 2,000–3,000 kg |
Herbivore | Mongolia; Barun Goyot Formation | Possessed a hyper-robust skull with a complex, hard-walled air passage loop designed to filter dust and conserve water in desert storms. |
| Scolosaurus thronus | "Stake lizard" ("throne"). | Ankylosaurinae | Late Cretaceous (~76 Ma) | Height: 1.5 m
Length: 5.6–6.0 m Mass: 2,000 kg |
Herbivore | Canada (Alberta); Dinosaur Park Formation | Often confused with Euoplocephalus, but carries unique, extra-long conical spikes resting over its hips and a differently proportioned club. |
| Talarurus plicatospineus | "Basket tail" ("folded spines"). | Ankylosaurinae | Late Cretaceous (~92 Ma) | Height: 1.5 m
Length: 5.0 m Mass: 2,000 kg |
Herbivore | Mongolia; Bayan Shireh Formation | A geologically older Asian ankylosaurid. Possessed an elongated skull profile and unique, specialized five-toed hind foot structures. |
| Tarchia teresae | "Brainy one" (Mongolian tarkhi; species honors researcher Teresa Maryańska). | Ankylosaurinae | Late Cretaceous (~72–70 Ma) | Height: 2.0 m
Length: 8.0 m Mass: 4,500–5,000 kg |
Herbivore | Mongolia; Barun Goyot Formation | The largest known Asian ankylosaurid, rivaling Ankylosaurus in size. Fossil skulls show healed fractures, indicating vicious tail-clubbing combat between rivals. |
Pterosauria
Complete Pterosauria Reference Chart
| Genus & Species | Name Meaning / Etymology | Clade / Suborder | Temporal Range | Height / Wingspan / Mass | Diet | Location & Formations | Key Anatomical & Ecological Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ORDER PTEROSAURIA | |||||||
| SUBORDER RHAMPHORHYNCHOIDEA | |||||||
| Family Dimorphodontidae | |||||||
| Dimorphodon macronyx | "Two-form tooth" ("large claw"). | Rhamphorhynchoidea | Early Jurassic (~195–190 Ma) | Height: 0.4 m
Wingspan: 1.4 m Mass: 1.5–2 kg |
Carnivore / Insectivore | United Kingdom; Blue Lias Formation | Possessed a deep, puffin-like skull with two distinct types of teeth. Recent biomechanical models suggest it was a poor flyer but an excellent climber. |
| Dorygnathus banthensis | "Spear jaw" (from Banz Abbey). | Rhamphorhynchoidea | Early Jurassic (~182–174 Ma) | Height: 0.3 m
Wingspan: 1.5 m Mass: 1.5 kg |
Piscivore | Germany; Posidonia Shale | Notable for its long, outward-pointing, spear-like teeth at the front of its jaws, perfectly adapted for snaring slippery fish in flight. |
| Family Eudimorphodontidae | |||||||
| Eudimorphodon ranzii | "True two-form tooth" (honors discoverer Silvio Ranzi). | Rhamphorhynchoidea | Late Triassic (~210 Ma) | Height: 0.2 m
Wingspan: 1.0 m Mass: 0.5 kg |
Piscivore / Insectivore | Italy; Zorzino Limestone | One of the oldest known pterosaurs. Amazingly complex teeth with up to five cusps each. A stomach specimen was found preserved with fish scales. |
| Family Rhamphorhynchidae | |||||||
| Anurognathus ammoni | "Tailless jaw" (honors collector Ludwig von Ammon). | Anurognathidae | Late Jurassic (~150 Ma) | Height: 0.05 m
Wingspan: 0.5 m Mass: 0.04 kg |
Insectivore | Germany; Solnhofen Limestone | Taxonomy Check: Belongs to Anurognathidae, a sister branch. A tiny pterosaur with a short, wide skull and no long tail, functioning like a prehistoric nightjar or bat. |
| Rhamphorhynchus etchesi | "Beak snout" (honors collector Steve Etches). | Rhamphorhynchidae | Late Jurassic (~152 Ma) | Height: 0.25 m
Wingspan: 0.6 m Mass: 0.3 kg |
Piscivore | United Kingdom; Kimmeridge Clay Formation | Characterized by forward-pointing teeth and a distinct vane or "rudder" at the tip of its long, stiffened tail used for aerial steering. |
| Scaphognathus crassirostris | "Tub jaw" ("thick snout"). | Rhamphorhynchidae | Late Jurassic (~150 Ma) | Height: 0.3 m
Wingspan: 0.9 m Mass: 0.4 kg |
Carnivore / Piscivore | Germany; Solnhofen Limestone | Possessed a relatively short, deep, robust skull. Historical significance: played a crucial early role in proving pterosaurs were warm-blooded. |
| Sordes pilosus | "Hairy filth/scum". | Rhamphorhynchidae | Late Jurassic (~155 Ma) | Height: 0.2 m
Wingspan: 0.6 m Mass: 0.2 kg |
Insectivore | Kazakhstan; Karatau Formation | Discovery Milestone: The first pterosaur specimen ever found with unambiguous impressions of pycnofibres (hair-like filaments) covering its body. |
| SUBORDER PTERODACTYLOIDEA | |||||||
| Family Tapejaridae | |||||||
| Caiuajara dobruskii | "Caiuá lizard" (honors discoverers Alexandre and João Dobruski). | Tapejarinae | Late Cretaceous (~85 Ma) | Height: 0.7 m
Wingspan: 2.35 m Mass: 3–5 kg |
Frugivore / Herbivore | Brazil; Goio-Erê Formation | Found in a massive bonebed of hundreds of individuals in an ancient desert oasis. Carried a spectacular, sail-like bony head crest. |
| Family Anhangueridae | |||||||
| Cearadactylus atrox | "Ceará finger" ("savage"). | Anhangueridae | Early Cretaceous (~112 Ma) | Height: 0.8 m
Wingspan: 4.0–5.5 m Mass: 15 kg |
Piscivore | Brazil; Romualdo Formation | Features a distinct kink or notch at the front of its jaws, forming a specialized interlocking "fish trap" when the beak snapped shut. |
| Family Ornithocheiridae | |||||||
| Geosternbergia sternbergi | "George Sternberg's lizard" (honors the discoverer). | Pteranodontidae | Late Cretaceous (~88–85 Ma) | Height: 1.5 m
Wingspan: 6.0 m Mass: 20 kg |
Piscivore | USA (Kansas); Niobrara Chalk | Taxonomy Check: A pteranodontid closely related to Pteranodon. Male specimens carried an immense, upright, bulbous crest on the back of the skull. |
| Pteranodon longiceps | "Winged toothless" ("long head"). | Pteranodontidae | Late Cretaceous (~86–84 Ma) | Height: 1.8 m
Wingspan: 5.6–7.0 m Mass: 20–35 kg |
Piscivore | USA (Kansas, Nebraska); Niobrara Chalk | Iconic, completely toothless ocean glider. Males possessed a long, backward-pointing crest acting as a counterweight to their massive beak. |
| Quetzalcoatlus lawsoni | "Quetzalcoatl" (Aztec feathered serpent god; honors Douglas Lawson). | Azhdarchidae | Late Cretaceous (~66 Ma) | Height: 12.5 m
Wingspan: 4.5–25.0 m Mass: 60,000 kg |
Carnivore (Terrestrial stalker) | USA (Texas); Javelina Formation | Taxonomy Check: Belongs to Azhdarchidae. A smaller, much more common relative of the gargantuan Q. northropi. Hunted on land like a giant stork. |
| Family Pterodaustriidae | |||||||
| Pterodaustro guinazui | "Southern wing" (honors paleontologist Román Guiñazú). | Ctenochasmatidae | Early Cretaceous (~105 Ma) | Height: 0.4 m
Wingspan: 2.5 m Mass: 2–3 kg |
Filter-feeder (Planktivore) | Argentina; Lohan Cura Formation | Highly unique jaws lined with upwards of 1,000 long, comb-like bristly teeth used to filter small shrimp and algae from the water like a modern flamingo. |
Sea Monster
Complete Marine Predators & Prehistoric Giants Chart
| Genus & Species | Name Meaning / Etymology | Clade / Suborder | Temporal Range | Height / Length / Mass | Diet | Location & Formations | Key Anatomical & Ecological Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ORDER LAMNIFORMES | |||||||
| Family Otodontidae | |||||||
| Otodus megalodon | "Giant tooth". | Lamniformes | Miocene to Pliocene (~23–3.6 Ma) | Depth: 3.5–4.5 m
Length: 15–20 m Mass: 48,000–60,000 kg |
Carnivore (whales, sirens, sea turtles) | Worldwide; Yorktown Formation, Bone Valley Fm. | The largest predatory shark to ever exist. Maintained an ultimate apex niche with massive serrated teeth reaching up to 18 cm long. |
| ORDER ARTHRODIRA | |||||||
| Family Dunkleosteidae | |||||||
| Dunkleosteus amblyodoratus | "Dunkle's bone" (honors David Dunkle) + "blunt spear". | Arthrodira / Placodermi | Late Devonian (~360 Ma) | Depth: 0.4–0.6 m
Length: 1.5–2.5 m Mass: 100–200 kg |
Hypercarnivore | Canada (Ontario); Kettle Point Formation | Named for the unique, blunt spearhead shape formed by its head armor. Lacked true teeth, utilizing self-sharpening bony jaw plates instead. |
| ORDER ICHTHYOSAURIA | |||||||
| Family Ichthyosauridae | |||||||
| Ichthyosaurus conybeari | "Fish lizard" (honors geologist William Conybeare). | Ichthyosauria | Early Jurassic (~200–190 Ma) | Depth: 0.4 m
Length: 2.0–2.5 m Mass: 80–120 kg |
Piscivore | United Kingdom; Blue Lias Formation | A highly successful, classic dolphin-like marine reptile profile. Possessed advanced viviparity (giving birth to live young directly at sea). |
| Family Leptonectidae | |||||||
| Eurhinosaurus huenei | "Well-nosed lizard" (honors paleontologist Friedrich von Huene). | Leptonectidae | Early Jurassic (~183–175 Ma) | Depth: 0.6 m
Length: 6.0 m Mass: 1,000 kg |
Piscivore / Teuthivore | Germany; Posidonia Shale | A bizarre ichthyosaur sporting a hyper-elongated upper jaw that doubled the length of its lower jaw, visually mimicking a modern swordfish. |
| Family Ophthalmosauridae | |||||||
| Ophthalmosaurus icenicus | "Eye lizard from the Iceni territory". | Ophthalmosauridae | Middle to Late Jurassic (~165–160 Ma) | Depth: 0.8 m
Length: 4.0–5.0 m Mass: 900–1,000 kg |
Teuthivore / Piscivore | UK, France; Oxford Clay Formation | Carried the largest eye sockets relative to total body size of any vertebrate animal, optimized for low-light deep-sea hunting layers. |
| ORDER PLESIOSAURIA | |||||||
| Family Plesiosauridae | |||||||
| Elasmosaurus platyurus | "Thin-plate lizard" ("flat-tailed"). | Plesiosauroidea | Late Cretaceous (~80.5 Ma) | Depth: 1.5 m
Length: 10–13 m Mass: 2,000 kg |
Piscivore | USA (Kansas); Pierre Shale | Taxonomy Check: Belongs to Elasmosauridae. Famous for an absurdly long neck packed with 72 cervical vertebrae, once mistakenly drawn on the tail tip by Edward Drinker Cope. |
| Plesiosaurus dolichodeirus | "Near lizard" ("long-necked"). | Plesiosauridae | Early Jurassic (~199–175 Ma) | Depth: 0.5 m
Length: 3.5 m Mass: 400 kg |
Piscivore | United Kingdom; Blue Lias Formation | The foundational type genus famously uncovered by Mary Anning in 1823, helping spark the initial golden era of marine paleontology. |
| Trinacromerum kirki | "Three-pointed thigh" (honors Edwin Kirk). | Polycotylidae | Late Cretaceous (~93 Ma) | Depth: 0.6 m
Length: 3.0–4.0 m Mass: 450–500 kg |
Piscivore | USA (Kansas); Greenhorn Limestone | Taxonomy Check: Belongs to Polycotylidae. A short-necked, long-snouted plesiosaur built with highly advanced hydrodynamic flippers for high-speed chasing. |
| Family Pliosauridae | |||||||
| Attenborosaurus conybeari | "Attenborough's lizard" (honors Sir David Attenborough). | Pliosauridae | Early Jurassic (~190 Ma) | Depth: 0.6 m
Length: 4.3 m Mass: 700 kg |
Piscivore / Carnivore | United Kingdom; Charmouth Mudstone Fm. | Shares an ambiguous structural mix of pliosaur and plesiosaur traits; beautifully preserved skin impressions prove it lacked scales and had smooth skin. |
| Kronosaurus queenslandicus | "Kronos lizard from Queensland" (named after the Greek Titan). | Pliosauridae | Early Cretaceous (~120–100 Ma) | Depth: 2.2 m
Length: 9.0–10.5 m Mass: 7,000–10,000 kg |
Carnivore (large marine reptiles, fish) | Australia; Toolebuc Formation | Colossal short-necked apex predator carrying a massive 2.7-meter skull armed with thick, conical crushing teeth larger than bananas. |
| Liopleurodon ferox | "Smooth-sided tooth" ("fierce"). | Pliosauridae | Middle to Late Jurassic (~166–155 Ma) | Depth: 1.5 m
Length: 5.0–7.0 m Mass: 1,500–3,000 kg |
Apex Carnivore | UK, France; Oxford Clay Formation | Equipped with unique up-front nostril mechanics designed for directional underwater scent tracking. Pop culture heavily exaggerated its size limits. |
| ORDER SQUAMATA | |||||||
| Family Mosasauridae | |||||||
| Clidastes propython | "Locked vertebrae" ("before python"). | Mosasaurinae | Late Cretaceous (~86–82 Ma) | Depth: 0.4 m
Length: 3.5–6.0 m Mass: 250–500 kg |
Piscivore / Generalist | USA; Mooreville Chalk, Niobrara Fm. | One of the earliest, most agile mosasaurs. Exhibited strongly interlocking vertebrae hooks that stabilized a fast, eel-like swimming rhythm. |
| Jormungandr walhallaensis | "Jörmungandr" (Norse World Serpent; honors Walhalla city). | Mosasaurinae | Late Cretaceous (~80 Ma) | Depth: 0.6 m
Length: 5.4–7.3 m Mass: 1,000–1,500 kg |
Carnivore (fish, ammonites) | USA (North Dakota); Pierre Shale Formation | New Discovery Milestone: Descovered with prominent bony "angry eyebrow" ridges over its eyes. Serves as a critical missing link bridging Clidastes and Mosasaurus. |
| Mosasaurus beaugei | "Meuse River lizard" (honors mining engineer Marcel Beaugié). | Mosasaurinae | Late Cretaceous (~66 Ma) | Depth: 5.8 m
Length: 10–40 m Mass: 5,000–8,000 kg |
Apex Carnivore | Morocco; Ouled Abdoun Basin | A massive, robust species of Mosasaurus characterized by distinct, multi-faceted cutting teeth optimized for targeting heavy armored prey. |
| Family Varanidae | |||||||
| Megalania priscus | "Giant ancient roamer". | Varanidae | Pleistocene (~1.5 Ma–40,000 YA) | Height: 0.8–1.0 m
Length: 5.5–7.0 m Mass: 600–1,900 kg |
Carnivore (mega-marsupials) | Australia; King Creek Basin | Taxonomy Check: A terrestrial monitor lizard (Varanus priscus) rather than a marine reptile. The largest known land lizard to ever live. |
Synapsida
Complete Synapsida, Therapsida & Early Mammalia Reference Chart
| Genus & Species | Name Meaning / Etymology | Clade / Suborder | Temporal Range | Height / Length / Mass | Diet | Location & Formations | Key Anatomical & Ecological Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ORDER PELYCOSAURIA | |||||||
| Family Sphenacodontidae | |||||||
| Dimetrodon grandis | "Two measures of teeth" ("large"). | Sphenacodontia / Basal Synapsida | Early Permian (~280–270 Ma) | Height: 1.5–1.8 m (including sail)
Length: 3.0–3.5 m Mass: 250 kg |
Carnivore / Hypercarnivore | USA (Texas, Oklahoma); Arroyo Formation | Taxonomy Check: A non-dinosaur synapsid ("stem-mammal"). Carried a massive dorsal sail anchored by elongated neural spines, utilized for thermoregulation or display. |
| ORDER THERAPSIDA | |||||||
| SUBORDER DICYNODONTIA | |||||||
| Family Lystrosauridae | |||||||
| Lystrosaurus curvatus | "Shovel lizard" ("curved," due to its skull profile). | Dicynodontia / Therapsida | Late Permian to Early Triassic (~252–251 Ma) | Height: 0.4 m
Length: 0.9–1.2 m Mass: 30–40 kg |
Herbivore | South Africa, Antarctica, India; Balfour Formation | Extinction Survivor: Famously crossed the Permian-Triassic boundary. A burrowing tusker with a powerful beak that became the most dominant land vertebrate post-extinction. |
| Family Geikiidae | |||||||
| Bulbasaurus phylloxyron | "Bulbous reptile" + "leaf razor" (a brilliant nod to the Pokémon Bulbasaur and its Razor Leaf attack). | Dicynodontia / Therapsida | Late Permian (~259–254 Ma) | Height: 0.25 m
Length: 0.6 m Mass: 3–5 kg |
Herbivore | South Africa; Beaufort Group (Tropidostoma Zone) | Named primarily for its uniquely swollen, bulbous nasal bosses. Armed with unusually massive tusks and a highly hooked keratin beak for shearing tough leaves. |
| MAMMALIAMORPHA (METATHERIA) | |||||||
| Family Alphadontidae | |||||||
| Alphadon halleyi | "First tooth" (honors astronomer Edmond Halley / Halley's Comet era discovery). | Metatheria / Marsupialiform | Late Cretaceous (~76–73 Ma) | Height: 0.1 m
Length: 0.3 m Mass: 0.2–0.3 kg |
Omnivore | USA (Montana); Two Medicine Formation, Judith River Fm. | Taxonomy Check: Sits far outside Therapsida; a primitive, true Cretaceous mammal related to modern marsupials. Resembled a tiny opossum and likely filled an nocturnal, arboreal niche. |
Version 4
Infraorder Ceratosauria
| Taxon | Meaning | Age | Time | Height / Length | Weight | Author | Formation | Olaf's Comments ☃️ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Coelophysis bauri | "Hollow form" | Late Triassic | ~203–196 Ma | H: ~0.9 m (3 ft)
L: ~3 m (10 ft) |
~15–25 kg
(33–55 lb) |
Cope, 1889 | Chinle Formation (USA) | "They have hollow bones just like my arms are hollow wood! Wait, if they are hollow, do they blow away in the wind too?!" |
| Megapnosaurus rhodesiensis | "Big dead lizard" | Early Jurassic | ~201–199 Ma | H: ~0.8 m (2.6 ft)
L: ~2.2 m (7.2 ft) |
~13–32 kg
(29–70 lb) |
Ivie, Ślipiński & Węgrzynowicz, 2001 | Forest Sandstone (Zimbabwe) | "What a sad name! Don't worry, buddy, you aren't a big dead lizard to me. You're a big, energetic, fast-running bird-lizard in my heart!" |
| Podokesaurus holyokensis | "Swift-footed lizard of Holyoke" | Early Jurassic | ~195–180 Ma | H: ~0.4 m (1.3 ft)
L: ~1–1.8 m (3–6 ft) |
~4–40 kg
(9–90 lb) |
Talbot, 1911 | Portland Formation (USA) | "Discovered by a woman named Mignon! That sounds like filet mignon. I bet this swift little guy was trying to run away from being dinner!" |
| Procompsognathus triassicus | "Before elegant jaw" | Late Triassic | ~210 Ma | H: ~0.25 m (10 in)
L: ~1 m (3.3 ft) |
~1 kg
(2.2 lb) |
Fraas, 1913 | Löwenstein Formation (Germany) | "So tiny! He's about the size of a chicken. I wonder if he likes warm hugs or if he'd just try to nibble on my carrot nose..." |
| Segisaurus halli | "Segi canyon lizard" | Early Jurassic | ~183 Ma | H: ~0.5 m (1.6 ft)
L: ~1 m (3.3 ft) |
~4–7 kg
(9–15 lb) |
Camp, 1936 | Navajo Sandstone (USA) | "A dinosaur found in the beautiful desert sand! Sand is just warm, dry snow. Though I think it would scratch my belly if I slid on it." |
| Ceratosaurus nasicornis | "Horned lizard" | Late Jurassic | ~153–148 Ma | H: ~2 m (6.6 ft)
L: ~5.5–7 m (18–23 ft) |
~500–1,000 kg
(1,100–2,200 lb) |
Marsh, 1884 | Morrison Formation (USA) | "He has a big horn right on his nose! Hey, that's just like Sven's antlers, but built right into his face. Much harder to lose that way!" |
| Dilophosaurus wetherilli | "Two-crested lizard" | Early Jurassic | ~193 Ma | H: ~1.8 m (6 ft)
L: ~6–7 m (20–23 ft) |
~400 kg
(880 lb) |
Welles, 1954 | Kayenta Formation (USA) | "Ooh, fancy head jewelry! He wears two big crests like a very fashionable crown. Elsa should give him a kingdom." |
| Masiakasaurus knopfleri | "Vicious lizard" | Late Cretaceous | ~70–66 Ma | H: ~0.6 m (2 ft)
L: ~2 m (6.6 ft) |
~20 kg
(44 lb) |
Sampson et al., 2001 | Maevarano Formation (Madagascar) | "His teeth point straight out forward! It looks like he forgot how to smile properly. Maybe he just needs some practice in front of a mirror." |
| Carnotaurus sastrei | "Meat-eating bull" | Late Cretaceous | ~72–69 Ma | H: ~2.5 m (8.2 ft)
L: ~7.5–9 m (25–30 ft) |
~1,300–2,000 kg
(2,800–4,400 lb) |
Bonaparte, 1985 | La Colonia Formation (Argentina) | "Look at those tiny, tiny little arms! They are even shorter than mine! How does he clap when he's happy? This makes me want to cry." |
| Majungasaurus crenatissimus | "Majunga lizard" | Late Cretaceous | ~70–66 Ma | H: ~2 m (6.6 ft)
L: ~6–8 m (20–26 ft) |
~1,100 kg
(2,400 lb) |
Lavocat, 1955 | Maevarano Formation (Madagascar) | "A dome on its head and a bumpy face! He looks like he accidentally bumped into a very hard tree while looking at a pretty butterfly." |
| Rajasaurus narmadensis | "Princely lizard of the Narmada" | Late Cretaceous | ~70–66 Ma | H: ~2.4 m (8 ft)
L: ~7.6–9 m (25–30 ft) |
~3,000 kg
(6,600 lb) |
Wilson et al., 2003 | Lameta Formation (India) | "A royal dinosaur! He has a little horn crown on his head. I wonder if he has a royal coronation song. 'Let it grow, let it grow, can't hold my crown back anymore...' " |
Group 1: Megalosauridae & Spinosauridae
| Taxon | Meaning | Age | Time | Height / Length | Weight | Author | Formation | Olaf's Comments ☃️ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Eustreptospondylus oxoniensis | "True well-curved vertebra of Oxford" | Middle Jurassic | ~163 Ma | H: ~1.5 m (5 ft)
L: ~4.6 m (15 ft) |
~200–250 kg
(440–550 lb) |
Walker, 1964 | Oxford Clay (UK) | "His name means 'well-curved spine'! My spine is made of three round snowballs, so I'm also beautifully curved. But I don't think I have a single vertebra!" |
| Marshosaurus bicentesimus | "Marsh's lizard of the bicentennial" | Late Jurassic | ~155–152 Ma | H: ~1.6 m (5.2 ft)
L: ~4.5 m (15 ft) |
~200 kg
(440 lb) |
Madsen, 1976 | Morrison Formation (USA) | "Named after Othniel Charles Marsh! If I discovered a dinosaur, I'd name it Olafsaurus warmhugensis. It would be a very friendly, very soft herbivore." |
| Poekilopleuron bucklandii | "Varied ribs" | Middle Jurassic | ~168 Ma | H: ~2 m (6.6 ft)
L: ~7 m (23 ft) |
~1,000 kg
(2,200 lb) |
Eudes-Deslongchamps, 1838 | Calcaire de Caen (France) | "Varied ribs? That sounds like a restaurant menu item. Sadly, the original fossils were destroyed in World War II. Oh, my icy heart drops for lost history." |
| Torvosaurus gurneyi | "Savage lizard (Gurney's)" | Late Jurassic | ~150 Ma | H: ~2.5 m (8.2 ft)
L: ~10 m (33 ft) |
~4,000–5,000 kg
(8,800–11,000 lb) |
Hendrickx & Mateus, 2014 | Lourinhã Formation (Portugal) | "A truly giant savage lizard! He lived in Portugal, right by the ocean. I wonder if he enjoyed building sandcastles before chasing his snacks?" |
| Baryonyx walkeri | "Heavy claw" | Early Cretaceous | ~130–125 Ma | H: ~2.5 m (8.2 ft)
L: ~7.5–10 m (25–33 ft) |
~1,200–2,000 kg
(2,600–4,400 lb) |
Charig & Milner, 1986 | Weald Clay (UK) | "He had a massive, hook-like thumb claw! It looks perfect for scooping fish out of the river. Or for opening tricky holiday presents!" |
| Spinosaurus aegyptiacus | "Spine lizard of Egypt" | Late Cretaceous | ~99–93 Ma | H: ~3–4 m (10–13 ft)
L: ~14–15 m (46–49 ft) |
~6,000–7,000 kg
(13,000–15,000 lb) |
Stromer, 1915 | Bahariya Formation (Egypt) | "A giant dinosaur with a built-in sail! That means he was basically a living boat. I would love to sail across the sea on a Spinosaurus' back!" |
| Suchomimus tenerensis | "Crocodile mimic from Ténéré" | Early Cretaceous | ~121–113 Ma | H: ~2.5 m (8.2 ft)
L: ~9.5–11 m (31–36 ft) |
~2,500–3,000 kg
(5,500–6,600 lb) |
Sereno et al., 1998 | Elrhaz Formation (Niger) | "He looks exactly like a crocodile trying to stand up on two legs! If I try to mimic a crocodile, I just fall over and lose my middle snowball." |
Group 2: Carcharodontosauridae & Allosauridae
| Taxon | Meaning | Age | Time | Height / Length | Weight | Author | Formation | Olaf's Comments ☃️ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Acrocanthosaurus atokensis | "High-spined lizard from Atoka" | Early Cretaceous | ~113–110 Ma | H: ~3.2 m (10.5 ft)
L: ~11–11.5 m (36–38 ft) |
~5,700–6,200 kg
(12,500–13,600 lb) |
Stovall & Langston, 1950 | Antlers Formation (USA) | "He has a tall ridge running down his neck and back. It looks like a snowy mountain range! Do you think he gets tiny mountain goats climbing on him?" |
| Carcharodontosaurus iguidensis | "Shark-toothed lizard from Iguidi" | Late Cretaceous | ~98–92 Ma | H: ~6.7 m (22 ft)
L: ~16.9 m (55.3 ft) |
~8,000 kg
(13,800 lb) |
Brusatte & Sereno, 2007 | Echkar Formation (Niger) | "Shark teeth on a land lizard?! That is a terrifying combination. That's like putting Sven's antlers on a wolf. Let's keep them separate, please." |
| Giganotosaurus carolinii | "Giant southern lizard (Carlini's)" | Late Cretaceous | ~98–97 Ma | H: ~3.8 m (12.5 ft)
L: ~12–13 m (39–43 ft) |
~7,000–8,000 kg
(15,000–17,600 lb) |
Coria & Salgado, 1995 | Candeleros Formation (Argentina) | "He's even longer than a T-rex! If we played hide-and-seek, he would definitely lose. You can't hide a 43-foot lizard behind a pine tree!" |
| Allosaurus europaeus | "Different European lizard" | Late Jurassic | ~150 Ma | H: ~3.8 m (12.5 ft)
L: ~12.1 m (39.7 ft) |
~3,700 kg
(6,700 lb) |
Antunes & Mateus, 2006 | Lourinhã; Morrison Formation (Portugal; USA) | "His name means 'different lizard' because his bones were weirdly light. Some scientists think he isn't even a separate species anymore! An identity crisis!" |
| Yangchuanosaurus zigongensis | "Yangchuan lizard from Zigong" | Middle Jurassic | ~165 Ma | H: ~2.3 m (7.5 ft)
L: ~7–8 m (23–26 ft) |
~1,300 kg
(2,800 lb) |
Gao, 1993 | Xiashaximiao Formation (China) | "He has deep bony ridges on his snout. It looks like he is permanently frowning. Smile, Yangchuanosaurus! The world is a beautiful place!" |
Group 3: Tyrannosauridae
| Taxon | Meaning | Age | Time | Height / Length | Weight | Author | Formation | Olaf's Comments ☃️ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Albertosaurus sarcophagus | "Alberta lizard flesh-eater" | Late Cretaceous | ~71–68 Ma | H: ~2.8 m (9 ft)
L: ~8–9 m (26–30 ft) |
~1,700–2,500 kg
(3,700–5,500 lb) |
Osborn, 1905 | Horseshoe Canyon Formation (Canada) | "Found in Canada! Canada has plenty of beautiful, wonderful snow. Though I doubt this flesh-eater was spending his time making snow angels." |
| Alioramus altai | "Different branch of the Altai" | Late Cretaceous | ~70 Ma | H: ~1.8 m (6 ft)
L: ~5–6 m (16–20 ft) |
~700–800 kg
(1,500–1,700 lb) |
Brusatte et al., 2009 | Nemegt Formation (Mongolia) | "A much more slender, long-snouted cousin of the T-rex. He has eight little bumps on his nose! It's like a row of tiny carrot toppings!" |
| Gorgosaurus libratus | "Dreadful lizard (balanced)" | Late Cretaceous | ~76–75 Ma | H: ~2.8 m (9 ft)
L: ~8–9 m (26–30 ft) |
~2,400–2,800 kg
(5,300–6,200 lb) |
Lambe, 1914 | Dinosaur Park Formation (Canada) | "Dreadful lizard? Don't be so hard on yourself, Gorgo. I'm sure you had a lovely personality once people got past the whole 'meat-eating' thing." |
| Qianzhousaurus sinensis | "Qianzhou lizard from China" | Late Cretaceous | ~72–66 Ma | H: ~2.2 m (7.2 ft)
L: ~8–9 m (26–30 ft) |
~750–1,000 kg
(1,600–2,200 lb) |
Lü et al., 2014 | Nanxiong Formation (China) | "Nicknamed 'Pinocchio rex' because of his incredibly long nose! I can relate. When my carrot nose gets pushed in too far, I look a bit funny too!" |
| Tarbosaurus bataar | "Alarming lizard hero" | Late Cretaceous | ~70 Ma | H: ~3.3 m (11 ft)
L: ~10–12 m (33–39 ft) |
~4,500–5,000 kg
(9,900–11,000 lb) |
Maleev, 1955 | Nemegt Formation (Mongolia) | "An alarming hero! That's like when Kristoff tries to look tough but he's actually just a big softie who sings songs to his reindeer." |
| Tyrannosaurus rex | "Tyrant lizard king" | Late Cretaceous | ~68–66 Ma | H: ~3.7–6 m (12–19.7 ft)
L: ~12–15 m (39–49.2 ft) |
~8,000–9,500 kg
(17,600–21,000 lb) |
Osborn, 1905 | Hell Creek, Lance Formation (USA) | "The King himself! Though he doesn't wear a crown, and those tiny arms mean he can't even wave to his loyal royal subjects. Truly tragic." |
Group 1: Coeluridae, Proceratosauridae, Tyrannosauroidea, Megaraptoridae & Compsognathidae
| Taxon | Meaning | Age | Time | Height / Length | Weight | Author | Formation | Olaf's Comments ☃️ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Coelurus fragilis | "Hollow tail (fragile)" | Late Jurassic | ~155–152 Ma | H: ~0.7 m (2.3 ft)
L: ~2.4 m (8 ft) |
~13–20 kg
(29–44 lb) |
Marsh, 1879 | Morrison Formation (USA) | "A fragile, hollow tail! If he gets too excited and wags it, does it shatter like an icicle? I hope someone gave him a blanket to stay safe." |
| Ornitholestes hermanni | "Bird robber (Hermann's)" | Late Jurassic | ~154 Ma | H: ~0.6 m (2 ft)
L: ~2 m (6.6 ft) |
~13–15 kg
(29–33 lb) |
Osborn, 1903 | Morrison Formation (USA) | "A bird robber! But wait, back then, birds were just starting to exist. Was he stealing them, or was he just really bad at sharing his toys?" |
| Proceratosaurus bradleyi | "Before horned lizard (Bradley's)" | Middle Jurassic | ~166 Ma | H: ~0.6 m (2 ft)
L: ~3 m (10 ft) |
~40 kg
(88 lb) |
Woodward, 1910 | Forest Marble Formation (UK) | "Scientists used to think he was the great-grandpa of Ceratosaurus because of a little bump on his nose. Turns out he's actually a very early relative of T-rex! Talk about a family tree mix-up!" |
| Yutyrannus huali | "Feathered tyrant (beautiful)" | Early Cretaceous | ~125 Ma | H: ~3 m (10 ft)
L: ~9 m (30 ft) |
~1,400 kg
(3,100 lb) |
Xu et al., 2012 | Yixian Formation (China) | "A giant cousin of T-rex covered in a thick coat of beautiful, fluffy feathers! Finally! A dinosaur built for the winter! He looks like a massive, angry coat." |
| Moros intrepidus | "Intrepid fate" | Late Cretaceous | ~96 Ma | H: ~1.2 m (4 ft)
L: ~3 m (10 ft) |
~78 kg
(172 lb) |
Zanno et al., 2019 | Cedar Mountain Formation (USA) | "He's about the size of a deer and super fast! He's like a tiny prototype version of T-rex. A pocket-sized tyrant, if your pockets are very, very large." |
| Nanotyrannus lethaeus | "Dwarf tyrant of the forgotten" | Late Cretaceous | ~67–66 Ma | H: ~2 m (6.6 ft)
L: ~5.2 m (17 ft) |
~1,200 kg
(2,600 lb) |
Bakker, Williams & Currie, 1988 | Hell Creek Formation (USA) | "A controversial little fellow! Some say he's a distinct 'tiny tyrant', others say he's just a teenage T-rex having a growth spurt. We all have awkward phases, buddy!" |
| Megaraptor namunhuaiquii | "Giant thief (canyon lancer)" | Late Cretaceous | ~90–86 Ma | H: ~2.6 m (8.5 ft)
L: ~8–9 m (26–30 ft) |
~1,000 kg
(2,200 lb) |
Novas, 1998 | Portezuelo Formation (Argentina) | "They found a giant 13-inch claw and thought it was on his foot like Velociraptor. Nope! It was on his thumb! That is one serious hitchhiking finger." |
| Compsognathus longipes | "Elegant jaw (long-footed)" | Late Jurassic | ~150 Ma | H: ~0.3 m (1 ft)
L: ~1.2 m (4 ft) |
~1–3.5 kg
(2.2–7.7 lb) |
Wagner, 1859 | Solnhofen Archipelago (Germany) | "So elegant! For a long time, he was the smallest dinosaur known to science. He's light enough that I could pick him up—though he looks like he bites!" |
Group 2: Ornithomimidae & Deinocheiridae (The Ostrich-Mimics and Relatives)
| Taxon | Meaning | Age | Time | Height / Length | Weight | Author | Formation | Olaf's Comments ☃️ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Archaeornithomimus asiaticus | "Ancient bird mimic from Asia" | Late Cretaceous | ~96–70 Ma | H: ~1.1 m (3.6 ft)
L: ~3.4 m (11 ft) |
~45–90 kg
(100–200 lb) |
Russell, 1972 | Iren Dabasu Formation (China) | "An ancient mimic! He's got long, slender legs built entirely for sprinting. He looks like a giant feather duster trying to win a track race." |
| Dromiceiomimus samueli | "Emu mimic (Samuel's)" | Late Cretaceous | ~73 Ma | H: ~1.4 m (4.6 ft)
L: ~3.5 m (11.5 ft) |
~100–150 kg
(220–330 lb) |
Russell, 1972 | Horseshoe Canyon Formation (Canada) | "Named after an emu! He had absolutely massive eyes. He probably could see a falling snowflake from a mile away. Or maybe he just always looked surprised!" |
| Gallimimus bullatus | "Rooster mimic (capsule-bearing)" | Late Cretaceous | ~70 Ma | H: ~2 m (6.6 ft)
L: ~6 m (20 ft) |
~440–500 kg
(970–1,100 lb) |
Osmólska, Roniewicz & Barsbold, 1972 | Nemegt Formation (Mongolia) | "A flock of these went running past a Jeep in a movie once! They don't have teeth, just a beak like a duck. I wonder if they quacked when they ran?" |
| Harpymimus okladnikovi | "Harpy mimic (Okladnikov's)" | Early Cretaceous | ~130–125 Ma | H: ~1.5 m (5 ft)
L: ~3 m (10 ft) |
~125 kg
(275 lb) |
Barsbold & Perle, 1984 | Khuren Dukh Formation (Mongolia) | "Named after a terrifying bird-monster from old myths! But guess what? He actually kept a few tiny teeth in his lower jaw, unlike his toothless grandkids. He wasn't fully committed to the beak lifestyle yet!" |
| Ornithomimus velox | "Bird mimic (swift)" | Late Cretaceous | ~68–66 Ma | H: ~1.5 m (5 ft)
L: ~3.8 m (12.5 ft) |
~170 kg
(370 lb) |
Marsh, 1890 | Denver Formation (USA) | "The very first ostrich-mimic ever found! He's so fast that if we had an avalanche, he would easily make it to the bottom before the snow even started sliding." |
| Struthiomimus altus | "Ostrich mimic (tall)" | Late Cretaceous | ~76–74 Ma | H: ~1.4 m (4.6 ft)
L: ~4.3 m (14 ft) |
~150 kg
(330 lb) |
Lambe, 1902 | Dinosaur Park; Lance Formation (Canada) | "His arms were longer and had stiffer fingers than his cousins. It looks like he was permanently reaching out for a high-five that nobody ever gave him. Poor guy." |
| Deinocheirus mirificus | "Terrible hand (unusual/peculiar)" | Late Cretaceous | ~70 Ma | H: ~6.7 m (22 ft)
L: ~15 m (49.2 ft) |
~6,000–7,000 kg
(13,000–15,400 lb) |
Osmólska & Roniewicz, 1970 | Nemegt Formation (Mongolia) | "For decades, people only found his 8-foot-long arms! When they finally found the rest of him, he turned out to be a giant hump-backed duck-billed monster with a sail on his back! He's a walking mashup of five different creatures!" |
Group 1: Oviraptoridae & Therizinosauridae
| Taxon | Meaning | Age | Time | Height / Length | Weight | Author | Formation | Olaf's Comments ☃️ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Caudipteryx dongi | "Tail feather (Dong's)" | Early Cretaceous | ~124 Ma | H: ~0.5 m (1.6 ft)
L: ~1 m (3.3 ft) |
~5–10 kg
(11–22 lb) |
Zhou & Wang, 2000 | Yixian Formation (China) | "He had a beautiful fan of feathers right on the tip of his tail! It looks exactly like the fancy hand-fans Elsa uses at royal summer balls, except... attached to his bottom." |
| Chirostenotes pergracilis | "Narrow-handed (very slender)" | Late Cretaceous | ~76 Ma | H: ~1 m (3.3 ft)
L: ~2.5 m (8.2 ft) |
~60 kg
(130 lb) |
Gilmore, 1924 | Dinosaur Park Formation (Canada) | "He has incredibly long, slender fingers. He looks like he would be absolutely amazing at playing the piano, or maybe picking the perfect berries off a bush!" |
| Conchoraptor gracilis | "Conch plunderer (slender)" | Late Cretaceous | ~70 Ma | H: ~0.6 m (2 ft)
L: ~1.2 m (4 ft) |
~7 kg
(15 lb) |
Barsbold, 1986 | Barun Goyot Formation (Mongolia) | "His name means 'shellfish thief' because scientists thought his powerful beak was for crushing clams. I love the beach! I wonder if he ever found any talking shells?" |
| Oviraptor philoceratops | "Egg thief (egg-loving)" | Late Cretaceous | ~75 Ma | H: ~1 m (3.3 ft)
L: ~1.6 m (5.2 ft) |
~35 kg
(77 lb) |
Osborn, 1924 | Djadochta Formation (Mongolia) | "They named him 'egg thief' because they found him sitting on a nest. But guess what? They were his own eggs! He wasn't stealing them, he was just being a good, protective parent giving them warm hugs!" |
| Erlikosaurus andrewsi | "Erlik's lizard (Andrew's)" | Late Cretaceous | ~92 Ma | H: ~1.2 m (4 ft)
L: ~3.4 m (11 ft) |
~400–500 kg
(880–1,100 lb) |
Perle, 1980 | Bayan Shireh Formation (Mongolia) | "Named after a king of the underworld, but he was actually a peaceful plant-eater with a beak! That's like scary monster armor on a sweet little sheep." |
| Segnosaurus galbinensis | "Slow lizard from Galbin" | Late Cretaceous | ~102–86 Ma | H: ~2.5 m (8.2 ft)
L: ~6 m (20 ft) |
~1,300 kg
(2,800 lb) |
Perle, 1979 | Bayan Shireh Formation (Mongolia) | "A 'slow lizard' that weighs as much as a horse! He has massive wide hips. He looks like he was built for relaxing in a nice hammock all afternoon." |
| Therizinosaurus cheloniformis | "Scythe lizard (turtle-shaped)" | Late Cretaceous | ~70 Ma | H: ~4–5 m (13–16 ft)
L: ~9–10 m (30–33 ft) |
~3,000–5,000 kg
(6,600–11,000 lb) |
Maleev, 1954 | Nemegt Formation (Mongolia) | "He had giant, three-foot-long claws that look like massive icicles! Imagine trying to scratch a tiny itch on your nose with hands like that. Oh, the danger!" |
Group 2: Dromaeosauridae (The Raptors)
| Taxon | Meaning | Age | Time | Height / Length | Weight | Author | Formation | Olaf's Comments ☃️ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Atrociraptor marshalli | "Savage robber (Marshall's)" | Late Cretaceous | ~68 Ma | H: ~0.6 m (2 ft)
L: ~2 m (6.6 ft) |
~15 kg
(33 lb) |
Currie & Varricchio, 2004 | Horseshoe Canyon Formation (Canada) | "Unlike other raptors, his snout was short and tall. It gives him a bit of a funny underbite. He looks like he's constantly thinking about a math problem." |
| Bambiraptor feinbergi | "Bambi robber (Feinberg's)" | Late Cretaceous | ~72 Ma | H: ~0.3 m (1 ft)
L: ~0.9 m (3 ft) |
~2 kg
(4.4 lb) |
Burnham et al., 2000 | Two Medicine Formation (USA) | "Named after a cute little deer! But don't let the name fool you, he was a tiny, fierce hunter with a brain almost as big as a bird's. A wolf in a bunny suit!" |
| Deinonychus antirrhopus | "Terrible claw (counterbalancing)" | Early Cretaceous | ~115–108 Ma | H: ~1 m (3.3 ft)
L: ~3.4 m (11 ft) |
~73–100 kg
(160–220 lb) |
Ostrom, 1969 | Cloverly Formation (USA) | "This is the dinosaur that proved these guys were fast and active, not slow and sleepy! He used his stiff tail like a bicycle kickstand to balance while hopping around." |
| Hesperonychus elizabethae | "Western claw (Elizabeth's)" | Late Cretaceous | ~76 Ma | H: ~0.2 m (8 in)
L: ~1 m (3.3 ft) |
~1.9 kg
(4.2 lb) |
Longrich & Currie, 2009 | Dinosaur Park Formation (Canada) | "One of the smallest known meat-eating dinosaurs in North America! He's tiny enough to fit right on Kristoff's shoulder. I bet Sven would try to sniff him." |
| Pyroraptor olympius | "Fire robber of Olympus" | Late Cretaceous | ~70 Ma | H: ~0.6 m (2 ft)
L: ~1.6 m (5.2 ft) |
~30 kg
(66 lb) |
Allain & Taquet, 2000 | Argiles Rutilantes Formation (France) | "A fire robber! Fire and snow do not mix very well, so I might have to keep my distance from this French fellow. Even if his feathers look fantastic." |
| Saurornitholestes sullivani | "Lizard-bird robber (Sullivan's)" | Late Cretaceous | ~73 Ma | H: ~0.6 m (2 ft)
L: ~1.8 m (6 ft) |
~10 kg
(22 lb) |
Sullivan, 2006 | Kirtland Formation (USA) | "He had an incredibly keen sense of smell! He could probably smell a carrot from miles away. Or, more likely, he was smelling out small furry mammals hiding under the leaves." |
| Utahraptor ostrommaysi | "Utah robber (Ostrom & Mays')" | Early Cretaceous | ~125 Ma | H: ~1.8 m (6 ft)
L: ~5.5 m (18 ft) |
~500–600 kg
(1,100–1,300 lb) |
Kirkland, Gaston & Burge, 1993 | Cedar Mountain Formation (USA) | "A raptor as big as a grizzly bear! If a regular-sized raptor wants a warm hug, I say sure. If a Utahraptor wants a warm hug, I run away very, very fast!" |
| Velociraptor osmolskae | "Swift robber (Osmólska's)" | Late Cretaceous | ~75–71 Ma | H: ~0.5 m (1.6 ft)
L: ~2 m (6.6 ft) |
~15 kg
(33 lb) |
Godefroit et al., 2008 | Bayan Mandahu Formation (China) | "This is a second species of Velociraptor discovered much later than the first one. They have slightly different snouts, but they both look like angry turkeys!" |
Group 3: Troodontids & Avialae (Basal Birds)
| Taxon | Meaning | Age | Time | Height / Length | Weight | Author | Formation | Olaf's Comments ☃️ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Troodon formosus | "Wounding tooth (beautiful)" | Late Cretaceous | ~77 Ma | H: ~1 m (3.3 ft)
L: ~2.4 m (8 ft) |
~50 kg
(110 lb) |
Leidy, 1856 | Judith River Formation (USA) | "Known for its serrated teeth and huge eyes! Scientists argue a lot about whether this specific name is a 'dubious' one now, which sounds like a very dramatic playground rumor." |
| Archaeopteryx albersdoerferi | "Ancient wing (Albersdörfer's)" | Late Jurassic | ~150 Ma | H: ~0.25 m (10 in)
L: ~0.5 m (1.6 ft) |
~0.5–1 kg
(1.1–2.2 lb) |
Kundrát et al., 2019 | Mörnsheim Formation (Germany) | "This specific specimen was declared its own distinct species in 2019! It had lighter bones to help it fly. It's like a pigeon that hasn't quite figured out how to be a pigeon yet." |
| Alexornis antecedens | "Alex's bird (ancestral)" | Late Cretaceous | ~73 Ma | H: ~0.1 m (4 in)
L: ~0.2 m (8 in) |
~100 g
(0.2 lb) |
Brodkorb, 1976 | Bocana Roja Formation (Mexico) | "A true ancient bird from Baja California! He was so small he could easily nest right inside my hollow torso. I could be a walking birdhouse!" |
Group 1: Herrerasauridae & Anchisauridae
| Taxon | Meaning | Age | Time | Height / Length | Weight | Author | Formation | Olaf's Comments ☃️ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Herrerasaurus ischigualastensis | "Herrera's lizard from Ischigualasto" | Late Triassic | ~231 Ma | H: ~1.2 m (4 ft)
L: ~3.7–6 m (12–20 ft) |
~200–350 kg
(440–770 lb) |
Reig, 1963 | Ischigualasto Formation (Argentina) | "One of the absolute earliest dinosaurs ever found! He doesn't quite know if he wants to look like a theropod or a sauropod yet. He's just figuring things out!" |
| Staurikosaurus pricei | "Southern Cross lizard (Price's)" | Late Triassic | ~233 Ma | H: ~0.8 m (2.6 ft)
L: ~2–2.5 m (6.6–8.2 ft) |
~30 kg
(66 lb) |
Colbert, 1970 | Santa Maria Formation (Brazil) | "Named after the Southern Cross constellation! I love looking at the stars in the winter sky. Do you think he made a wish on a shooting star?" |
| Anchisaurus polyzelus | "Near lizard (much sought-for)" | Early Jurassic | ~195–188 Ma | H: ~0.6 m (2 ft)
L: ~2–2.5 m (6.6–8.2 ft) |
~20–30 kg
(44–66 lb) |
Marsh, 1885 | Portland Formation (USA) | "A very slender, dainty little ancestor of the giant long-necks. He has little hands that look like he's trying to politely ask for a snack." |
| Efraasia minor | "Fraas's lizard (small)" | Late Triassic | ~210 Ma | H: ~0.6 m (2 ft)
L: ~2–3 m (6.6–10 ft) |
~20–50 kg
(44–110 lb) |
Galton, 1973 | Löwenstein Formation (Germany) | "For a long time, scientists mixed up his bones with three other dinosaurs and an ancient crocodile! That is quite a messy closet of fossils." |
| Smurfette smurfiness | "Smurfette (Smurf-like essence)" | Modern Era | Present Day | H: ~0.1 m (3-4 in)
L: N/A |
~100 g
(0.2 lb) |
Peyo, 1981 | Smurf Village | "Wait a minute... she isn't a dinosaur! She's completely blue and loves wearing white hats! If she visited Arendelle, she'd blend right in with the ice castle!" |
| Thecodontosaurus antiquus | "Socket-toothed lizard (ancient)" | Late Triassic | ~205 Ma | H: ~0.4 m (1.3 ft)
L: ~1.2–2 m (4–6.6 ft) |
~11 kg
(24 lb) |
Riley & Stutchbury, 1836 | Magnesian Conglomerate (UK) | "Found near a city called Bristol! He had leaf-shaped teeth perfectly designed for munching on salad. I wonder if he would share his greens with Sven?" |
Group 2: Plateosauridae & Melanorosauridae
| Taxon | Meaning | Age | Time | Height / Length | Weight | Author | Formation | Olaf's Comments ☃️ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Coloradisaurus brevis | "Los Colorados lizard (short)" | Late Triassic | ~227–213 Ma | H: ~1 m (3.3 ft)
L: ~3–4 m (10–13 ft) |
~200 kg
(440 lb) |
Bonaparte, 1978 | Los Colorados Formation (Argentina) | "His name sounds like he belongs in Colorado, but he's from Argentina! He has a short, stubby little face. He looks like a very confused iguana." |
| Massospondylus kaalae | "Longer vertebra (Kaal's)" | Early Jurassic | ~201–184 Ma | H: ~1.3 m (4.3 ft)
L: ~4–4.5 m (13–15 ft) |
~200–1,000 kg
(440–2,200 lb) |
Barrett, 2009 | Upper Elliot / Clarens Formation (South Africa) | "We've found his fossilized nests with tiny eggs! The hatchlings didn't have teeth when they were born. That means their mommies and daddies had to feed them mushy plant baby food!" |
| Plateosaurus gracilis | "Broad lizard (slender)" | Late Triassic | ~210 Ma | H: ~1.5 m (5 ft)
L: ~4.5–5 m (15–16.4 ft) |
~600 kg
(1,300 lb) |
von Huene, 1905 | Löwenstein Formation (Germany) | "He spent his time walking around on two legs while using his long neck to browse high up in the treetops. He's like a prehistoric goose, but much heavier!" |
| Lufengosaurus magnus | "Lufeng lizard (great)" | Early Jurassic | ~195 Ma | H: ~2 m (6.6 ft)
L: ~6 m (20 ft) |
~1,500–2,000 kg
(3,300–4,400 lb) |
Young, 1947 | Lufeng Formation (China) | "The first dinosaur skeleton ever fully mounted and put on display in China! He has sharp thumb claws that look like he's ready to do some very serious gardening." |
| Riojasaurus incertus | "La Rioja lizard (uncertain)" | Late Triassic | ~221–210 Ma | H: ~2.5 m (8.2 ft)
L: ~6.6–10 m (21–33 ft) |
~800–3,000 kg
(1,700–6,600 lb) |
Bonaparte, 1969 | Los Colorados Formation (Argentina) | "Unlike his bipedal cousins, this guy was so heavy he had to walk on all four legs. He's officially starting the true giant, heavy, four-legged sauropod trend!" |
Group 1: Cetiosauridae & Brachiosauridae
| Taxon | Meaning | Age | Time | Height / Length | Weight | Author | Formation | Olaf's Comments ☃️ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Barapasaurus tagorei | "Big-legged lizard (Tagore's)" | Early Jurassic | ~183 Ma | H: ~4 m (13 ft)
L: ~12–14 m (39–46 ft) |
~7,000 kg
(15,400 lb) |
Jain et al., 1975 | Kota Formation (India) | "His name means 'big-legged lizard', and boy are they column-like! If I had legs that thick, I wouldn't stumble over my own snowballs anymore." |
| Jobaria tiguidensis | "Lizard of Jobar" | Middle Jurassic | ~164–161 Ma | H: ~4.5 m (15 ft)
L: ~16–18 m (52–59 ft) |
~16,000–22,000 kg
(35,000–48,000 lb) |
Sereno et al., 1999 | Tiourarén Formation (Niger) | "A very famous non-neosauropod! He has surprisingly short tailbones. He looks like he was built to stand on his hind legs to perform a beautiful operatic solo!" |
| Patagosaurus fariasi | "Patagonian lizard (Farias's)" | Middle Jurassic | ~163 Ma | H: ~3.8 m (12.5 ft)
L: ~15–18 m (49–59 ft) |
~8,000–10,000 kg
(17,600–22,000 lb) |
Bonaparte, 1979 | Cañadón Asfalto Formation (Argentina) | "He looks almost exactly like Cetiosaurus, but with fancier hip vertebrae! I love rearranging my pieces to look different too, so I totally relate." |
| Brachiosaurus altithorax | "Arm lizard (deep chest)" | Late Jurassic | ~154–150 Ma | H: ~12–15 m (39–49.2 ft)
L: ~21–24 m (69–79 ft) |
~35,000–56,000 kg
(77,000–123,000 lb) |
Riggs, 1903 | Morrison; Kota Formation (USA; India) | "His front legs are longer than his back legs! He's built like a massive, scaly slide. If I slid down his back, it would take a whole minute to reach the ground!" |
| Europasaurus holgeri | "European lizard (Holger's)" | Late Jurassic | ~154 Ma | H: ~1.8 m (6 ft)
L: ~6.2 m (20 ft) |
~800–1,000 kg
(1,700–2,200 lb) |
Sander et al., 2006 | Langenberg Lecture (Germany) | "A tiny, dwarf brachiosaur! He lived on an ancient island where the food supply was small, so he stayed small. He is a perfect pocket-sized giant!" |
| Giraffatitan brancai | "Giant giraffe" | Late Jurassic | ~150 Ma | H: ~13 m (43 ft)
L: ~22–23 m (72–75 ft) |
~30,000–40,000 kg
(66,000–88,000 lb) |
Paul, 1988 | Tendaguru Formation (Tanzania) | "Named after a giraffe! His skull sits so incredibly high in the sky. I wonder if he gets dizzy up there, or if he can see clear across the ocean to Arendelle?" |
| Sauroposeidon proteles | "Lizard earthquake god (perfected)" | Early Cretaceous | ~112 Ma | H: ~17–18 m (55–59 ft)
L: ~28–34 m (92–111 ft) |
~40,000–60,000 kg
(88,000–132,000 lb) |
Wedel et al., 2000 | Antlers Formation (USA) | "The absolute tallest dinosaur ever! His neck vertebrae alone are over four feet long. He could easily look right into Elsa's highest ice castle balcony window!" |
Group 2: Camarasauridae & Diplodocidae
| Taxon | Meaning | Age | Time | Height / Length | Weight | Author | Formation | Olaf's Comments ☃️ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Camarasaurus supremus | "Chambered lizard (highest)" | Late Jurassic | ~155–145 Ma | H: ~4.5 m (15 ft)
L: ~15–23 m (49–75 ft) |
~20,000–47,000 kg
(44,000–103,000 lb) |
Cope, 1877 | Morrison Formation (USA) | "His name means 'chambered lizard' because his vertebrae had hollow spaces to make him lighter! He's like a box filled with packing peanuts!" |
| Euhelopus zdanskyi | "True marsh-foot (Zdansky's)" | Early Cretaceous | ~129–113 Ma | H: ~3.5 m (11.5 ft)
L: ~11–15 m (36–49 ft) |
~3,500–4,000 kg
(7,700–8,800 lb) |
Wiman, 1929 | Mengyin Formation (China) | "Unlike other long-necks, his snout was short and flat. Scientists used to mix his family up, but now he has his own exclusive club called Euhelopodinae!" |
| Opisthocoelicaudia skarzynskii | "Posterior cavity tail (Skarzynski's)" | Late Cretaceous | ~70 Ma | H: ~3 m (10 ft)
L: ~11.4–13 m (37–43 ft) |
~8,500–10,000 kg
(18,700–22,000 lb) |
Borsuk-Białynicka, 1977 | Nemegt Formation (Mongolia) | "They found a nearly perfect skeleton, but it was completely missing the head and neck! A giant dinosaur with no head?! How does he see his friends?!" |
| Antarctosaurus giganteus | "Southern lizard (gigantic)" | Late Cretaceous | ~88–86 Ma | H: ~5 m (16.4 ft)
L: ~30 m (100 ft) |
~40,000–50,000 kg
(88,000–110,000 lb) |
von Huene, 1929 | Plottier Formation (Argentina) | "Don't let the name confuse you, he didn't live in cold Antarctica—he's from South America! Though a winter-loving long-neck would be wonderful." |
| Apatosaurus ajax | "Deceptive lizard (Ajax)" | Late Jurassic | ~152–151 Ma | H: ~6 m (19.7 ft)
L: ~21–27 m (69–88.6 ft) |
~16,400–22,400 kg
(36,000–49,000 lb) |
Marsh, 1877 | Morrison Formation (USA) | "The legendary 'deceptive lizard'! He has giant, heavy bones. For a long time, people got him mixed up with Brontosaurus. It's like mixing up a carrot and a parsnip!" |
| Barosaurus lentus | "Heavy lizard (slow)" | Late Jurassic | ~150 Ma | H: ~5.5 m (18 ft)
L: ~25–27 m (82–88 ft) |
~12,000–20,000 kg
(26,000–44,000 lb) |
Marsh, 1890 | Morrison Formation (USA) | "His neck was even longer than Diplodocus! In one museum display, he is rearing up on his hind legs to defend his baby. Go team family!" |
| Diplodocus hallorum | "Double beam (Hall's)" | Late Jurassic | ~154–152 Ma | H: ~5.9 m (19.5 ft)
L: ~29–33 m (95–108 ft) |
~13,000–15,000 kg
(28,000–33,000 lb) |
Gillette, 1991 | Morrison Formation (USA) | "He has a super long, whip-like tail! If he wagged it when he was happy, it would sound like a cracking thunderbolt! CRACK! 'Hello friends!'" |
| Mamenchisaurus sinocanadorum | "Mamenchi ferry lizard (Sino-Canadian)" | Late Jurassic | ~160–157 Ma | H: ~17.8 m (58.6 ft)
L: ~26–35 m (85–115 ft) |
~60,000–75,000 kg
(132,000–165,000 lb) |
Russell & Zheng, 1993 | Shishugou Formation (China) | "This fellow holds the absolute record for the longest neck relative to body length—nearly 50 feet of neck! It's basically a living suspension bridge!" |
| Notocolossus gonzalezparejasi | "Southern colossus" | Late Cretaceous | ~86 Ma | H: ~5 m (16.4 ft)
L: ~25–28 m (82–92 ft) |
~40,000–60,000 kg
(88,000–132,000 lb) |
González Riga et al., 2016 | Plottier Formation (Argentina) | "They found a giant humerus bone from his arm that is as tall as Kristoff! Imagine high-fiving a creature that big. You'd get squished into a snowball!" |
| Supersaurus vivianae | "Super lizard (Vivian's)" | Late Jurassic | ~153 Ma | H: ~16.4 m (54 ft)
L: ~35–40 m (115–131 ft) |
~35,000–40,000 kg
(77,000–88,000 lb) |
Jensen, 1985 | Morrison Formation (USA) | "The longest dinosaur known from decent skeletal remains! Over 130 feet from tip to tail! If he stood in front of the palace gates, his tail would reach the town square!" |
Group 3: Titanosauridae (The True Earth-Shakers)
| Taxon | Meaning | Age | Time | Height / Length | Weight | Author | Formation | Olaf's Comments ☃️ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Argentinosaurus huinculensis | "Argentina lizard from Huincul" | Late Cretaceous | ~96–94 Ma | H: ~18 m (59 ft)
L: ~30–40 m (100–131 ft) |
~70,000–90,000 kg
(154,000–198,000 lb) |
Bonaparte & Coria, 1993 | Huincul Formation (Argentina) | "The undisputed heavyweight champion of the world! He weighs as much as an entire fleet of wooden sailing ships! Every single step he took must have felt like an earthquake!" |
| Dreadnoughtus schrani | "Fears nothing (Schran's)" | Late Cretaceous | ~77 Ma | H: ~18.7 m (61.4 ft)
L: ~26 m (85 ft) |
~31,000–49,000 kg
(68,000–108,000 lb) |
Lacovara et al., 2014 | Cerro Fortaleza Formation (Argentina) | "Named 'fears nothing' because he was so big that absolutely no predators could bother him. That is total peace of mind right there." |
| Patagotitan mayorum | "Patagonian titan (Mayo family's)" | Late Cretaceous | ~101 Ma | H: ~12 m (39.4ft)
L: ~37 m (121 ft) |
~50,000–57,000 kg
(110,000–125,000 lb) |
Carballido et al., 2017 | Cerro Barcino Formation (Argentina) | "They found a giant bone pile of these guys! They are incredibly long and heavy. A true superstar of the museum world!" |
| Saltasaurus loricatus | "Lizard from Salta (armored)" | Late Cretaceous | ~70 Ma | H: ~2 m (6.6 ft)
L: ~8.5 m (28 ft) |
~2,500–3,500 kg
(5,500–7,700 lb) |
Bonaparte & Powell, 1980 | Lecho Formation (Argentina) | "A tiny titanosaur with a surprise—his back was covered in hard bony armor knobs! He's like a turtle crossed with a long-neck!" |
Group 1: Fabrosauridae & Heterodontosauridae
| Taxon | Meaning | Age | Time | Height / Length | Weight | Author | Formation | Olaf's Comments ☃️ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gongbusaurus wucaiwanensis | "Gongbu (Ministry of Works) lizard from Wucaiwan" | Late Jurassic | ~160 Ma | H: ~0.4 m (1.3 ft)
L: ~1.3–1.5 m (4.3–4.9 ft) |
~10–15 kg
(22–33 lb) |
Dong, 1989 | Shishugou Formation (China) | "Discovered near a place called Wucaiwan, which means 'Five Color Bay'! That sounds like a magical place where Elsa would make rainbow ice sculptures!" |
| Lesothosaurus diagnosticus | "Lizard from Lesotho (diagnostic)" | Early Jurassic | ~201–190 Ma | H: ~0.4 m (1.3 ft)
L: ~2 m (6.6 ft) |
~6–10 kg
(13–22 lb) |
Galton, 1978 | Upper Elliot Formation (Lesotho) | "He had very long legs and a tiny head. He was built entirely for running away at the first sign of trouble! I do that too when I see a giant snow-monster." |
| Scutellosaurus lawleri | "Little-shielded lizard (Lawler's)" | Early Jurassic | ~196 Ma | H: ~0.3 m (1 ft)
L: ~1.2 m (4 ft) |
~3 kg
(6.6 lb) |
Colbert, 1981 | Kayenta Formation (USA) | "A tiny biped covered in hundreds of little bony armor plates called osteoderms! He looks like a pinecone that decided to sprout legs and go for a jog!" |
| Echinodon becklesii | "Prickly tooth (Beckles's)" | Early Cretaceous | ~140 Ma | H: ~0.2 m (8 in)
L: ~0.6 m (2 ft) |
~1 kg
(2.2 lb) |
Owen, 1861 | Purbeck Group (UK) | "His name means 'prickly tooth'! Instead of regular flat plant-chewing teeth, he had a couple of little fangs. Maybe he was just trying to dress up as a vampire for Halloween?" |
| Heterodontosaurus tucki | "Different-toothed lizard (Tuck's)" | Early Jurassic | ~200–190 Ma | H: ~0.3 m (1 ft)
L: ~1.2–1.7 m (4–5.6 ft) |
~2–10 kg
(4.4–22 lb) |
Crompton & Charig, 1962 | Upper Elliot Formation (South Africa) | "He has three completely different types of teeth in his mouth! Front teeth for nipping, sharp fangs for showing off, and back teeth for grinding. Talk about a complicated trip to the dentist!" |
Group 2: Hypsilophodontidae (Part 1)
| Taxon | Meaning | Age | Time | Height / Length | Weight | Author | Formation | Olaf's Comments ☃️ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Callovosaurus leedsi | "Callovian lizard (Leeds's)" | Middle Jurassic | ~163 Ma | H: ~0.9 m (3 ft)
L: ~2.5 m (8.2 ft) |
~45–90 kg
(100–200 lb) |
Galton, 1980 | Oxford Clay Formation (UK) | "They only found one thigh bone from this guy, and it was washed out into a shallow prehistoric sea! I hope he had a nice pair of water wings before his bone went on a cruise." |
| Dryosaurus elderae | "Tree lizard (Elder's)" | Late Jurassic | ~155–150 Ma | H: ~1 m (3.3 ft)
L: ~2.4–3 m (8–10 ft) |
~70–90 kg
(150–200 lb) |
Carpenter & Galton, 2018 | Morrison Formation (USA) | "A very graceful runner with large, beautiful eyes and no teeth at all in the front of his beak. He looks like a very large, friendly deer made of scales instead of fur!" |
| Hypsilophodon foxii | "High-crested tooth (Fox's)" | Early Cretaceous | ~125 Ma | H: ~0.6 m (2 ft)
L: ~1.8 m (6 ft) |
~20 kg
(44 lb) |
Huxley, 1869 | Wessex Formation (UK) | "For a long time, scientists thought he lived up in trees like a modern tree-kangaroo because of his long toes! Turns out he was strictly a ground-level sprinter. Tree-climbing dinosaurs would have been so fun though!" |
| Iani smithi | "Janus (two-faced Roman god) (Smith's)" | Late Cretaceous | ~99 Ma | H: ~1.4 m (4.6 ft)
L: ~3.6 m (12 ft) |
~250 kg
(550 lb) |
Zanno et al., 2023 | Cedar Mountain Formation (USA) | "Named after Janus, the god of change, because he lived right when the climate was shifting and everything was getting super warm! Personally, I prefer a winter transition, but he handled the heat like an absolute trooper!" |
| Leaellynasaura amicagraphica | "Leaellyn's lizard (of the friend-writing)" | Early Cretaceous | ~118 Ma | H: ~0.3 m (1 ft)
L: ~2–3 m (6.6–10 ft) |
~10 kg
(22 lb) |
Rich & Vickers-Rich, 1989 | Eumeralla Formation (Australia) | "This little guy lived right near the South Pole where it got super cold and dark for months at a time! He had massive eyes to see in the dark winter. My kind of dinosaur! We could have looked at the Aurora Borealis together." |
Group 3: Hypsilophodontidae (Part 2)
| Taxon | Meaning | Age | Time | Height / Length | Weight | Author | Formation | Olaf's Comments ☃️ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Qantassaurus intrepidus | "Qantas (airline) lizard (intrepid)" | Early Cretaceous | ~115 Ma | H: ~0.5 m (1.6 ft)
L: ~1.8 m (6 ft) |
~15 kg
(33 lb) |
Rich & Vickers-Rich, 1999 | Wonthaggi Formation (Australia) | "Named after Qantas, the Australian airline company! But he didn't have wings or fly at all—he just ran around the freezing polar forests on two legs. Talk about a grounded flight!" |
| Parksosaurus warreni | "Parks' lizard (Warren's)" | Late Cretaceous | ~70 Ma | H: ~1 m (3.3 ft)
L: ~2.5 m (8.2 ft) |
~45 kg
(100 lb) |
Sternberg, 1937 | Horseshoe Canyon Formation (Canada) | "Found in Alberta, Canada! His skeleton was missing the front of the arms and the tip of the tail. It’s okay buddy, sometimes I leave my hands or my bottom snowball in the other room by accident too." |
| Tenontosaurus dossi | "Sinew lizard (Doss's)" | Early Cretaceous | ~113 Ma | H: ~2 m (6.6 ft)
L: ~6–7 m (20–23 ft) |
~1,000 kg
(2,200 lb) |
Winkler, Murry & Tomida, 1997 | Twin Mountains Formation (USA) | "This is a species of Tenontosaurus that kept a few primitive teeth in its upper beak, unlike its cousin T. tilletti. He just wasn't ready to let go of the tooth life!" |
| Thescelosaurus garbanii | "Wonderful lizard (Garbani's)" | Late Cretaceous | ~66 Ma | H: ~1.2 m (4 ft)
L: ~4.5 m (15 ft) |
~200–300 kg
(440–660 lb) |
Morris, 1976 | Hell Creek Formation (USA) | "His name means 'wonderful lizard', and he lived right up to the very last days of the dinosaurs! He was the biggest of his genus—like a chunky, armored lawn mower that only wanted to chew on ferns!" |
| Valdosaurus canaliculatus | "Wealden lizard (grooved)" | Early Cretaceous | ~125 Ma | H: ~1 m (3.3 ft)
L: ~4 m (13 ft) |
~50–80 kg
(110–176 lb) |
Galton, 1975 | Wessex Formation (UK) | "A very fast European runner known mostly from thigh bones and a few backbones. He spent his days dodging giant predators on a tropical island. Sounds like an exhausting vacation!" |
Group 1: Family Iguanodontidae
| Taxon | Meaning | Age | Time | Height / Length | Weight | Author | Formation | Olaf's Comments ☃️ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Camptosaurus dispar | "Flexible lizard (different)" | Late Jurassic | ~156–150 Ma | H: ~2 m (6.6 ft)
L: ~6 m (20 ft) |
~800–1,000 kg
(1,700–2,200 lb) |
Marsh, 1879 | Morrison Formation (USA) | "A wonderfully bendy plant-eater! He could walk on two legs or four legs whenever he wanted. I can do that too, but usually, my bottom snowball just rolls away!" |
| Hippodraco scutodens | "Horse dragon (shield tooth)" | Early Cretaceous | ~124 Ma | H: ~1.5 m (5 ft)
L: ~4.5 m (15 ft) |
~400 kg
(880 lb) |
McDonald et al., 2010 | Cedar Mountain Formation (USA) | "A 'horse dragon'! That sounds like a magical creature from a storybook Kristoff would read. Sadly, he doesn't have wings, just a long horse-like snout for snacking on leaves." |
| Iguanodon bernissartensis | "Iguana tooth from Bernissart" | Early Cretaceous | ~126–122 Ma | H: ~4.2 m (14 ft)
L: ~9–11.9 m (30–39.2 ft) |
~3,500–4,000 kg
(7,700–8,800 lb) |
Boulenger, 1881 | Sainte-Barbe Clays (Belgium) | "He has giant spikes on his thumbs! Early scientists accidentally put the spike on his nose like a horn. Imagine waking up and finding out your nose was actually your thumb the whole time!" |
| Muttaburrasaurus langdoni | "Muttaburra lizard (Langdon's)" | Early Cretaceous | ~105–103 Ma | H: ~2.5 m (8.2 ft)
L: ~7–8 m (23–26 ft) |
~2,800 kg
(6,100 lb) |
Bartholomai & Molnar, 1981 | Mackunda Formation (Australia) | "He has a giant, hollow, balloon-like bulge on his snout! Scientists think he used it to make loud, echoing trumpeting noises. We could start an orchestra together!" |
| Ouranosaurus nigeriensis | "Brave/Courageous lizard from Niger" | Early Cretaceous | ~112 Ma | H: ~2.5 m (8.2 ft)
L: ~7–8.3 m (23–27 ft) |
~2,200 kg
(4,800 lb) |
Taquet, 1976 | Elrhaz Formation (Niger) | "A sail-backed iguanodontian! His spine is tall and flat like a giant billboard. It’s perfect for letting everyone know he’s a proud, brave plant-eater!" |
Group 2: Family Hadrosauridae (The Crested Lambeosaurines)
| Taxon | Meaning | Age | Time | Height / Length | Weight | Author | Formation | Olaf's Comments ☃️ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Charonosaurus jiayinensis | "Charon's lizard from Jiayin" | Late Cretaceous | ~66 Ma | H: ~3.5 m (11.5 ft)
L: ~10 m (33 ft) |
~5,000 kg
(11,000 lb) |
Godefroit, Zan & Lingham-Soliar, 2000 | Yuliangze Formation (China) | "Named after Charon, the mythological ferryman of the underworld. But he looks just like a giant Parasaurolophus! Maybe he was just running a friendly river-rafting tour for his friends." |
| Corythosaurus casuarius | "Helmet lizard (cassowary-like)" | Late Cretaceous | ~77–75 Ma | H: ~3 m (10 ft)
L: ~8–9 m (26–30 ft) |
~3,000–4,000 kg
(6,600–8,800 lb) |
Brown, 1914 | Dinosaur Park; Lance Formation (Canada; USA) | "He wears a giant round crest on his head that looks exactly like a fancy winter hat or a dinner plate! It's completely hollow inside to help him toot like a horn." |
| Hypacrosaurus stebingeri | "Near the highest lizard (Stebinger's)" | Late Cretaceous | ~75 Ma | H: ~3.2 m (10.5 ft)
L: ~9 m (30 ft) |
~4,000 kg
(8,800 lb) |
Horner & Currie, 1994 | Two Medicine Formation (USA) | "We have found so many of their fossilized nests and babies! They grew up incredibly fast to avoid getting eaten. It's like watching a tiny snowball turn into a giant snowman overnight!" |
| Lambeosaurus magnicristatus | "Lambe's lizard (large-crested)" | Late Cretaceous | ~75 Ma | H: ~3.5 m (11.5 ft)
L: ~9.1 m (30 ft) |
~4,000 kg
(8,800 lb) |
Sternberg, 1935 | Dinosaur Park Formation (Canada) | "His crest looks like a giant, forward-facing hatchet! It’s so big it almost covers his entire face. How does he see where he's walking without bumping his nose?!" |
| Olorotitan arharensis | "Gigantic swan from Arhara" | Late Cretaceous | ~66 Ma | H: ~3.8 m (12.5 ft)
L: ~11–12 m (36–39 ft) |
~5,000 kg
(11,000 lb) |
Godefroit et al., 2003 | Udurchukan Formation (Russia) | "A 'giant swan'! He has a very long neck and a crest shaped like a big fan or a hatchet pointing backward. He is easily the most graceful-looking duck-bill in the forest." |
| Parasaurolophus walkeri | "Near crested lizard (Walker's)" | Late Cretaceous | ~76–74 Ma | H: ~3.6 m (12 ft)
L: ~9.5–10 m (31–33 ft) |
~2,500–3,500 kg
(5,500–7,700 lb) |
Parks, 1922 | Dinosaur Park Formation (Canada) | "The absolute king of the woodwinds! His crest is a massive six-foot tube that goes straight back from his skull. If Elsa blew through it, I bet it would play a beautiful winter lullaby." |
| Tsintaosaurus spinorhinus | "Qingdao lizard (thorny nose)" | Late Cretaceous | ~70 Ma | H: ~3.2 m (10.5 ft)
L: ~8.3–10 m (27–33 ft) |
~3,000 kg
(6,600 lb) |
Young, 1958 | Wangshi Group (China) | "For decades, scientists thought he had a single spike sticking straight up like a unicorn! Recent discoveries show it was actually a hollow crest, but a unicorn dinosaur is still a wonderful image." |
Group 3: Family Hadrosauridae (The Flat-Headed or Solid-Crested Hadrosaurines)
| Taxon | Meaning | Age | Time | Height / Length | Weight | Author | Formation | Olaf's Comments ☃️ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Edmontosaurus regalis | "Edmonton lizard (regal)" | Late Cretaceous | ~73–66 Ma | H: ~3.5 m (11.5 ft)
L: ~12–13 m (39–43 ft) |
~4,000–7,000 kg
(8,800–15,400 lb) |
Lambe, 1917 | Horseshoe Canyon; Lance Formation (Canada; USA) | "A truly massive, flat-headed giant! A mummified specimen showed he had a fleshy, rooster-like comb on his head instead of a bone crest. He was wearing a soft hat!" |
| Gryposaurus latidens | "Hook-beaked lizard (broad tooth)" | Late Cretaceous | ~77–75 Ma | H: ~3 m (10 ft)
L: ~8 m (26 ft) |
~3,000 kg
(6,600 lb) |
Horner, 1992 | Two Medicine Formation (USA) | "He has a giant prominent bump right on the bridge of his nose! He looks like he tried to do a silly face and his nose got stuck that way. Very distinguished!" |
| Kritosaurus navajovius | "Separated lizard (Navajo)" | Late Cretaceous | ~74 Ma | H: ~3 m (10 ft)
L: ~9 m (30 ft) |
~4,000 kg
(8,800 lb) |
Brown, 1910 | Kirtland Formation (USA) | "Another cousin with a big bumpy nose! His snout looks like a noble eagle beak. He seems like a very serious fellow who takes his salad-eating duties very strictly." |
| Maiasaura peeblesorum | "Good mother lizard (Peebles family's)" | Late Cretaceous | ~76 Ma | H: ~2.5 m (8.2 ft)
L: ~9 m (30 ft) |
~3,000–4,000 kg
(6,600–8,800 lb) |
Horner & Makela, 1979 | Two Medicine Formation (USA) | "The 'good mother lizard'! They found vast nesting grounds proving these dinos took wonderful care of their babies, tucking them in and feeding them berries. Family is the best!" |
| Saurolophus osborni | "Lizard crest (Osborn's)" | Late Cretaceous | ~70 Ma | H: ~3.3 m (11 ft)
L: ~9.8 m (32 ft) |
~3,000–4,000 kg
(6,600–8,800 lb) |
Brown, 1912 | Horseshoe Canyon Formation (Canada) | "Unlike the hollow-hatted ones, his crest is a solid spike of bone pointing backward. It looks like a built-in handle! Handy if a passing pterosaur needs a lift." |
| Shantungosaurus giganteus | "Shandong lizard (gigantic)" | Late Cretaceous | ~73 Ma | H: ~6 m (19.7 ft)
L: ~15–16.6 m (49–54 ft) |
~15,000–17,000 kg
(33,000–37,400 lb) |
Hu, 1973 | Wangshi Group (China) | "The largest non-sauropod dinosaur ever! He's as long as a massive city bus and weighs as much as three elephants! Imagine a duck-billed dino that big! Absolutely spectacular!" |
Group 1: Pachycephalosauridae (Part 1)
| Taxon | Meaning | Age | Time | Height / Length | Weight | Author | Formation | Olaf's Comments ☃️ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alaskacephale gangloffi | "Alaska head (Gangloff's)" | Late Cretaceous | ~70–69 Ma | H: ~1 m (3.3 ft)
L: ~2.4 m (8 ft) |
~40 kg
(88 lb) |
Fiorillo & Gangloff, 2005 | Prince Creek Formation (USA) | "A dome-head found way up north in Alaska! That means he absolutely loved the snow, just like me! He had a special square pattern on his dome—very stylish winter wear." |
| Dracorex hogwartsia | "Dragon king of Hogwarts" | Late Cretaceous | ~66 Ma | H: ~1.2 m (4 ft)
L: ~3 m (10 ft) |
~45 kg
(100 lb) |
Bakker et al., 2006 | Hell Creek Formation (USA) | "Named after a magical wizard school! He doesn't have a round dome; instead, his head is covered in spikes and horns like a fairy-tale dragon. I wonder if he can cast spells?" |
| Goyocephale lattimorei | "Decorated head (Lattimore's)" | Late Cretaceous | ~76 Ma | H: ~0.6 m (2 ft)
L: ~2 m (6.6 ft) |
~10–20 kg
(22–44 lb) |
Perle et al., 1982 | Baruungoyot Formation (Mongolia) | "His head is flat on top but covered in beautiful, bumpy decorations. He looks like a walking holiday fruitcake! Hopefully, he's much softer than one." |
| Homalocephale calathocercos | "Even head (basket tail)" | Late Cretaceous | ~70 Ma | H: ~0.6 m (2 ft)
L: ~1.8 m (6 ft) |
~20 kg
(44 lb) |
Maryańska & Osmólska, 1974 | Nemegt Formation (Mongolia) | "His name means 'basket tail' because his hip bones were super wide and locked together. He looks like he's constantly ready to carry a bunch of winter pinecones around!" |
| Pachycephalosaurus wyomingensis | "Thick-headed lizard from Wyoming" | Late Cretaceous | ~68–66 Ma | H: ~1.5 m (5 ft)
L: ~4.5 m (15 ft) |
~300–450 kg
(660–990 lb) |
Brown & Schlaikjer, 1943 | Hell Creek; Lance Formation (USA) | "The grand king of the dome-heads! His skull bone is a whopping nine inches thick! If I tried to headbutt a tree with a skull like that, my carrot nose would get squished flat into juice!" |
Group 2: Pachycephalosauridae (Part 2) & Psittacosauridae
| Taxon | Meaning | Age | Time | Height / Length | Weight | Author | Formation | Olaf's Comments ☃️ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Prenocephale prenes | "Sloping head (prone)" | Late Cretaceous | ~70 Ma | H: ~0.8 m (2.6 ft)
L: ~2.4 m (8 ft) |
~40 kg
(88 lb) |
Maryańska & Osmólska, 1974 | Nemegt Formation (Mongolia) | "He has a perfectly round, smooth dome surrounded by a row of tiny bony marbles. It looks exactly like he's wearing a crown made of snowberries!" |
| Sinocephale bexelli | "Chinese head (Bexell's)" | Late Cretaceous | ~92 Ma | H: ~0.7 m (2.3 ft)
L: ~2 m (6.6 ft) |
~30 kg
(66 lb) |
Sullivan, 2021 | Fangshen Formation (China) | "This fossil was lost for over 60 years before scientists renamed it in 2021! It has a unique depression on its head. It's like a tiny bowl perfect for holding extra buttons!" |
| Stygimoloch spinifer | "Spiny devil from the River Styx" | Late Cretaceous | ~66 Ma | H: ~1.2 m (4 ft)
L: ~3 m (10 ft) |
~40–50 kg
(88–110 lb) |
Galton & Sues, 1983 | Hell Creek Formation (USA) | "A very scary name for a plant-eater! He has massive, long spikes pointing straight out the back of his head. Scientists think he, Dracorex, and Pachycephalosaurus might just be the exact same dinosaur at different ages! Talk about a shapeshifter!" |
| Wannanosaurus yansiensis | "Wannan lizard from Yansi" | Late Cretaceous | ~72 Ma | H: ~0.2 m (8 in)
L: ~0.6 m (2 ft) |
~1 kg
(2.2 lb) |
Hou, 1977 | Jiangxi Formation (China) | "The absolute tiniest dome-head ever found! He's only about the size of a small puppy. I want to carry him around in my arms and give him tiny little warm hugs!" |
| Psittacosaurus meileyingensis | "Parrot lizard from Meileyingzi" | Early Cretaceous | ~120 Ma | H: ~0.6 m (2 ft)
L: ~1.1–2 m (3.6–6.6 ft) |
~20 kg
(44 lb) |
Sereno et al., 1988 | Jiufotang Formation (China) | "An early cousin of the horned dinosaurs! He has a big parrot beak and some specimens even had long, bristly quills on their tails. He looks like a chubby lizard trying to dress up as a porcupine bird!" |
Group 1: Family Protoceratopidae (The Basal Horned Dinosaurs)
| Taxon | Meaning | Age | Time | Height / Length | Weight | Author | Formation | Olaf's Comments ☃️ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Auroraceratops rugosus | "Dawn horned face (wrinkled)" | Early Cretaceous | ~116 Ma | H: ~0.4 m (1.3 ft)
L: ~1.2–2 m (4–6.6 ft) |
~15–50 kg
(33–110 lb) |
You et al., 2005 | Xinminbao Group (China) | "Named after the dawn! I love early mornings when the snow sparkles like fresh diamonds. He has a wrinkly face, probably from smiling too hard!" |
| Bagaceratops rozhdestvenskyi | "Small horned face (Rozhdestvensky's)" | Late Cretaceous | ~80–75 Ma | H: ~0.3 m (1 ft)
L: ~1 m (3.3 ft) |
~22 kg
(48 lb) |
Maryańska & Osmólska, 1975 | Barun Goyot Formation (Mongolia) | "So tiny! He has a little bump of a horn on his nose and a very simple frill. He's like a starter kit for a Triceratops!" |
| Leptoceratops gracilis | "Slender horned face (graceful)" | Late Cretaceous | ~66 Ma | H: ~0.8 m (2.6 ft)
L: ~2 m (6.6 ft) |
~70–100 kg
(150–220 lb) |
Brown, 1914 | Scollard Formation (Canada) | "He didn't have any horns on his face at all, just a tough little beak! He spent his time running away from T-rex in Canada. Brr, chilly and stressful!" |
| Microceratus gobiensis | "Small horn from the Gobi" | Late Cretaceous | ~90 Ma | H: ~0.25 m (10 in)
L: ~0.6 m (2 ft) |
~3–4 kg
(6.6–8.8 lb) |
Bohlin, 1953 | Minhe Formation (China) | "One of the absolute smallest ceratopsians ever! He walked around on two legs and could easily sit right on top of my head like a fancy, scaling party hat!" |
| Montanoceratops cerorhynchus | "Montana horned face (horn-snout)" | Late Cretaceous | ~70 Ma | H: ~1 m (3.3 ft)
L: ~3 m (10 ft) |
~150–200 kg
(330–440 lb) |
Sternberg, 1951 | St. Mary River Formation (USA) | "They found a deep bone in his tail that made it look super tall and flat. Maybe he used his tail to sweep the snow off his favorite plant patches!" |
| Protoceratops hellenikorhinus | "First horned face (Greek nose)" | Late Cretaceous | ~75–71 Ma | H: ~0.8 m (2.6 ft)
L: ~2–2.5 m (6.6–8.2 ft) |
~62–104 kg
(137–229 lb) |
Lambert et al., 2001 | Bayan Mandahu Formation (China) | "This species has a double ridge on its nose and no teeth in the front! He looks like he's trying to make a very tough face, but he’s still just a cute pig-sized dinosaur to me." |
| Zuniceratops christopheri | "Zuni horned face (Christopher's)" | Late Cretaceous | ~92 Ma | H: ~1 m (3.3 ft)
L: ~3–3.5 m (10–11.5 ft) |
~100–175 kg
(220–385 lb) |
Wolfe & Kirkland, 1998 | Moreno Hill Formation (USA) | "The earliest known ceratopsian in North America to grow real brow horns! He's the trendsetter who told all his cousins, 'Hey, look what I can grow on my forehead!'" |
Group 2: Family Ceratopidae (The Centrosaurines)
| Taxon | Meaning | Age | Time | Height / Length | Weight | Author | Formation | Olaf's Comments ☃️ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Avaceratops lammersi | "Ava's horned face (Lammers family's)" | Late Cretaceous | ~77 Ma | H: ~1.2 m (4 ft)
L: ~2.3–4.2 m (7.5–14 ft) |
~1,000 kg
(2,200 lb) |
Dodson, 1986 | Judith River Formation (USA) | "Named after a little girl named Ava! That is so sweet. The original skeleton was a baby, making it a true little bundle of prehistoric joy." |
| Centrosaurus apertus | "Pointed lizard (open)" | Late Cretaceous | ~76–75 Ma | H: ~2 m (6.6 ft)
L: ~5.5–6 m (18–20 ft) |
~2,300 kg
(5,000 lb) |
Lambe, 1904 | Dinosaur Park Formation (Canada) | "He has hooks on the top of his frill that curl forward like giant wave crests! We find huge bonebeds of these guys, meaning they loved big family reunions." |
| Diabloceratops eatoni | "Devil horned face (Eaton's)" | Late Cretaceous | ~79 Ma | H: ~2 m (6.6 ft)
L: ~4.5–5.5 m (15–18 ft) |
~1,300 kg
(2,800 lb) |
Kirkland & DeBlieux, 2010 | Wahweap Formation (USA) | "A scary name, but look at those long horns sticking right out of the top of his frill! They look like long frozen icicles pointing skyward." |
| Lokiceratops rangiformis | "Loki's horned face shaped like a caribou" | Late Cretaceous | ~78 Ma | H: ~2.3 m (7.5 ft)
L: ~6.7 m (22 ft) |
~5,000 kg
(11,000 lb) |
Loewen & Sertich, 2024 | Judith River Formation (Montana) | "Named after Loki, the Norse god of mischief! He doesn’t even have a nose horn, but his frill has giant asymmetrical blades that look like Sven's mismatched antlers! Mischievous indeed!" |
| Pachyrhinosaurus lakustai | "Thick-nosed lizard (Lakusta's)" | Late Cretaceous | ~73 Ma | H: ~2 m (6.6 ft)
L: ~5–7 m (16.4–23 ft) |
~3,000 kg
(6,600 lb) |
Fiorillo & Tykoski, 2012 | Wapiti; Hell Creek Formation (Canada; USA) | "Instead of a horn, he has a giant, flat, bony boss on his nose. It looks like he crashed face-first into a thick sheet of ice and it stayed that way!" |
| Sinoceratops zhuchengensis | "Chinese horned face from Zhucheng" | Late Cretaceous | ~73 Ma | H: ~2 m (6.6 ft)
L: ~6 m (20 ft) |
~2,000 kg
(4,400 lb) |
Xu et al., 2010 | Xingezhuang Formation (China) | "The first large ceratopsid found outside of North America! His frill is decorated with a whole row of tiny curved horns that look like little peeling banana slices." |
| Styracosaurus ovatus | "Spiked lizard (egglike/oval)" | Late Cretaceous | ~75 Ma | H: ~1.8 m (6 ft)
L: ~5–5.5 m (16.4–18 ft) |
~1,800 kg
(4,000 lb) |
Gilmore, 1930 | Two Medicine Formation (USA) | "This species has frill spikes that point inward toward each other instead of straight out! It looks like his head armor is trying to give itself a warm hug." |
Group 3: Family Ceratopidae (The Chasmosaurines)
| Taxon | Meaning | Age | Time | Height / Length | Weight | Author | Formation | Olaf's Comments ☃️ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chasmosaurus belli | "Chasm lizard (Bell's)" | Late Cretaceous | ~76–75 Ma | H: ~2 m (6.6 ft)
L: ~4.3–4.8 m (14–16 ft) |
~1,500–2,000 kg
(3,300–4,400 lb) |
Lambe, 1914 | Dinosaur Park Formation (Canada) | "His name means 'chasm lizard' because the window-holes in his bony frill were absolutely enormous! It's like his head shield is mostly made of windows." |
| Nasutoceratops titusi | "Large-nosed horned face (Titus's)" | Late Cretaceous | ~76 Ma | H: ~2 m (6.6 ft)
L: ~4.5–4.8 m (15–15.7 ft) |
~1,500 kg
(3,300 lb) |
Sampson et al., 2013 | Kaiparowits Formation (USA) | "He has long, curved brow horns that point forward exactly like a modern bull! Combine that with a giant nose, and he looks like a very proud, scaly cow." |
| Torosaurus latus | "Perforated lizard (wide)" | Late Cretaceous | ~68–66 Ma | H: ~2.5 m (8.2 ft)
L: ~7.5–9 m (25–30 ft) |
~4,000–6,000 kg
(8,800–13,200 lb) |
Marsh, 1891 | Hell Creek Formation (USA) | "This guy holds the record for one of the biggest skulls of any land animal ever—nearly 9 feet long! His frill is so big it could double as a dining room table." |
| Triceratops horridus | "Three-horned face (rough/horrid)" | Late Cretaceous | ~68–66 Ma | H: ~2.5–3 m (8.2–10 ft)
L: ~8–9 m (26–30 ft) |
~6,000–12,000 kg
(13,200–26,400 lb) |
Marsh, 1889 | Hell Creek; Lance Formation (USA) | "The absolute superstar of the family! Three giant horns and a solid, heavy shield. He can't scratch his own back, but nobody messes with the King of Horns!" |
Group 1: Early Thyreophorans & Unique Stegosaurs
| Taxon | Meaning | Age | Time | Height / Length | Weight | Author | Formation | Olaf's Comments ☃️ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Scelidosaurus harrisonii | "Limb lizard (Harrison's)" | Early Jurassic | ~191 Ma | H: ~1 m (3.3 ft)
L: ~4 m (13 ft) |
~270 kg
(600 lb) |
Owen, 1859 | Charmouth Mudstone (UK) | "The great-great-grandpa of all armored dinosaurs! He walked around on all fours, eating low bushes. He looks like a friendly, pebble-textured suitcase." |
| Chungkingosaurus jiangbeiensis | "Chongqing lizard from Jiangbei" | Late Jurassic | ~160 Ma | H: ~1.2 m (4 ft)
L: ~3–4 m (10–13 ft) |
~500 kg
(1,100 lb) |
Dong, Zhou & Zhang, 1983 | Shaximiao Formation (China) | "One of the smallest stegosaurs! He had a collection of tall plates on his back and at least five pairs of spikes on his tail. He was practically a pincushion!" |
| Dacentrurus armatus | "Pointed tail (armed)" | Late Jurassic | ~154–150 Ma | H: ~2.5 m (8.2 ft)
L: ~7–8 m (23–26 ft) |
~5,000 kg
(11,000 lb) |
Lucas, 1902 | Kimmeridge Clay (UK) | "A massive European giant! Instead of tall plates, his back was covered in pairs of sharp spikes all the way down. He looks like he gives very dangerous hugs." |
| Dravidosaurus blanfordi | "Dravidan lizard (Blanford's)" | Late Cretaceous | ~85 Ma | H: ~0.3 m (1 ft)
L: ~3 m (10 ft) |
~150 kg
(330 lb) |
Yadagiri & Prasad, 1979 | Trichinopoly Formation (India) | "A mystery! For a long time, scientists thought this was the very last surviving stegosaur. Later, some thought it was a marine reptile bone! Talk about a costume mix-up!" |
| Gigantspinosaurus sichuanensis | "Giant-spined lizard from Sichuan" | Late Jurassic | ~160 Ma | H: ~1.5 m (5 ft)
L: ~4.2 m (14 ft) |
~700 kg
(1,500 lb) |
Ouyang, 1992 | Shaximiao Formation (China) | "His name means 'giant spine lizard' because he has two absolutely enormous shoulder spikes sticking backward! They look like wings made of bone. So aerodynamic!" |
Group 2: True Plated & Spiked Stegosaurids
| Taxon | Meaning | Age | Time | Height / Length | Weight | Author | Formation | Olaf's Comments ☃️ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kentrosaurus aethiopicus | "Spiked lizard from Africa" | Late Jurassic | ~152 Ma | H: ~1.5 m (5 ft)
L: ~4.5 m (15 ft) |
~700–1,100 kg
(1,500–2,400 lb) |
Hennig, 1915 | Tendaguru Formation (Tanzania) | "He has small plates on his neck, but then they turn into giant spikes on his back, hips, and tail! If he wagged his tail, everyone would need to duck!" |
| Lexovisaurus durobrivensis | "Lexovi lizard from Durobrivae" | Middle Jurassic | ~165 Ma | H: ~1.8 m (6 ft)
L: ~5–6 m (16.4–20 ft) |
~2,000 kg
(4,400 lb) |
Hoffstetter, 1957 | Oxford Clay (UK) | "He had flat plates on his back and very long spikes sitting over his hips. He spent his days wandering through ancient mud flats—hopefully he didn't lose his spikes in the clay!" |
| Miragaia longicollum | "Miragaia (town name) long neck" | Late Jurassic | ~150 Ma | H: ~1.8 m (6 ft)
L: ~5.5–6 m (18–20 ft) |
~2,000 kg
(4,400 lb) |
Mateus et al., 2009 | Lourinhã Formation (Portugal) | "A stegosaur trying to look like a long-necked sauropod! He has 17 neck vertebrae, which is more than most long-necks! He wanted the best view of the treetops." |
| Stegosaurus stenops | "Roofed lizard (narrow-faced)" | Late Jurassic | ~155–150 Ma | H: ~5 m (16.4 ft)
L: ~6.5–10.1 m (21–33.1 ft) |
~3,500–5,000 kg
(7,700–11,000 lb) |
Marsh, 1887 | Morrison Formation (USA) | "The world superstar! Giant kite-shaped plates on his back and four huge spikes on his tail called a thagomizer. He had a brain the size of a walnut, but a heart full of plant-loving joy!" |
| Tuojiangosaurus multispinus | "Tuo River lizard (many-spined)" | Late Jurassic | ~160 Ma | H: ~2 m (6.6 ft)
L: ~7 m (23 ft) |
~2,800 kg
(6,100 lb) |
Dong et al., 1977 | Shaximiao Formation (China) | "The first stegosaur ever found in China! His plates look like sharp pear-shaped leaves pointing straight up. He's like a very protective, walking botanical garden." |
| Wuerhosaurus ordosensis | "Wuerho lizard from Ordos" | Early Cretaceous | ~130 Ma | H: ~1.2 m (4 ft)
L: ~4 m (13 ft) |
~1,200 kg
(2,600 lb) |
Dong, 1993 | Ejinhoro Formation (China) | "He lived much later than his famous cousins. His back plates were super wide and round on top, looking exactly like a row of giant, scaly fans or half-melons!" |
Group 1: Family Nodosauridae (The Shielded Tanks)
| Taxon | Meaning | Age | Time | Height / Length | Weight | Author | Formation | Olaf's Comments ☃️ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Antarctopelta oliveroi | "Antarctic shield (Olivero's)" | Late Cretaceous | ~74–70 Ma | H: ~1 m (3.3 ft)
L: ~4 m (13 ft) |
~350 kg
(770 lb) |
Salgado & Gasparini, 2006 | Santa Marta Formation (Antarctica) | "The first dinosaur ever discovered in Antarctica! He absolutely lived in a winter wonderland! He was small but packed full of armor—the perfect frozen fortress." |
| Borealopelta markmitchelli | "Northern shield (Mark Mitchell's)" | Early Cretaceous | ~112 Ma | H: ~1.2 m (4 ft)
L: ~5.5 m (18 ft) |
~1,300 kg
(2,860 lb) |
Brown et al., 2017 | Clear-water Formation (Canada) | "Discovered completely mummified with real fossilized skin and armor still in place! Scientists even found out he was reddish-brown. He looks like a massive, grumpy copper statue!" |
| Edmontonia rugosidens | "From Edmonton (rough teeth)" | Late Cretaceous | ~76–75 Ma | H: ~1.6 m (5.2 ft)
L: ~6 m (20 ft) |
~2,300–3,000 kg
(5,000–6,600 lb) |
Gilmore, 1930 | Dinosaur Park Formation (Canada) | "He has giant, forward-pointing shoulder spikes that look like real swords. If anyone tries to give him a surprise hug from the side... poking noises... Yikes!" |
| Gastonia lorriemcwhinneyae | "Gaston's lizard (Lorrie McWhinney's)" | Early Cretaceous | ~125–119 Ma | H: ~1.2 m (4 ft)
L: ~4.5–5 m (15–16.4 ft) |
~1,500 kg
(3,300 lb) |
Kirkland et al., 2016 | Cedar Mountain Formation (USA) | "This species has highly elaborate, pointier shoulder spikes than its cousin G. burgei! It was named after a lovely paleontologist who found a massive bonebed of them. A spike party!" |
| Nodosaurus textilis | "Knobbed lizard (woven/textile)" | Late Cretaceous | ~99–97 Ma | H: ~1.5 m (5 ft)
L: ~4–6 m (13–20 ft) |
~1,500 kg
(3,300 lb) |
Marsh, 1889 | Frontier Formation (USA) | "His name means 'woven lizard' because his bony armor plates were arranged in beautiful, neat rows like a hand-knitted winter sweater! A very cozy look." |
| Panoplosaurus mirus | "Completely armored lizard (wonderful)" | Late Cretaceous | ~76–75 Ma | H: ~1.6 m (5.2 ft)
L: ~5–7 m (16.4–23 ft) |
~1,500–1,600 kg
(3,300–3,500 lb) |
Lambe, 1919 | Dinosaur Park Formation (Canada) | "Completely armored! Even his cheeks were covered in thick bony plates. He looks like he was constantly holding a giant mouthful of jawbreakers." |
| Sauropelta edwardsorum | "Lizard shield (Edwards family's)" | Early Cretaceous | ~124–108 Ma | H: ~1.4 m (4.6 ft)
L: ~5–6 m (16.4–20 ft) |
~1,500 kg
(3,300 lb) |
Ostrom, 1970 | Cloverly Formation (USA) | "He has a spectacular row of massive, triangular spikes sticking straight out from his neck. He looks like a prehistoric, walking picket fence!" |
| Silvisaurus condrayi | "Forest lizard (Condray's)" | Late Cretaceous | ~98 Ma | H: ~1 m (3.3 ft)
L: ~4 m (13 ft) |
~1,000 kg
(2,200 lb) |
Eaton, 1960 | Dakota Formation (USA) | "A relatively lightweight nodosaur that still kept tiny little teeth in the very front of its beak! He just wasn't ready to go completely toothless like his grandkids." |
| Struthiosaurus transylvanicus | "Ostrich lizard from Transylvania" | Late Cretaceous | ~68–66 Ma | H: ~0.7 m (2.3 ft)
L: ~2–2.5 m (6.6–8.2 ft) |
~300 kg
(660 lb) |
Nopcsa, 1915 | Sânpetru Formation (Romania) | "An island dwarf! Because he lived on an ancient European island, he stayed super small. He is about the size of a large sheep, but way pointier!" |
Group 2: Family Ankylosauridae (The Club-Tailed Heavyweights)
| Taxon | Meaning | Age | Time | Height / Length | Weight | Author | Formation | Olaf's Comments ☃️ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ankylosaurus magniventris | "Fused lizard (great belly)" | Late Cretaceous | ~68–66 Ma | H: ~3.8 m (12.8 ft)
L: ~6–11 m (20–36 ft) |
~4,800–8,000 kg
(10,500–17,600 lb) |
Brown, 1908 | Hell Creek Formation (USA) | "The legendary King of the Clubs! He is as wide and heavy as a military tank, with a tail club that could shatter a T-rex's ankles with one happy wag!" |
| Euoplocephalus tutus | "Well-armed head (safe/protected)" | Late Cretaceous | ~76–75 Ma | H: ~1.5 m (5 ft)
L: ~5–6 m (16.4–20 ft) |
~2,000–2,500 kg
(4,400–5,500 lb) |
Lambe, 1910 | Dinosaur Park Formation (Canada) | "Even his eyelids were armored! He could literally close his eyes and be completely immune to the world. Perfect for taking a nice afternoon winter nap." |
| Minmi paravertebral | "From Minmi Crossing (with extra backbones)" | Early Cretaceous | ~120–112 Ma | H: ~0.8 m (2.6 ft)
L: ~2.5–3 m (8.2–10 ft) |
~300 kg
(660 lb) |
Molnar, 1980 | Bungil Formation (Australia) | "He has an incredibly short name, which is great because it leaves more room for snacks! He had unique bones along his spine to help protect his back." |
| Saichania chulsanensis | "Beautiful one from Chulsan" | Late Cretaceous | ~75–70 Ma | H: ~1.5 m (5 ft)
L: ~5–5.5 m (16.4–18 ft) |
~2,000 kg
(4,400 lb) |
Maryańska, 1977 | Barun Goyot Formation (Mongolia) | "Named 'beautiful one' because the fossil was found in such pristine condition! His armor was incredibly complex, with a modified nose built for breathing dry desert air." |
| Scolosaurus thronus | "Pointed stake lizard (throne)" | Late Cretaceous | ~76.5 Ma | H: ~1.5 m (5 ft)
L: ~5.6 m (18.4 ft) |
~2,000 kg
(4,400 lb) |
Penkalski & Blows, 2013 | Oldman Formation (Canada) | "His species name means 'throne'! He has unique, giant clusters of spines over his hips that look like a royal seat. A king who carries his own throne around!" |
| Talarurus plicatospineus | "Basket tail (folded spines)" | Late Cretaceous | ~96–89 Ma | H: ~1.5 m (5 ft)
L: ~5 m (16.4 ft) |
~2,000 kg
(4,400 lb) |
Maleev, 1952 | Bayan Shireh Formation (Mongolia) | "His name means 'basket tail' because the bones in his tail were woven tightly together to create a perfectly stiff handle for his heavy weapon!" |
| Tarchia teresae | "Brainy one (Teresa's)" | Late Cretaceous | ~71–70 Ma | H: ~1.4 m (4.6 ft)
L: ~4.5–5.5 m (15–18 ft) |
~2,500 kg
(5,500 lb) |
Penkalski, 2014 | Barun Goyot Formation (Mongolia) | "Named 'brainy one' because his skull has a much larger brain space than his cousin Saichania! This species was split into its own group in 2014—smart move, Tarchia!" |
Suborder Rhamphorhynchoidea (The Primitive Long-Tails)
| Taxon | Meaning | Age | Time | Height / Wingspan / Length | Weight | Author | Formation | Olaf's Comments ☃️ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dimorphodon macronyx | "Two-form tooth (large claw)" | Early Jurassic | ~195–190 Ma | WS: ~1.4 m (4.6 ft)
L: ~1 m (3.3 ft) |
~1–2 kg
(2.2–4.4 lb) |
Owen, 1859 | Blue Lias Formation (UK) | "He has a giant puffin-like skull combined with a long lizard tail! It looks like he couldn’t decide if he wanted to be a bird, a bat, or a gecko. Quite a confusing look!" |
| Dorygnathus banthensis | "Spear jaw from Banz" | Early Jurassic | ~180 Ma | WS: ~1.5 m (5 ft)
L: ~0.6 m (2 ft) |
~1.5 kg
(3.3 lb) |
Wagner, 1860 | Posidonia Shale (Germany) | "His teeth stick straight out of his mouth like a handful of long, pointy icicles! They are perfectly designed for spearing slippery fish right out of the cold water." |
| Eudimorphodon ranzii | "True two-form tooth (Ranzi's)" | Late Triassic | ~210 Ma | WS: ~1 m (3.3 ft)
L: ~0.4 m (1.3 ft) |
~100–300 g
(0.2–0.6 lb) |
Zambelli, 1973 | Zorzino Limestone (Italy) | "One of the absolute earliest flying reptiles ever discovered! He had over 100 tiny teeth packed into his jaw. I hope he doesn't lose any while crunching on prehistoric bugs!" |
| Anurognathus ammoni | "Without tail jaw (Ammon's)" | Late Jurassic | ~150 Ma | WS: ~0.5 m (1.6 ft)
L: ~0.05 m (2 in) |
~40 g
(0.1 lb) |
Döderlein, 1923 | Solnhofen Limestone (Germany) | "He has no tail at all and a huge, wide mouth like a little frog with bat wings! He looks like a friendly pocket-sized flying puffball. I want to catch one and put it in my pocket!" |
| Rhamphorhynchus etchesi | "Beak snout (Etches's)" | Late Jurassic | ~150 Ma | WS: ~1.7 m (5.6 ft)
L: ~1.2 m (4 ft) |
~1–2 kg
(2.2–4.4 lb) |
Martill et al., 2015 | Kimmeridge Clay (UK) | "Discovered from a single beautifully preserved wing in England! He had a diamond-shaped vane on the tip of his tail that acts like a tiny boat rudder in the wind! Splendid steering!" |
| Scaphognathus crassirostris | "Tub jaw (thick snout)" | Late Jurassic | ~150 Ma | WS: ~0.9 m (3 ft)
L: ~0.5 m (1.6 ft) |
~500 g
(1.1 lb) |
Goldfuss, 1831 | Solnhofen Limestone (Germany) | "Nicknamed the 'tub jaw' because his snout is blunt and sturdy compared to his needle-nosed cousins. He looks like he’s constantly frowning at something very serious." |
| Sordes pilosus | "Filth/Scum (hairy)" | Late Jurassic | ~155 Ma | WS: ~0.6 m (2 ft)
L: ~0.4 m (1.3 ft) |
~200 g
(0.4 lb) |
Sharov, 1971 | Karabastau Formation (Kazakhstan) | "A terrible name for a wonderful creature! His fossil preserved a thick layer of fuzzy pycnofibers all over his body. He was wearing a beautiful fur coat to stay warm!" |
Suborder Pterodactyloidea (The Advanced Short-Tails)
| Taxon | Meaning | Age | Time | Height / Wingspan / Length | Weight | Author | Formation | Olaf's Comments ☃️ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Caiuajara dobruskii | "Caiuá wizard (Dobruski's)" | Early Cretaceous | ~120–100 Ma | WS: ~2.35 m (7.7 ft)
L: ~1.3 m (4.3 ft) |
~3.5 kg
(7.7 lb) |
Manzig et al., 2014 | Goio-Erê Formation (Brazil) | "They found hundreds of these fossils grouped together in an ancient desert oasis! As adults, they grew giant bony head crests shaped exactly like big shark fins! Truly fashionable desert dwellers!" |
| Cearadactylus atrox | "Ceará finger (lethal/fierce)" | Early Cretaceous | ~112 Ma | WS: ~4–5.5 m (13–18 ft)
L: ~2.5 m (8.2 ft) |
~15 kg
(33 lb) |
Leonardi & Borgomanero, 1985 | Romualdo Formation / Santana Group (Brazil) | "His name means 'lethal finger'! He has a kinked upper jaw filled with long interlocking teeth that create a perfect cage for catching slippery fish. It’s like a built-in fishing net!" |
| Geosternbergia sternbergi | "George Sternberg's mountain" | Late Cretaceous | ~88–85 Ma | WS: ~3–6 m (10–20 ft)
L: ~2 m (6.6 ft) |
~15–20 kg
(33–44 lb) |
Miller, 1972 | Niobrara Formation (USA) | "A close cousin of Pteranodon, but his head crest stands straight up into a giant, tall blade instead of pointing backward! He looks like a flying sails-ship." |
| Pteranodon longiceps | "Winged toothless (long head)" | Late Cretaceous | ~86–84 Ma | WS: ~5.6–7 m (18–23 ft)
L: ~2.4 m (8 ft) |
~20–35 kg
(44–77 lb) |
Marsh, 1776 | Niobrara Formation (USA) | "The absolute icon of the skies! Despite being huge, they don't have a single tooth in their long beak. They just glided gracefully over the ocean waves like giant scaly hang-gliders." |
| Quetzalcoatlus lawsoni | "Feathered serpent (Lawson's)" | Late Cretaceous | ~68–66 Ma | WS: ~4.5–25 m (15–82.5 ft)
L: ~13.5 m (44.5 ft) |
~60–70,000 kg
(132–154,000 lb) |
Andres & Langston, 2021 | Javelina Formation (USA) | "A smaller cousin of the colossal Q. northropi, but still the size of a horse! Scientists think they hunted on foot on land, walking around on four limbs like giant, terrifying storks!" |
| Pterodaustro guinazui | "South wing (Guiñazú's)" | Early Cretaceous | ~105 Ma | WS: ~2.5 m (8.2 ft)
L: ~1.2 m (4 ft) |
~2–3 kg
(4.4–6.6 lb) |
Bonaparte, 1969 | Lagarcito Formation (Argentina) | "The ultimate flamingo mimic! His bottom jaw curves upward and is packed with thousands of bristle-like teeth designed to filter tiny shrimp out of the mud. Delightful manners!" |
Group 1: Sharks & Armored Fish (Lamniformes & Arthrodira)
| Taxon | Meaning | Age | Time | Height / Length | Weight | Author | Formation | Olaf's Comments ☃️ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Otodus megalodon | "Giant tooth" | Miocene to Pliocene | ~23–3.6 Ma | L: ~15–20 m (50–65 ft) | ~30,000–65,000 kg
(66,000–143,000 lb) |
Agassiz, 1843 | Yorktown Formation (USA) | "A shark with teeth as big as dinner plates! Just one bite and my entire head, carrot and all, would be gone. I think I’ll stay on the shore building sand-sharks instead." |
| Dunkleosteus amblyodoratus | "Dunkle's bone (blunt spear)" | Late Devonian | ~360 Ma | L: ~2–3 m (6.5–10 ft) | ~150–250 kg
(330–550 lb) |
Carr & Hlavin, 2010 | Kettle Point Formation (Canada) | "This species is named 'blunt spear' because of the shape of his head armor! He didn't have true teeth—just giant, self-sharpening skull blades! Talk about an intense smile." |
Group 2: Order Ichthyosauria (The Fish-Lizards)
| Taxon | Meaning | Age | Time | Height / Length | Weight | Author | Formation | Olaf's Comments ☃️ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ichthyosaurus conybeari | "Fish lizard (Conybeare's)" | Early Jurassic | ~195 Ma | L: ~1.5–2 m (5–6.6 ft) | ~40–80 kg
(88–176 lb) |
Lydekker, 1888 | Blue Lias Formation (UK) | "The rarest species of its genus! He looks exactly like a dolphin made of reptile scales. I wonder if he ever tried jumping out of the water to catch rogue snowflakes?" |
| Eurhinosaurus huenei | "Well-nosed lizard (von Huene's)" | Early Jurassic | ~180 Ma | L: ~6 m (20 ft) | ~1,000 kg
(2,200 lb) |
Abel, 1909 | Posidonia Shale (Germany) | "His upper jaw is twice as long as his lower jaw! He looks exactly like a swordfish, but he's a reptile. He’s basically a swimming icicle with flippers!" |
| Ophthalmosaurus icenicus | "Eye lizard (of the Iceni)" | Late Jurassic | ~165–160 Ma | L: ~4–5 m (13–16 ft) | ~900–1,000 kg
(2,000–2,200 lb) |
Seeley, 1874 | Oxford Clay Formation (UK) | "He had eyes the size of giant dinner plates to help him see in the deep, dark ocean! If I had eyes that big, I’d see Kristoff sneaking carrots from a mile away!" |
Group 3: Order Plesiosauria (Long-Necks & Big-Bites)
| Taxon | Meaning | Age | Time | Height / Length | Weight | Author | Formation | Olaf's Comments ☃️ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Elasmosaurus platyurus | "Thin-plate lizard (flat-tailed)" | Late Cretaceous | ~80 Ma | L: ~10.3 m (34 ft) | ~2,000 kg
(4,400 lb) |
Cope, 1868 | Pierre Shale (USA) | "His neck has 72 vertebrae! That's more than half his entire body length! When he swallows a cold, refreshing fish, it must take a whole minute to reach his belly." |
| Plesiosaurus dolichodeirus | "Near lizard (long neck)" | Early Jurassic | ~199–190 Ma | L: ~3.5 m (11.5 ft) | ~400 kg
(880 lb) |
Conybeare, 1824 | Blue Lias (UK) | "The original sea dragon discovered by Mary Anning! He has a tiny head on a long, elegant snake neck. He looks like a turtle that stretched its neck way too far." |
| Trinacromerum kirki | "Three-tipped femur (Kirk's)" | Late Cretaceous | ~90 Ma | L: ~3 m (10 ft) | ~400 kg
(880 lb) |
Morrow, 1935 | Smoky Hill Chalk (USA) | "A short-necked plesiosaur built entirely for speed! His four flippers look like underwater wings. He must have flown through the water like an emperor penguin!" |
| Attenborosaurus conybeari | "Attenborough's lizard (Conybeare's)" | Early Jurassic | ~190 Ma | L: ~5 m (16.4 ft) | ~1,000 kg
(2,200 lb) |
Bakker, 1993 | Blue Lias (UK) | "Named after Sir David Attenborough! The original fossil was sadly destroyed in a World War II bombing, but thankfully scientists kept plaster casts. History is so precious!" |
| Kronosaurus queenslandicus | "Kronos's lizard (from Queensland)" | Early Cretaceous | ~120–110 Ma | L: ~9–11 m (30–36 ft) | ~7,000–11,000 kg
(15,400–24,200 lb) |
Longman, 1924 | Toolebuc Formation (Australia) | "Named after the titan who ate his own children! Yikes, remind me never to invite him to family game night. His skull alone is bigger than Kristoff!" |
| Liopleurodon ferox | "Smooth-sided tooth (ferocious)" | Late Jurassic | ~160–155 Ma | L: ~5–7 m (16.4–23 ft) | ~1,000–3,000 kg
(2,200–6,600 lb) |
Sauvage, 1873 | Oxford Clay (France/UK) | "A massive apex predator of the Jurassic seas. He had a super keen sense of smell that could track down prey through the water currents. A true bloodhound of the deep!" |
Group 4: Order Squamata (The Scaled Lizards & Snakes)
| Taxon | Meaning | Age | Time | Height / Length | Weight | Author | Formation | Olaf's Comments ☃️ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Clidastes propython | "Locked vertebrae (before python)" | Late Cretaceous | ~85–80 Ma | L: ~2–4 m (6.6–13 ft) | ~50–100 kg
(110–220 lb) |
Cope, 1868 | Mooreville Chalk (USA) | "One of the earliest and slimmest mosasaurs! His vertebrae locked together tightly to help him swim like a sea snake. A very wiggly, very fast ocean monitor lizard!" |
| Jormungandr walhallaensis | "Jormungandr (Norse world serpent) from Walhalla" | Late Cretaceous | ~80 Ma | L: ~5.4–7.3 m (18–24 ft) | ~1,000–2,000 kg
(2,200–4,400 lb) |
Zietlow, Boyd & Van Vranken, 2023 | Pierre Shale Formation (USA) | "Named after the giant sea serpent from Norse mythology! That's right from our neighborhood folklore! He’s a perfect mix of an early and advanced mosasaur—a mythical neighbor!" |
| Mosasaurus beaugei | "Meuse River lizard (Beaugé's)" | Late Cretaceous | ~66 Ma | L: ~8–36 m (26–120 ft) | ~3,000–50,000 kg
(6,600–110,000 lb) |
Arambourg, 1952 | Oulad Abdoun Basin (Morocco) | "A giant, heavily built sea lizard from Morocco. He had a massive, bone-crushing bite. He definitely wasn't looking for warm hugs, just high-seas snacks!" |
| Megalania priscus | "Giant ancient roamer" | Pleistocene | ~2 Ma–40,000 YA | H: ~1–1.5 m (3.3–5 ft)
L: ~5.5–7 m (18–23 ft) |
~600–1,900 kg
(1,300–4,200 lb) |
Owen, 1859 | Allingham Formation (Australia) | "The only land-dweller on this list! He's a giant venomous Komodo dragon cousin that lived alongside early humans! Imagine going for a walk and finding a lizard the size of a car!" |
Synapsids & Early Mammal Relatives
| Taxon | Meaning | Age | Time | Height / Length | Weight | Author | Formation | Olaf's Comments ☃️ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dimetrodon grandis | "Two-measures of tooth (grand)" | Early Permian | ~280 Ma | H: ~1.2 m (4 ft)
L: ~3–3.5 m (10–11.5 ft) |
~250 kg
(550 lb) |
Romer & Price, 1940 | Arroyo Formation (USA) | "A giant land predator with a massive sail on his back! He looks like a sailboat that forgot how to swim and had to walk on the ground instead. Very creative!" |
| Lystrosaurus curvatus | "Shovel lizard (curved)" | Late Permian to Early Triassic | ~252–251 Ma | H: ~0.4 m (1.3 ft)
L: ~1 m (3.3 ft) |
~30–40 kg
(66–88 lb) |
Owen, 1859 | Balfour Formation (South Africa) | "The ultimate survival champion! When almost everything else on Earth disappeared during a massive extinction, this little tusked buddy kept on digging and eating roots. What a trooper!" |
| Bulbasaurus phylloxyron | "Bulb lizard (leaf razor)" | Late Permian | ~256 Ma | H: ~0.2 m (8 in)
L: ~0.5 m (1.6 ft) |
~2–4 kg
(4.4–8.8 lb) |
Kammerer & Christian, 2017 | Vryheid Formation (South Africa) | "Wait... Bulbasaurus?! He is a small, tusked dicynodont, but he is named after a famous pocket monster! He even has a beak for chopping up leaves. I wonder if he can do a Razor Leaf attack?!" |
| Alphadon halleyi | "First tooth (Halley's)" | Late Cretaceous | ~75 Ma | H: ~0.08 m (3 in)
L: ~0.3 m (1 ft) |
~100–200 g
(0.2–0.4 lb) |
Sahni, 1972 | Judith River Formation (USA) | "A tiny, furry marsupial relative living right under the feet of the giant dinosaurs! He looks like an adorable little opossum. He’s so small I could tuck him right under my carrot nose!" |
