Here is the comprehensive prehistoric profile for your selected prehistoric marine predators, lizards, and ancient fish, organized systematically by order and family.
🦈 Order Lamniformes & Order Arthrodira
| Profile Field
|
Otodus megalodon
|
Dunkleosteus amblyodoratus
|
| Scientific Name
|
Otodus megalodon
|
Dunkleosteus amblyodoratus
|
| Size
|
15 – 20 meters (49 – 65 ft) long
|
5 – 6 meters (16 – 20 ft) long
|
| Diet
|
Carnivore (Whales, sirenians, large fish)
|
Carnivore (Armored fish, ammonites, sharks)
|
| Habitat
|
Warm-temperate to tropical coastal & pelagic oceans
|
Shallow, subtropical epicontinental seas
|
| Where Found / Formation
|
Worldwide; Yorktown, Bone Valley, Calvert Formations
|
North America, Europe; Kettle Point Formation
|
| Time
|
Miocene to Pliocene (23 – 3.6 Ma)
|
Late Devonian (Famennian, ~360 Ma)
|
| Related Genera
|
Carcharocles, Otodus, Parotodus
|
Eastmanosteus, Titanichthys
|
| Chart Table Data
|
|
|
| 🔹 Meaning
|
"Giant tooth"
|
"Dunkle's bone; blunt spear"
|
| 🔹 Species
|
O. megalodon
|
D. amblyodoratus
|
| 🔹 Diet
|
Apex Marine Carnivore
|
Apex Marine Macrophage
|
| 🔹 Epoch / Stage / Years
|
Miocene–Pliocene (Zanclean)
|
Late Devonian (Famennian)
|
| 🔹 Origin (Franchise)
|
Meg, Jurassic Park Explorer, Ark
|
Feed and Grow: Fish, Hungry Shark
|
| 🔹 Estimated L & H
|
L: 15–20m, H: ~4m (Dorsal fin)
|
L: 5–6m, H: ~1.5m
|
| 🔹 Weight
|
50 – 100 metric tons
|
1 – 1.5 metric tons
|
| 🔹 Collected
|
Teeth, isolated vertebral centra
|
Fragmentary dermal armor plates, gnathal plates
|
| 🔹 Status / Author / Year
|
Valid; Agassiz, 1835
|
Valid; Carr & Hlavin, 2010
|
| 🔹 Area / Locality
|
Global (USA, Peru, Australia, Japan)
|
Ontario, Canada; Ohio, USA
|
| 🔹 Brian's Comments
|
The ultimate marine apex predator; its extinction opened the door for modern baleen whale gigantism.
|
Features a distinctive blunt, spear-like plate configuration that set it apart from D. terrelli.
|
🐬 Order Ichthyosauria (Fish-Lizards)
| Profile Field
|
Ichthyosaurus conybeari
|
Eurhinosaurus huenei
|
Ophthalmosaurus icenicus
|
| Scientific Name
|
Ichthyosaurus conybeari
|
Eurhinosaurus huenei
|
Ophthalmosaurus icenicus
|
| Size
|
2 meters (6.5 ft) long
|
6 meters (20 ft) long
|
6 meters (20 ft) long
|
| Diet
|
Piscivore (Fish, small cephalopods)
|
Piscivore / Teuthivore (Swordfish-like hunter)
|
Teuthivore (Deep-sea squid, soft fish)
|
| Habitat
|
Pelagic open oceans & shelf seas
|
Open marine pelagic zones
|
Deep pelagic oceans (Deep-diver)
|
| Where Found / Formation
|
United Kingdom; Blue Lias Formation
|
Germany, France; Posidonia Shale
|
UK, Americas; Oxford Clay Formation
|
| Time
|
Early Jurassic (Hettangian–Sinemurian)
|
Early Jurassic (Toarcian, ~180 Ma)
|
Middle to Late Jurassic (~165–160 Ma)
|
| Related Genera
|
Temnodontosaurus, Stenopterygius
|
Excalibosaurus, Leptonectes
|
Arthropterygius, Baptanodon
|
| Chart Table Data
|
|
|
|
| 🔹 Meaning
|
"Fish lizard honoring Conybeare"
|
"Well-nosed lizard honoring Huene"
|
"Eye lizard from the Iceni region"
|
| 🔹 Species
|
I. conybeari
|
E. huenei
|
O. icenicus
|
| 🔹 Diet
|
Fish and Ammonites
|
Fish, Squid, Pelagic organisms
|
Deep-water Squid and Belemnites
|
| 🔹 Epoch / Stage / Years
|
Early Jurassic (~200–195 Ma)
|
Early Jurassic (Toarcian)
|
Middle–Late Jurassic (Callovian–Oxfordian)
|
| 🔹 Origin (Franchise)
|
Sea Monsters (BBC), Jurassic World Alive
|
Ark: Survival Evolved (Mods), Dino Crisis
|
Walking with Dinosaurs (BBC)
|
| 🔹 Estimated L & H
|
L: 2m, H: 0.5m
|
L: 6m, H: 1.2m
|
L: 6m, H: 1.5m
|
| 🔹 Weight
|
80 – 100 kg
|
1 metric ton
|
2 – 3 metric tons
|
| 🔹 Collected
|
Articulated skeletons, skulls
|
Complete articulated skeletons
|
Well-preserved three-dimensional skulls
|
| 🔹 Status / Author / Year
|
Valid; Lydekker, 1888
|
Valid; Abel, 1909
|
Valid; Seeley, 1874
|
| 🔹 Area / Locality
|
Lyme Regis, Dorset, England
|
Holzmaden, Baden-Württemberg, Germany
|
Peterborough, England; Wyoming, USA
|
| 🔹 Brian's Comments
|
Classic British ichthyosaur species named to honor early geologist William Conybeare.
|
Unbelievable extreme overbite, mimicking a modern sawfish or swordfish to slash prey.
|
Massive sclerotic rings protect eyes the size of dinner plates, built for hunting in total darkness.
|
🦕 Order Plesiosauria (Family Plesiosauridae)
| Profile Field
|
Elasmosaurus platyurus
|
Plesiosaurus dolichodeirus
|
Trinacromerum kirki
|
| Scientific Name
|
Elasmosaurus platyurus
|
Plesiosaurus dolichodeirus
|
Trinacromerum kirki
|
| Size
|
10.3 meters (34 ft) long
|
3.5 meters (11.5 ft) long
|
3 meters (10 ft) long
|
| Diet
|
Piscivore (Small fish, cephalopods)
|
Piscivore (Fish, belemnites)
|
Fast-swimming Piscivore (Pelagic fish)
|
| Habitat
|
Shallow epicontinental seaways
|
Coastal marine environments
|
Western Interior Seaway (Pelagic)
|
| Where Found / Formation
|
Kansas, USA; Pierre Shale
|
Dorset, England; Blue Lias
|
Kansas, USA; Greenhorn Limestone
|
| Time
|
Late Cretaceous (Campanian, ~80 Ma)
|
Early Jurassic (Sinemurian, ~199 Ma)
|
Late Cretaceous (Cenomanian–Turonian)
|
| Related Genera
|
Styxosaurus, Albertonectes
|
Hydrorion, Microcleidus
|
Dolichorhynchops, Polycotylus
|
| Chart Table Data
|
|
|
|
| 🔹 Meaning
|
"Thin-plate lizard with a flat tail"
|
"Near-to-lizard with a long neck"
|
"Three-tipped femur honoring Kirk"
|
| 🔹 Species
|
E. platyurus
|
P. dolichodeirus
|
T. kirki
|
| 🔹 Diet
|
Schooling fish, soft cephalopods
|
Small fish, squid, bottom-dwellers
|
Fast pelagic fish, squid
|
| 🔹 Epoch / Stage / Years
|
Late Cretaceous (Campanian)
|
Early Jurassic (Sinemurian)
|
Late Cretaceous (~93 Ma)
|
| 🔹 Origin (Franchise)
|
Chased by Sea Monsters, Ark, JWE2
|
Jurassic Park (Kenner), Dino Dan
|
Sea Monsters: A Prehistoric Adventure
|
| 🔹 Estimated L & H
|
L: 10.3m, H: 1.5m (Body)
|
L: 3.5m, H: 0.6m
|
L: 3m, H: 0.7m
|
| 🔹 Weight
|
2 metric tons
|
400 – 450 kg
|
300 – 400 kg
|
| 🔹 Collected
|
Holotype skeleton (missing skull)
|
Complete skeletons found by Mary Anning
|
Nearly complete articulated skeletons
|
| 🔹 Status / Author / Year
|
Valid; Cope, 1868
|
Valid; Conybeare, 1824
|
Valid; Morrow, 1935
|
| 🔹 Area / Locality
|
Logan County, Kansas, USA
|
Lyme Regis, Dorset, England
|
Russell County, Kansas, USA
|
| 🔹 Brian's Comments
|
Famously reconstructed with the head on the tail end by Edward Drinker Cope during the Bone Wars.
|
The fundamental species discovered by Mary Anning that proved the reality of ancient marine reptiles.
|
A short-necked polycotylid plesiosaur built like an underwater torpedo for rapid pursuits.
|
🐊 Order Plesiosauria (Family Pliosauridae)
| Profile Field
|
Attenborosaurus conybeari
|
Kronosaurus queenslandicus
|
Liopleurodon ferox
|
| Scientific Name
|
Attenborosaurus conybeari
|
Kronosaurus queenslandicus
|
Liopleurodon ferox
|
| Size
|
5 meters (16.4 ft) long
|
9 – 10.5 meters (30 – 34 ft) long
|
5 – 7 meters (16 – 23 ft) long
|
| Diet
|
Piscivore / Generalist Carnivore
|
Apex Carnivore (Plesiosaurs, turtles)
|
Apex Carnivore (Fish, marine reptiles)
|
| Habitat
|
Warm, shallow epicontinental seas
|
High-latitude, cool marine shelves
|
Shallow epicontinental coastal seas
|
| Where Found / Formation
|
Dorset, England; Charmouth Mudstone
|
Queensland, Australia; Toolebuc Formation
|
England, France; Oxford Clay
|
| Time
|
Early Jurassic (Sinemurian, ~196 Ma)
|
Early Cretaceous (Albian, ~110 Ma)
|
Middle to Late Jurassic (~165–155 Ma)
|
| Related Genera
|
Pliosaurus, Peloneustes
|
Brachauchenius, Megacephalosaurus
|
Simolestes, Pliosaurus
|
| Chart Table Data
|
|
|
|
| 🔹 Meaning
|
"David Attenborough's lizard"
|
"Titan Kronos' lizard from Queensland"
|
"Smooth-sided teeth, ferocious"
|
| 🔹 Species
|
A. conybeari
|
K. queenslandicus
|
L. ferox
|
| 🔹 Diet
|
Fish, small marine vertebrates
|
Marine reptiles, giant ammonites, fish
|
Large fish, ichthyosaurs, plesiosaurs
|
| 🔹 Epoch / Stage / Years
|
Early Jurassic (Sinemurian)
|
Early Cretaceous (Aptian–Albian)
|
Middle–Late Jurassic (Callovian)
|
| 🔹 Origin (Franchise)
|
Jurassic World Evolution 2
|
Ark: Survival Evolved, JWE2
|
Walking with Dinosaurs (BBC)
|
| 🔹 Estimated L & H
|
L: 5m, H: 0.8m
|
L: 9–10.5m, H: 2.2m
|
L: 5–7m, H: 1.5m
|
| 🔹 Weight
|
1 metric ton
|
10 – 11 metric tons
|
1.5 – 3 metric tons
|
| 🔹 Collected
|
Plaster cast (Original destroyed in WWII)
|
Fragmentary skull and skeleton parts
|
Skulls, teeth, well-preserved skeletons
|
| 🔹 Status / Author / Year
|
Valid; Bakker, 1993
|
Valid; Longman, 1924
|
Valid; Sauvage, 1873
|
| 🔹 Area / Locality
|
Lyme Regis, Dorset, England
|
Hughenden, Queensland, Australia
|
Peterborough, UK; Normandy, France
|
| 🔹 Brian's Comments
|
Originally classified as Plesiosaurus, Robert Bakker re-evaluated it as a unique basal pliosaur.
|
Possessed a massive 2.7-meter skull armed with crushing, banana-sized teeth.
|
Pop culture overblown size estimates (25m) were scaled down by modern paleontology to a still-deadly 7m.
|
🦎 Order Squamata (Snakes, Lizards, and True Mosasaurs)
| Profile Field
|
Clidastes propython
|
Jormungandr walhallaensis
|
Mosasaurus beaugei
|
Megalania priscus (Varanus priscus)
|
| Scientific Name
|
Clidastes propython
|
Jormungandr walhallaensis
|
Mosasaurus beaugei
|
Varanus priscus
|
| Size
|
2 – 4 meters (6.5–13 ft) long
|
7.3 meters (24 ft) long
|
8 – 40 meters (26–130 ft) long
|
5.5 – 7 meters (18–23 ft) long
|
| Diet
|
Small fish, cephalopods
|
Generalist marine carnivore
|
Apex predator (Reptiles, sharks)
|
Carnivore (Large marsupials, birds)
|
| Habitat
|
Shallow coastal waters, bays
|
Transmarginal inland seaways
|
Deep & shallow warm oceans
|
Terrestrial open forests, woodlands
|
| Where Found / Formation
|
USA; Mooreville Chalk, Niobrara
|
North Dakota, USA; Pierre Shale
|
Morocco; Oulad Abdoun Basin
|
Australia; King Creek, Darling Downs
|
| Time
|
Late Cretaceous (Coniacian–Campanian)
|
Late Cretaceous (Campanian, ~73 Ma)
|
Late Cretaceous (Maastrichtian, ~66 Ma)
|
Pleistocene (2 Ma – 40,000 years ago)
|
| Related Genera
|
Mosasaurus, Globidens
|
Mosasaurus, Clidastes
|
Tylosaurus, Plotosaurus
|
Varanus komodoensis (Komodo dragon)
|
| Chart Table Data
|
|
|
|
|
| 🔹 Meaning
|
"Locked-key vertebrae archetype"
|
"Midgard Serpent from Walhalla"
|
"Meuse River lizard; Beaugé's"
|
"Ancient giant roamer"
|
| 🔹 Species
|
C. propython
|
J. walhallaensis
|
M. beaugei
|
V. priscus
|
| 🔹 Diet
|
Small agile fish, sea birds
|
Fish, smaller marine reptiles
|
Sharks, plesiosaurs, mosasaurs
|
Mega-fauna, giant wombats
|
| 🔹 Epoch / Stage / Years
|
Late Cretaceous (~85–80 Ma)
|
Late Cretaceous (Campanian)
|
Late Cretaceous (Maastrichtian)
|
Pleistocene Epoch
|
| 🔹 Origin (Franchise)
|
Sea Monsters (BBC Game)
|
Path of Titans, Indie Fossil Media
|
Jurassic World (Franchise cousin)
|
Ark, Monsters We Met (BBC)
|
| 🔹 Estimated L & H
|
L: 3m, H: 0.4m
|
L: 7.3m, H: 1.2m
|
L: 40m, H: 5.8m
|
L: 6m, H: 1.3m
|
| 🔹 Weight
|
100 – 200 kg
|
1.5 metric tons
|
4 – 5 metric tons
|
600 – 1,900 kg
|
| 🔹 Collected
|
Complete articulated skeletons
|
Exceptionally complete skull, spine
|
Skulls, isolated jaw structures
|
Osteoderms, vertebrae, partial limbs
|
| 🔹 Status / Author / Year
|
Valid; Cope, 1869
|
Valid; Zietlow et al., 2023
|
Valid; Arambourg, 1952
|
Valid; Owen, 1859
|
| 🔹 Area / Locality
|
Alabama, Kansas, South Dakota
|
Walhalla, North Dakota, USA
|
Khouribga Province, Morocco
|
Queensland, New South Wales
|
| 🔹 Brian's Comments
|
An agile, slim coastal swimmer; one of the earliest well-studied true mosasaurs.
|
A crucial transitional link bridging smaller mosasaurs like Clidastes with true giants.
|
A stocky, thick-skulled Moroccan powerhouse specialized in crunching armored prey.
|
The largest terrestrial lizard known to science, which coexisted with early Indigenous Australians.
|
🦇 Suborder Rhamphorhynchoidea (Primitive Long-Tailed Pterosaurs)
Family Dimorphodontidae & Eudimorphodontidae
| Profile Field
|
Dimorphodon macronyx
|
Dorygnathus banthensis
|
Eudimorphodon ranzii
|
| Scientific Name
|
Dimorphodon macronyx
|
Dorygnathus banthensis
|
Eudimorphodon ranzii
|
| Size
|
1 meter long; 1.45m wingspan
|
1 meter long; 1.5m wingspan
|
0.5 meters long; 1m wingspan
|
| Diet
|
Generalist (Insects, small vertebrates)
|
Piscivore (Fish, soft cephalopods)
|
Piscivore / Insectivore (Fish, hard insects)
|
| Habitat
|
Coastal cliffs and lowlands
|
Marine coastlines and shelf lagoons
|
Tropical coastal lagoons and marine margins
|
| Where Found / Formation
|
United Kingdom; Blue Lias Formation
|
Germany; Posidonia Shale Formation
|
Italy; Zorzino Limestone Formation
|
| Time
|
Early Jurassic (~195–190 Ma)
|
Early Jurassic (Toarcian, ~182 Ma)
|
Late Triassic (Norian, ~210 Ma)
|
| Related Genera
|
Peteinosaurus, Caelestiventus
|
Campylognathoides, Rhamphinion
|
Caviramus, Arcticodactylus
|
| Chart Table Data
|
|
|
|
| 🔹 Meaning
|
"Two-form tooth with large claws"
|
"Spear jaw from Banz"
|
"True two-form tooth honoring Ranzi"
|
| 🔹 Species
|
D. macronyx
|
D. banthensis
|
E. ranzii
|
| 🔹 Diet
|
Small lizards, large insects, mammals
|
Small agile fish, squid
|
Fish, crustaceans, hard-shelled prey
|
| 🔹 Epoch / Stage / Years
|
Early Jurassic (Sinemurian)
|
Early Jurassic (Toarcian)
|
Late Triassic (Norian)
|
| 🔹 Origin (Franchise)
|
Jurassic World, Ark: Survival Evolved
|
Dinosaur Revolution, Fossil League
|
Sea Monsters (BBC), Prehistoric Kingdom
|
| 🔹 Estimated L & H
|
L: 1m, H: 0.4m (standing)
|
L: 1m, H: 0.35m
|
L: 0.5m, H: 0.2m
|
| 🔹 Weight
|
2 – 3 kg
|
2 kg
|
1 kg
|
| 🔹 Collected
|
Complete skeleton (Mary Anning)
|
Skulls, isolated jaw arches, skeletons
|
Complete articulated skeletons with tissue
|
| 🔹 Status / Author / Year
|
Valid; Owen, 1859
|
Valid; Wagner, 1860
|
Valid; Zambelli, 1973
|
| 🔹 Area / Locality
|
Lyme Regis, Dorset, England
|
Holzmaden, Baden-Württemberg, Germany
|
Cene, Bergamo, Lombardy, Italy
|
| 🔹 Brian's Comments
|
The massive, puffin-like skull looks heavy but is a lattice of ultra-light bone structures.
|
Fierce, forward-jutting fangs formed an inescapable fish-basket when snapping closed.
|
One of the oldest known flying vertebrates, retaining highly complex multi-cusped teeth.
|
Family Rhamphorhynchidae (Part 1)
| Profile Field
|
Anurognathus ammoni
|
Rhamphorhynchus etchesi
|
| Scientific Name
|
Anurognathus ammoni
|
Rhamphorhynchus etchesi
|
| Size
|
9 cm long; 50 cm wingspan
|
50 cm long; 1.7m wingspan
|
| Diet
|
Insectivore (Moths, beetles)
|
Piscivore (Small fish, squid)
|
| Habitat
|
Subtropical forests and island lagoons
|
Coastal marine horizons and muddy bays
|
| Where Found / Formation
|
Germany; Solnhofen Limestone
|
United Kingdom; Kimmeridge Clay Formation
|
| Time
|
Late Jurassic (Tithonian, ~150 Ma)
|
Late Jurassic (Kimmeridgian, ~152 Ma)
|
| Related Genera
|
Jeholopterus, Batrachognathus
|
Scaphognathus, Cacibupteryx
|
| Chart Table Data
|
|
|
| 🔹 Meaning
|
"Tailless jaw honoring Ammon"
|
"Beak snout honoring Steve Etches"
|
| 🔹 Species
|
A. ammoni
|
R. etchesi
|
| 🔹 Diet
|
Nocturnal insects, aerial prey
|
Fish, marine invertebrates, soft cephalopods
|
| 🔹 Epoch / Stage / Years
|
Late Jurassic (Tithonian)
|
Late Jurassic (Kimmeridgian)
|
| 🔹 Origin (Franchise)
|
Walking with Dinosaurs, Primeval
|
Walking with Dinosaurs (Cruel Sea retro-identity)
|
| 🔹 Estimated L & H
|
L: 9cm, H: 5cm
|
L: 50cm, H: 20cm
|
| 🔹 Weight
|
40 grams
|
1 – 1.5 kg
|
| 🔹 Collected
|
Crushed but complete skeletons with impressions
|
Single exquisite, elongated wing specimen
|
| 🔹 Status / Author / Year
|
Valid; Döderlein, 1923
|
Valid; Martill et al., 2015
|
| 🔹 Area / Locality
|
Eichstätt, Bavaria, Germany
|
Kimmeridge, Dorset, England
|
| 🔹 Brian's Comments
|
Fledgling giant hunter that caught insects mid-air like a modern nightjar or bat.
|
Boasts unique, elongated distal wing mechanics setting it apart from German species.
|
Family Rhamphorhynchidae (Part 2)
| Profile Field
|
Scaphognathus crassirostris
|
Sordes pilosus
|
| Scientific Name
|
Scaphognathus crassirostris
|
Sordes pilosus
|
| Size
|
0.9 meters long; 1.2m wingspan
|
0.4 meters long; 0.6m wingspan
|
| Diet
|
Carnivore / Generalist (Vertebrates, fish)
|
Insectivore / Small Vertebrates
|
| Habitat
|
Coastal island environments
|
Inland lake ecosystems, temperate forests
|
| Where Found / Formation
|
Germany; Solnhofen Limestone
|
Kazakhstan; Karabastau Formation
|
| Time
|
Late Jurassic (Kimmeridgian, ~151 Ma)
|
Late Jurassic (Oxfordian/Kimmeridgian)
|
| Related Genera
|
Rhamphorhynchus, Fenghuangopterus
|
Scaphognathus, Dendrorhynchoides
|
| Chart Table Data
|
|
|
| 🔹 Meaning
|
"Tub snout with thick beak"
|
"Hairy devil"
|
| 🔹 Species
|
S. crassirostris
|
S. pilosus
|
| 🔹 Diet
|
Land lizards, small fish, invertebrates
|
Lake insects, small amphibians, worms
|
| 🔹 Epoch / Stage / Years
|
Late Jurassic (Kimmeridgian)
|
Late Jurassic (~155 Ma)
|
| 🔹 Origin (Franchise)
|
Dinosaur King, Pteros Educational Media
|
Prehistoric Planet, Dinosaurs! (Magazine)
|
| 🔹 Estimated L & H
|
L: 90cm, H: 30cm
|
L: 40cm, H: 15cm
|
| 🔹 Weight
|
900 grams
|
200 grams
|
| 🔹 Collected
|
Skulls, partial skeletons with soft tissue
|
Complete articulated specimens with clear fur
|
| 🔹 Status / Author / Year
|
Valid; Goldfuss, 1831
|
Valid; Sharov, 1971
|
| 🔹 Area / Locality
|
Eichstätt, Solnhofen, Bavaria, Germany
|
Karatau Range, Southern Kazakhstan
|
| 🔹 Brian's Comments
|
Shorter tail and robust skull show structural evolutionary traits towards Pterodactyloidea.
|
The landmark fossil that conclusively proved pterosaurs wore dense, insulating pycnofibers.
|
🦅 Suborder Pterodactyloidea (Advanced Short-Tailed Pterosaurs)
Family Tapejaridae & Anhangueridae
| Profile Field
|
Caiuajara dobruskii
|
Cearadactylus atrox
|
| Scientific Name
|
Caiuajara dobruskii
|
Cearadactylus atrox
|
| Size
|
0.7 meters long; 2.35m wingspan
|
1.2 meters long; 4 – 5.5m wingspan
|
| Diet
|
Frugivore (Fruits, seeds)
|
Piscivore (Pelagic fish, river fish)
|
| Habitat
|
Desert oases, inland dune lakes
|
Coastal estuaries, shallow epicontinental lagoons
|
| Where Found / Formation
|
Brazil; Goio-Erê Formation
|
Brazil; Romualdo (Santana) Formation
|
| Time
|
Late Cretaceous (Coniacian, ~85 Ma)
|
Early Cretaceous (Albian, ~112 Ma)
|
| Related Genera
|
Tapejara, Tupandactylus
|
Anhanguera, Maaradactylus
|
| Chart Table Data
|
|
|
| 🔹 Meaning
|
"Caiuá spirit honoring Dobruski"
|
"Ceará finger, ferocious"
|
| 🔹 Species
|
C. dobruskii
|
C. atrox
|
| 🔹 Diet
|
Subtropical forest seeds, ancient fruits
|
Coastal fish, cephalopods, shoreline meat
|
| 🔹 Epoch / Stage / Years
|
Late Cretaceous (Coniacian)
|
Early Cretaceous (Albian)
|
| 🔹 Origin (Franchise)
|
Prehistoric Kingdom, Paleoart Circles
|
Jurassic Park (Novelization), JWE2
|
| 🔹 Estimated L & H
|
L: 70cm, H: 0.9m (crest peak)
|
L: 1.2m, H: 0.7m
|
| 🔹 Weight
|
3 – 4 kg
|
15 kg
|
| 🔹 Collected
|
Bonebed of 47+ individuals (all ages)
|
Single damaged skull with partial jaw elements
|
| 🔹 Status / Author / Year
|
Valid; Manzig et al., 2014
|
Valid; Leonardi & Borgomanero, 1985
|
| 🔹 Area / Locality
|
Cruzeiro do Oeste, Paraná, Brazil
|
Araripe Plateau, Ceará, Northeast Brazil
|
| 🔹 Brian's Comments
|
Massive bonebeds show they lived in gregarious colonies around desert watering holes.
|
Features a famous interlocking "fish trap" row of expanded teeth at the very front of the snout.
|
Family Ornithocheiridae (Part 1 - Giant Crested Fish-Eaters)
| Profile Field
|
Geosternbergia sternbergi
|
Pteranodon longiceps
|
| Scientific Name
|
Geosternbergia sternbergi
|
Pteranodon longiceps
|
| Size
|
2 meters long; 6 – 7.2m wingspan
|
2 meters long; 5.6 – 6.2m wingspan
|
| Diet
|
Piscivore (Pelagic fish, small sharks)
|
Piscivore (Surface fish, ocean invertebrates)
|
| Habitat
|
Open pelagic oceans, offshore winds
|
Western Interior Seaway (Pelagic open ocean)
|
| Where Found / Formation
|
USA; Niobrara Chalk Formation
|
USA; Niobrara Chalk, Pierre Shale
|
| Time
|
Late Cretaceous (Coniacian–Santonian)
|
Late Cretaceous (Campanian, ~85–80 Ma)
|
| Related Genera
|
Pteranodon, Dawndraco
|
Geosternbergia, Tethydraco
|
| Chart Table Data
|
|
|
| 🔹 Meaning
|
"George Sternberg's earth element"
|
"Toothless wing with a long head"
|
| 🔹 Species
|
G. sternbergi
|
P. longiceps
|
| 🔹 Diet
|
Pelagic marine fish, squids
|
Marine schooling fish, soft ocean targets
|
| 🔹 Epoch / Stage / Years
|
Late Cretaceous (~88–85 Ma)
|
Late Cretaceous (Campanian)
|
| 🔹 Origin (Franchise)
|
Jurassic World Evolution 2
|
Jurassic Park III, Chased by Sea Monsters
|
| 🔹 Estimated L & H
|
L: 2m, H: 1.4m
|
L: 2m, H: 1.2m
|
| 🔹 Weight
|
25 – 35 kg
|
20 – 30 kg
|
| 🔹 Collected
|
Dozens of skulls showing gender variation
|
Over 1,100 specimens collected
|
| 🔹 Status / Author / Year
|
Valid; Miller, 1972
|
Valid; Marsh, 1876
|
| 🔹 Area / Locality
|
Rooks County, Kansas, USA
|
Smoky Hill River, Kansas, USA
|
| 🔹 Brian's Comments
|
Males carried a gigantic, bulbous upright crest over twice the size of the skull itself.
|
The undisputed quintessential toothless pterosaur, built for long-distance dynamic ocean soaring.
|
Family Ornithocheiridae (Part 2) & Family Pterodaustriidae
| Profile Field
|
Quetzalcoatlus lawsoni
|
Pterodaustro guinazui
|
| Scientific Name
|
Quetzalcoatlus lawsoni
|
Pterodaustro guinazui
|
| Size
|
13.5 meters long; 4.5 – 25m wingspan
|
0.4 meters long; 1.2m wingspan
|
| Diet
|
Generalist Carnivore / Scavenger
|
Filter Feeder (Micro-crustaceans, algae)
|
| Habitat
|
Inland lakes, floodplains, lagoons
|
Shallow, hyper-saline wetlands and lakes
|
| Where Found / Formation
|
USA; Javelina & Black Peaks Formations
|
Argentina; Lagarcito Formation
|
| Time
|
Late Cretaceous (Maastrichtian, ~66 Ma)
|
Early Cretaceous (Albian, ~105 Ma)
|
| Related Genera
|
Quetzalcoatlus northropi, Arambourgiania
|
Ctenochasma, Gnathosaurus
|
| Chart Table Data
|
|
|
| 🔹 Meaning
|
"Quetzalcoatl serpent honoring Douglas Lawson"
|
"Southern wing honoring Guiñazú"
|
| 🔹 Species
|
Q. lawsoni
|
P. guinazui
|
| 🔹 Diet
|
Small land vertebrates, carrion, lake fauna
|
Plankton, microscopic aquatic organisms
|
| 🔹 Epoch / Stage / Years
|
Late Cretaceous (Late Maastrichtian)
|
Early Cretaceous (Albian)
|
| 🔹 Origin (Franchise)
|
Jurassic World Dominion (as small morphs), JWE2
|
Prehistoric Planet, Dino Dan
|
| 🔹 Estimated L & H
|
L: 13.5m, H: 12.2 meters (Stork-like stance)
|
L: 40cm, H: 25cm
|
| 🔹 Weight
|
45 – 65,000 kg
|
1.5 – 2 kg
|
| 🔹 Collected
|
Over 200 specimens (skulls, bones)
|
Hundreds of specimens from egg to adult
|
| 🔹 Status / Author / Year
|
Valid; Andres & Langston, 2021
|
Valid; Bonaparte, 1970
|
| 🔹 Area / Locality
|
Big Bend National Park, Texas, USA
|
San Luis Province, Patagonia, Argentina
|
| 🔹 Brian's Comments
|
Described in 2021, this small lake-dwelling giant tells us much about azhdarchid growth.
|
Possessed over 1,000 comb-like bristles in its lower jaw used to skim food like a flamingo.
|
🦖 Infraorder Ceratosauria (Primitive & Crested Theropods)
Family Podokesauridae & Ceratosauridae
| Profile Field
|
Coelophysis bauri
|
Podokesaurus holyokensis
|
Procompsognathus triassicus
|
Ceratosaurus nasicornis
|
| Scientific Name
|
Coelophysis bauri
|
Podokesaurus holyokensis
|
Procompsognathus triassicus
|
Ceratosaurus nasicornis
|
| Size
|
3 meters (10 ft) long
|
1 meter (3.3 ft) long
|
1 meter (3.3 ft) long
|
6 – 7 meters (20–23 ft) long
|
| Diet
|
Carnivore (Small vertebrates)
|
Carnivore / Insectivore
|
Carnivore (Insects, small lizards)
|
Hypercarnivore (Large herbivores)
|
| Habitat
|
Semi-arid floodplains, scrublands
|
Lush rift valley lake environments
|
Subtropical inland floodplains
|
Forested floodplains, river basins
|
| Where Found / Formation
|
New Mexico, USA; Chinle Formation
|
Massachusetts, USA; Portland Formation
|
Germany; Löwenstein Formation
|
Utah, CO, USA; Morrison Formation
|
| Time
|
Late Triassic (Norian–Rhaetian)
|
Early Jurassic (Pliensbachian)
|
Late Triassic (Norian, ~210 Ma)
|
Late Jurassic (Kimmeridgian)
|
| Related Genera
|
Megapnosaurus, Camposaurus
|
Coelophysis, Segisaurus
|
Coelophysis, Panguraptor
|
Genyodectes, Fosterovenator
|
| Chart Table Data
|
|
|
|
|
| 🔹 Meaning
|
"Hollow form honoring Baur"
|
"Swift-footed lizard of Holyoke"
|
"Before the elegant jaw, Triassic"
|
"Horned lizard with a large nose"
|
| 🔹 Species
|
C. bauri
|
P. holyokensis
|
P. triassicus
|
C. nasicornis
|
| 🔹 Diet
|
Small reptiles, early mammals, fish
|
Insects, early cursorial lizards
|
Insects, ancestral crocodilians
|
Sauropods, ornithopods, lungfish
|
| 🔹 Epoch / Stage / Years
|
Late Triassic (~203 Ma)
|
Early Jurassic (~190–180 Ma)
|
Late Triassic (Norian)
|
Late Jurassic (~153–150 Ma)
|
| 🔹 Origin (Franchise)
|
Walking with Dinosaurs (BBC)
|
Massachusetts State Dinosaur Bill
|
Jurassic Park (Novel base genus)
|
Jurassic Park III, JWE2
|
| 🔹 Estimated L & H
|
L: 3m, H: 0.9m
|
L: 1m, H: 0.3m
|
L: 1m, H: 0.28m
|
L: 6.5m, H: 2.2m
|
| 🔹 Weight
|
15 – 25 kg
|
1 – 2 kg
|
1 kg
|
500 – 1,000 kg
|
| 🔹 Collected
|
Thousands of complete skeletons
|
Fragmentary skeleton (Lost in 1917 fire)
|
Holotype skull and partial postcrania
|
Exquisite skulls, near-complete skeletons
|
| 🔹 Status / Author / Year
|
Valid; Cope, 1889
|
Valid; Talbot, 1911
|
Valid; Fraas, 1913
|
Valid; Marsh, 1884
|
| 🔹 Area / Locality
|
Ghost Ranch, New Mexico, USA
|
Mount Holyoke, Massachusetts, USA
|
Pfaffenhofen, Baden-Württemberg
|
Garden Park, Colorado, USA
|
| 🔹 Brian's Comments
|
Mass mortality bonebeds tell us they traveled in highly coordinated, defensive packs.
|
Described by Mignon Talbot, the first woman to officially name a non-avian dinosaur.
|
Historically confused with early crocodile cousins, it is a truly elegant Triassic hunter.
|
Fitted with a prominent nasal horn and unique four-fingered hands that evoke a primitive archetype.
|
Family Dilophosauridae & Abelisauridae
| Profile Field
|
Dilophosaurus wetherilli
|
Carnotaurus sastrei
|
Majungasaurus crenatissimus
|
| Scientific Name
|
Dilophosaurus wetherilli
|
Carnotaurus sastrei
|
Majungasaurus crenatissimus
|
| Size
|
7 meters (23 ft) long
|
7.5 – 9 meters (25–30 ft) long
|
6 – 7 meters (20–23 ft) long
|
| Diet
|
Hypercarnivore (Early herbivores, fish)
|
Hypercarnivore (Fast, small prey)
|
Hypercarnivore (Cannibalistic tendencies)
|
| Habitat
|
Seasonal river valleys, flood basins
|
Arid coastal plains, low forests
|
Semi-arid coastal floodplains
|
| Where Found / Formation
|
Arizona, USA; Kayenta Formation
|
Argentina; La Colonia Formation
|
Madagascar; Maevarano Formation
|
| Time
|
Early Jurassic (Sinemurian–Pliensbachian)
|
Late Cretaceous (Campanian–Maastrichtian)
|
Late Cretaceous (Late Maastrichtian)
|
| Related Genera
|
Dracovenator, Notatesseraeraptor
|
Aucasaurus, Abelisaurus
|
Indosaurus, Rajasaurus
|
| Chart Table Data
|
|
|
|
| 🔹 Meaning
|
"Two-crested lizard honoring Wetherill"
|
"Meat-eating bull honoring Anselmo Sastre"
|
"Mahajanga lizard, very crenulated"
|
| 🔹 Species
|
D. wetherilli
|
S. sastrei
|
M. crenatissimus
|
| 🔹 Diet
|
Medium ornithischians, sauropodomorphs
|
Cursorial ornithopods, small sauropods
|
Titanosaurs, smaller Majungasaurus
|
| 🔹 Epoch / Stage / Years
|
Early Jurassic (~186 Ma)
|
Late Cretaceous (~71–69 Ma)
|
Late Cretaceous (~66 Ma)
|
| 🔹 Origin (Franchise)
|
Jurassic Park (Iconic pop culture identity)
|
Dinosaur, Prehistoric Planet, JWE2
|
Jurassic World Evolution 2, Dino Riders
|
| 🔹 Estimated L & H
|
L: 7m, H: 2.0m
|
L: 8m, H: 2.5 meters
|
L: 6.5m, H: 1.8m
|
| 🔹 Weight
|
400 kg
|
1.35 – 2 metric tons
|
1.1 metric tons
|
| 🔹 Collected
|
Multiple articulated adult/juvenile skeletons
|
Single exceptionally complete skin-impression skeleton
|
Exceptional skulls, abundant isolated elements
|
| 🔹 Status / Author / Year
|
Valid; Welles, 1954
|
Valid; Bonaparte, 1985
|
Valid; Depéret, 1896
|
| 🔹 Area / Locality
|
Coconino County, Arizona, USA
|
Telsen Department, Chubut, Argentina
|
Mahajanga Province, Madagascar
|
| 🔹 Brian's Comments
|
Completely lacked venom or neck frills in real life; it was a large, dominant early Jurassic apex hunter.
|
Boasted highly advanced vestigial arms and long muscular legs designed for high-speed sprints.
|
The first dinosaur with indisputable bone-deep evidence of practicing systemic cannibalism.
|
🥩 Infraorder Carnosauria (Giant Specialized Predators)
Family Megalosauridae
| Profile Field
|
Eustreptospondylus oxoniensis
|
Marshosaurus bicentesimus
|
Poekilopleuron bucklandii
|
Torvosaurus gurneyi
|
| Scientific Name
|
Eustreptospondylus oxoniensis
|
Marshosaurus bicentesimus
|
Poekilopleuron bucklandii
|
Torvosaurus gurneyi
|
| Size
|
4.6 meters (15 ft) long
|
5 – 6 meters (16–20 ft) long
|
7 meters (23 ft) long
|
10 meters (33 ft) long
|
| Diet
|
Carnivore / Scavenger
|
Carnivore (Medium game)
|
Hypercarnivore
|
Apex Predator
|
| Habitat
|
Island coastlines, tidal lagoons
|
Open floodplains, river basins
|
Coastal swamps, shallow seas
|
Forested river valleys, plains
|
| Where Found / Formation
|
England; Oxford Clay Formation
|
Utah, CO, USA; Morrison Formation
|
France; Calcaire de Caen
|
Portugal; Lourinhã Formation
|
| Time
|
Middle Jurassic (Callovian, ~163 Ma)
|
Late Jurassic (Kimmeridgian–Tithonian)
|
Middle Jurassic (Bathonian, ~167 Ma)
|
Late Jurassic (Tithonian, ~150 Ma)
|
| Related Genera
|
Megalosaurus, Magnosaurus
|
Sciurimimus, Piatnitzkysaurus
|
Megalosaurus, Duriavenator
|
Torvosaurus tanneri, Megalosaurus
|
| Chart Table Data
|
|
|
|
|
| 🔹 Meaning
|
"Well-curved vertebra from Oxford"
|
"Othniel Marsh's lizard, bicentennial"
|
"Varied ribs honoring William Buckland"
|
"Savage lizard honoring James Gurney"
|
| 🔹 Species
|
E. oxoniensis
|
M. bicentesimus
|
P. bucklandii
|
T. gurneyi
|
| 🔹 Diet
|
Marine reptiles, shoreline carrion, fish
|
Small sauropods, dryosaurs
|
Mid-sized sauropodomorphs, fish
|
Stegosaurs, large iguanodontians
|
| 🔹 Epoch / Stage / Years
|
Middle Jurassic (Callovian)
|
Late Jurassic (~155–150 Ma)
|
Middle Jurassic (Bathonian)
|
Late Jurassic (Tithonian)
|
| 🔹 Origin (Franchise)
|
Walking with Dinosaurs (BBC)
|
Dinosaur King (Card/Arcade game)
|
Early 19th-century European monographs
|
Dinosaur Revolution, Paleoart
|
| 🔹 Estimated L & H
|
L: 4.6m, H: 1.4m
|
L: 5.4m, H: 1.6m
|
L: 7m, H: 2.1m
|
L: 10m, H: 3.1 meters
|
| 🔹 Weight
|
250 kg (Subadult holotype)
|
200 – 300 kg
|
1 metric ton
|
4 – 5 metric tons
|
| 🔹 Collected
|
Single near-perfect juvenile skeleton
|
Incomplete skull elements, pelvic girdle
|
Articulated skeleton (Destroyed in WWII)
|
Giant maxilla, isolated teeth, large limbs
|
| 🔹 Status / Author / Year
|
Valid; Walker, 1964
|
Valid; Madsen, 1976
|
Valid; Eudes-Deslongchamps, 1838
|
Valid; Hendrickx & Mateus, 2014
|
| 🔹 Area / Locality
|
Wolvercote, Oxfordshire, England
|
Cleveland-Lloyd Quarry, Utah, USA
|
Calvados, Normandy, France
|
Lisbon District, Portugal
|
| 🔹 Brian's Comments
|
The subadult fossil shows highly developed sensory zones adapted for beachcombing life.
|
A smaller, highly agile carnosaur that lived in the shadow of massive Allosaurus populations.
|
Tragically lost during the Allied bombings of Caen in 1924; only plaster casts survive.
|
The largest land predator ever discovered in Europe, wielding blade-like teeth over 10cm long.
|
Family Carcharodontosauridae & Allosauridae
| Profile Field
|
Acrocanthosaurus atokensis
|
Giganotosaurus carolinii
|
Allosaurus europaeus
|
Yangchuanosaurus zigongensis
|
| Scientific Name
|
Acrocanthosaurus atokensis
|
Giganotosaurus carolinii
|
Allosaurus europaeus
|
Yangchuanosaurus zigongensis
|
| Size
|
11.5 meters (38 ft) long
|
12 – 13 meters (40–43 ft) long
|
13.5 meters (44 ft) long
|
8 meters (26 ft) long
|
| Diet
|
Hypercarnivore (Sauropod hunter)
|
Apex Predator (Giant sauropods)
|
Hypercarnivore
|
Apex Predator
|
| Habitat
|
Coastal swamps, deltaic floodplains
|
Semi-arid open inland river plains
|
Open savanna-like coastal forests
|
Dense sub-tropical river plains
|
| Where Found / Formation
|
OK, TX, USA; Antlers Formation
|
Argentina; Candeleros Formation
|
Portugal; Lourinhã Formation / New Mexico, USA; Morrison Formation
|
Sichuan, China; Shaximiao Formation
|
| Time
|
Early Cretaceous (Aptian–Albian)
|
Late Cretaceous (Cenomanian, ~98 Ma)
|
Late Jurassic (Kimmeridgian)
|
Middle Jurassic (Bathonian–Callovian)
|
| Related Genera
|
Carcharodontosaurus, Tyrannotitan
|
Mapusaurus, Carcharodontosaurus
|
Allosaurus fragilis, A. jimmadseni
|
Metriacanthosaurus, Sinraptor
|
| Chart Table Data
|
|
|
|
|
| 🔹 Meaning
|
"High-spined lizard from Atoka"
|
"Giant southern lizard honoring Carolini"
|
"Different lizard from Europe"
|
"Yangchuan lizard from Zigong"
|
| 🔹 Species
|
A. atokensis
|
G. carolinii
|
A. europaeus
|
Y. zigongensis
|
| 🔹 Diet
|
Sauroposeidon, Tenontosaurus
|
Andesaurus, giant saltasaurids
|
Camptosaurs, juvenile sauropods
|
Shunosaurus, Huayangosaurus
|
| 🔹 Epoch / Stage / Years
|
Early Cretaceous (~115–110 Ma)
|
Late Cretaceous (~98–97 Ma)
|
Late Jurassic (~150 Ma)
|
Middle Jurassic (~165 Ma)
|
| 🔹 Origin (Franchise)
|
Primal Carnage, JWE2
|
Jurassic World Dominion, Ark
|
Disputed Taxon (Often cited in papers)
|
Dinosaur King, Paleoart Circles
|
| 🔹 Estimated L & H
|
L: 11.5m, H: 3.9m (Ridge tip)
|
L: 12.5m, H: 3.8 meters
|
L: 13.5m, H: 4.1m
|
L: 8m, H: 2.6m
|
| 🔹 Weight
|
5.7 – 6.2 metric tons
|
7 – 8.5 metric tons
|
6 metric tons
|
2.3 metric tons
|
| 🔹 Collected
|
Complete skeletons, trackway prints
|
70% complete holotype skeleton
|
Partial skull, associated elements
|
Multiple near-perfect articulated skulls
|
| 🔹 Status / Author / Year
|
Valid; Stovall & Langston, 1950
|
Valid; Coria & Salgado, 1995
|
Disputed (Synonym of A. fragilis)
|
Valid; Gao, 1993
|
| 🔹 Area / Locality
|
Atoka County, Oklahoma, USA
|
Neuquén Province, Patagonia
|
Porto Novo, Lourinhã, Portugal / Sandoval County, New Mexico, USA
|
Dashanpu Quarry, Zigong, China
|
| 🔹 Brian's Comments
|
The high neural spines formed a powerful muscle ridge capable of wrestling down giant sauropods.
|
Possessed a skull longer than a human, but with a highly restricted, narrow braincase.
|
Taxonomy is highly contested; recent 2025 papers interpret these remains as European variants of A. fragilis.
|
Wore a distinctive set of rugose bony nose crests used for visual dominance displays.
|
Family Spinosauridae
| Profile Field
|
Baryonyx walkeri
|
Spinosaurus aegyptiacus
|
Suchomimus tenerensis
|
| Scientific Name
|
Baryonyx walkeri
|
Spinosaurus aegyptiacus
|
Suchomimus tenerensis
|
| Size
|
7.5 – 9 meters (25–30 ft) long
|
14 meters (46 ft) long
|
9.5 – 11 meters (31–36 ft) long
|
| Diet
|
Piscivore / Facultative Carnivore
|
Specialized Piscivore / Semi-aquatic
|
Piscivore / Generalist Carnivore
|
| Habitat
|
Subtropical delta swamps, lagoons
|
Mangrove river systems, tidal channels
|
Expansive inland river deltas, floodplains
|
| Where Found / Formation
|
England; Weald Clay Formation
|
Egypt, Morocco; Kem Kem Group
|
Niger; Elrhaz Formation
|
| Time
|
Early Cretaceous (Barremian, ~125 Ma)
|
Late Cretaceous (Cenomanian, ~95 Ma)
|
Early Cretaceous (Aptian, ~112 Ma)
|
| Related Genera
|
Suchomimus, Ceratosuchops
|
Sigilmassasaurus, Ichthyovenator
|
Baryonyx, Riparovenator
|
| Chart Table Data
|
|
|
|
| 🔹 Meaning
|
"Heavy claw honoring William Walker"
|
"Spine lizard from Egypt"
|
"Crocodile mimic from Ténéré desert"
|
| 🔹 Species
|
B. walkeri
|
S. aegyptiacus
|
S. tenerensis
|
| 🔹 Diet
|
Lepidotes (fish), juvenile Iguanodon
|
Giant sawfish (Onchopristis), lungfish
|
Large teleost fish, turtles, small crocs
|
| 🔹 Epoch / Stage / Years
|
Early Cretaceous (Barremian)
|
Late Cretaceous (Cenomanian)
|
Early Cretaceous (Aptian)
|
| 🔹 Origin (Franchise)
|
Jurassic Park III (Mention), JWE2
|
Jurassic Park III (Apex antagonist)
|
Jurassic Park Builder, Ark: Survival Evolved
|
| 🔹 Estimated L & H
|
L: 8.5m, H: 2.2m
|
L: 14m, H: 4.2 meters (Sail peak)
|
L: 10m, H: 2.8m
|
| 🔹 Weight
|
1.7 – 2 metric tons
|
6.5 – 7.5 metric tons
|
3 – 3.8 metric tons
|
| 🔹 Collected
|
Holotype skull with iconic 31cm thumb claw
|
Holotype destroyed in WWII; neotype skeletons
|
Near-complete skeleton lacking skull tail tip
|
| 🔹 Status / Author / Year
|
Valid; Charig & Milner, 1986
|
Valid; Stromer, 1915
|
Valid; Sereno et al., 1998
|
| 🔹 Area / Locality
|
Surrey, England
|
Bahariya Oasis, Egypt; Tafilalt, Morocco
|
Gadoufaoua, Ténéré Desert, Niger
|
| 🔹 Brian's Comments
|
Fossilized stomach contents revealed acid-etched fish scales along with bones of young iguanodontids.
|
The tail was recently revealed to be broad and paddle-like, shifting its profile to an active swimmer.
|
The skull shape is exceptionally narrow and gharial-like, optimized for lateral water strikes.
|
Family Tyrannosauridae (Part 1 - The Northern Tyrants)
| Profile Field
|
Albertosaurus sarcophagus
|
Gorgosaurus libratus
|
Tarbosaurus bataar
|
Tyrannosaurus rex
|
| Scientific Name
|
Albertosaurus sarcophagus
|
Gorgosaurus libratus
|
Tarbosaurus bataar
|
Tyrannosaurus rex
|
| Size
|
8 – 9 meters (26–30 ft) long
|
8 – 9 meters (26–30 ft) long
|
10 – 11.5 meters (33–38 ft) long
|
12 – 15 meters (40–49 ft) long
|
| Diet
|
Hypercarnivore (Pack hunter)
|
Hypercarnivore (Agile hunter)
|
Apex Predator (Sauropod hunter)
|
Hypercarnivore (Crushing bite force)
|
| Habitat
|
Cool temperate coastal redwoods
|
Subtropical floodplains, wet forests
|
Semi-arid open river channels, basins
|
Coastal plains, forested river basins
|
| Where Found / Formation
|
Alberta, Canada; Horseshoe Canyon
|
Alberta, Canada; Dinosaur Park
|
Mongolia; Nemegt Formation
|
USA, Canada; Hell Creek Formation
|
| Time
|
Late Cretaceous (Early Maastrichtian)
|
Late Cretaceous (Campanian, ~76 Ma)
|
Late Cretaceous (Late Maastrichtian)
|
Late Cretaceous (Late Maastrichtian)
|
| Related Genera
|
Gorgosaurus, Albertosaurus
|
Albertosaurus, Daspletosaurus
|
Tyrannosaurus, Zhuchengtyrannus
|
Tarbosaurus, Daspletosaurus
|
| Chart Table Data
|
|
|
|
|
| 🔹 Meaning
|
"Alberta lizard flesh-eater"
|
"Fierce lizard, balanced"
|
"Alarming lizard, hero"
|
"Tyrant lizard king"
|
| 🔹 Species
|
A. sarcophagus
|
G. libratus
|
T. bataar
|
T. rex
|
| 🔹 Diet
|
Hypacrosaurus, Saurolophus
|
Centrosaurus, Lambeosaurus
|
Nemegtosaurus, Saurolophus
|
Triceratops, Edmontosaurus
|
| 🔹 Epoch / Stage / Years
|
Late Cretaceous (~71–68 Ma)
|
Late Cretaceous (~76–75 Ma)
|
Late Cretaceous (~70–66 Ma)
|
Late Cretaceous (~68–66 Ma)
|
| 🔹 Origin (Franchise)
|
Prehistoric Park, JWE2
|
Prehistoric Planet, Walking with Dinosaurs
|
Dinotasia, Chased by Sea Monsters
|
The ultimate face of the Jurassic Park franchise
|
| 🔹 Estimated L & H
|
L: 8.6m, H: 2.7m
|
L: 8.5m, H: 2.6m
|
L: 11m, H: 3.3m
|
L: 15.3m, H: 6 meters
|
| 🔹 Weight
|
2 – 2.5 metric tons
|
2 – 2.4 metric tons
|
4 – 5 metric tons
|
8 – 10 metric tons
|
| 🔹 Collected
|
Dry Island bonebed of 26+ individuals
|
Dozens of exquisite complete skeletons
|
Massive numbers of articulated skulls/skeletons
|
~50 partial to exceptionally complete skeletons
|
| 🔹 Status / Author / Year
|
Valid; Osborn, 1905
|
Valid; Lambe, 1914
|
Valid; Maleev, 1955
|
Valid; Osborn, 1905
|
| 🔹 Area / Locality
|
Red Deer River, Alberta, Canada
|
Dinosaur Provincial Park, Alberta
|
Desert floor, Gobi Desert, Mongolia
|
Montana, Wyoming, South Dakota, USA
|
| 🔹 Brian's Comments
|
The Dry Island bonebed provides direct evidence of a highly organized, social age structure.
|
Lighter and faster than Daspletosaurus, it shared its biome by exploiting swift prey niches.
|
The Asian cousin of T. rex; possessed unique locking jaw joints to resist thrashing sauropods.
|
Possessed the highest bone-crushing bite force of any terrestrial animal ever estimated.
|
Family Tyrannosauridae (Part 2 - Long-Snouted Tyrants)
| Profile Field
|
Qianzhousaurus sinensis
|
| Scientific Name
|
Qianzhousaurus sinensis
|
| Size
|
8.5 meters (28 ft) long
|
| Diet
|
Hypercarnivore (Agile pursuit predator)
|
| Habitat
|
Subtropical dense river forests
|
| Where Found / Formation
|
Ganzhou, China; Nanxiong Formation
|
| Time
|
Late Cretaceous (Late Maastrichtian, ~66 Ma)
|
| Related Genera
|
Alioramus, Tyrannosaurus
|
| Chart Table Data
|
|
| 🔹 Meaning
|
"Qianzhou lizard from China"
|
| 🔹 Species
|
Q. sinensis
|
| 🔹 Diet
|
Oviraotorids, smaller hadrosauroids
|
| 🔹 Epoch / Stage / Years
|
Late Cretaceous (~67–66 Ma)
|
| 🔹 Origin (Franchise)
|
Prehistoric Planet, Jurassic World Evolution 2
|
| 🔹 Estimated L & H
|
L: 8.5m, H: 2.2m
|
| 🔹 Weight
|
750 – 800 kg
|
| 🔹 Collected
|
Near-perfect articulated skull and skeleton
|
| 🔹 Status / Author / Year
|
Valid; Lü et al., 2014
|
| 🔹 Area / Locality
|
Ganzhou City, Jiangxi Province, China
|
| 🔹 Brian's Comments
|
Affectionately nicknamed "Pinocchio rex" due to its remarkably long, narrow skull profile.
|
🦅 Infraorder Coelurosauria (Feathered & Bird-Like Theropods)
Family Coeluridae & Tyrannosauroidea (Basal Forms)
| Profile Field
|
Coelurus fragilis
|
Ornitholestes hermanni
|
Moros intrepidus
|
Nanotyrannus lethaeus
|
| Scientific Name
|
Coelurus fragilis
|
Ornitholestes hermanni
|
Moros intrepidus
|
Nanotyrannus lethaeus
|
| Size
|
2.4 meters (8 ft) long
|
2 meters (6.5 ft) long
|
1.2 meters (4 ft) long
|
5 meters (16 ft) long
|
| Diet
|
Carnivore / Insectivore
|
Carnivore (Small vertebrates)
|
Insectivore / Carnivore
|
Hypercarnivore
|
| Habitat
|
Forested semi-arid flood basins
|
Dense floodplain forests
|
Open forested coastal plains
|
Open coastal floodplains
|
| Where Found / Formation
|
Wyoming, USA; Morrison Formation
|
Wyoming, USA; Morrison Formation
|
Utah, USA; Cedar Mountain Formation
|
Montana, USA; Hell Creek Formation
|
| Time
|
Late Jurassic (Kimmeridgian)
|
Late Jurassic (Kimmeridgian)
|
Late Cretaceous (Cenomanian, ~96 Ma)
|
Late Cretaceous (Late Maastrichtian)
|
| Related Genera
|
Tanycolagreus, Ornitholestes
|
Coelurus, Zuolong
|
Dilong, Xiongguanlong
|
Tyrannosaurus rex (Juvenile morph)
|
| Chart Table Data
|
|
|
|
|
| 🔹 Meaning
|
"Hollow tail, fragile"
|
"Bird robber honoring Adam Hermann"
|
"Impending doom, intrepid"
|
"Dwarf tyrant, hidden"
|
| 🔹 Species
|
C. fragilis
|
O. hermanni
|
M. intrepidus
|
N. lethaeus
|
| 🔹 Diet
|
Early lizards, mammals, large insects
|
Small cursorial lizards, early birds
|
Insects, early lizards, hatchlings
|
Mid-sized ornithopods, pachycephalosaurs
|
| 🔹 Epoch / Stage / Years
|
Late Jurassic (~153–150 Ma)
|
Late Jurassic (~153–150 Ma)
|
Late Cretaceous (Cenomanian)
|
Late Cretaceous (~67–66 Ma)
|
| 🔹 Origin (Franchise)
|
Early 20th-century paleontology texts
|
Walking with Dinosaurs (BBC)
|
Jurassic World Dominion, JWE2
|
Prehistoric Planet (as juvenile T. rex)
|
| 🔹 Estimated L & H
|
L: 2.4m, H: 0.7m
|
L: 2m, H: 0.6m
|
L: 1.2m, H: 0.4m
|
L: 5.2m, H: 1.7m
|
| 🔹 Weight
|
15 – 20 kg
|
12 – 15 kg
|
78 kg
|
400 – 600 kg
|
| 🔹 Collected
|
Fragmentary vertebral column elements
|
Articulated skeleton missing tail tip
|
Single diagnostic hindlimb element set
|
Complete articulated skulls, "Duelling Dinos"
|
| 🔹 Status / Author / Year
|
Valid; Marsh, 1879
|
Valid; Osborn, 1903
|
Valid; Zanno et al., 2019
|
Disputed (Synonym of T. rex juvenile)
|
| 🔹 Area / Locality
|
Como Bluff, Albany County, Wyoming
|
Bone Cabin Quarry, Wyoming, USA
|
Emery County, Utah, USA
|
Carter County, Montana, USA
|
| 🔹 Brian's Comments
|
The internal bone walls were remarkably thin, a trait that directly echoes bird lineages.
|
Classic paleoart erroneously gave it a nose horn due to a crushed nasal bone.
|
The smallest North American tyrannosauroid; bridged a critical 70-million-year ghost lineage gap.
|
Decades-long debate leans heavily toward this being a juvenile stage growth phase of T. rex.
|
Family Compsognathidae & Proceratosauridae
| Profile Field
|
Compsognathus longipes
|
Proceratosaurus bradleyi
|
Yutyrannus huali
|
| Scientific Name
|
Compsognathus longipes
|
Proceratosaurus bradleyi
|
Yutyrannus huali
|
| Size
|
1.25 meters (4 ft) long
|
3 meters (10 ft) long
|
9 meters (30 ft) long
|
| Diet
|
Carnivore (Small vertebrates)
|
Carnivore (Small game, insects)
|
Hypercarnivore (Apex pack hunter)
|
| Habitat
|
Subtropical dry island lagoons
|
Forested coastal lowlands
|
Cool, seasonal temperate forests
|
| Where Found / Formation
|
Germany, France; Solnhofen
|
England; Forest Marble Formation
|
Liaoning, China; Yixian Formation
|
| Time
|
Late Jurassic (Tithonian, ~150 Ma)
|
Middle Jurassic (Bathonian, ~166 Ma)
|
Early Cretaceous (Aptian, ~125 Ma)
|
| Related Genera
|
Sinosauropteryx, Juravenator
|
Guanlong, Sinotyrannus
|
Dilong, Proceratosaurus
|
| Chart Table Data
|
|
|
|
| 🔹 Meaning
|
"Elegant jaw with long feet"
|
"Before horned lizard honoring Bradley"
|
"Beautiful feathered tyrant"
|
| 🔹 Species
|
C. longipes
|
P. bradleyi
|
Y. huali
|
| 🔹 Diet
|
Bavarisaurus (lizards), large beetles
|
Early small mammals, lizards
|
Sauropods (Psittacosaurus), theropods
|
| 🔹 Epoch / Stage / Years
|
Late Jurassic (Tithonian)
|
Middle Jurassic (Bathonian)
|
Early Cretaceous (~125 Ma)
|
| 🔹 Origin (Franchise)
|
The Lost World: Jurassic Park ("Compy")
|
Jurassic Park Builder, JWE2
|
Ark: Survival Evolved, Prehistoric Planet
|
| 🔹 Estimated L & H
|
L: 1.25m, H: 0.35m
|
L: 3m, H: 0.9m
|
L: 9m, H: 2.7 meters
|
| 🔹 Weight
|
2.5 – 3.5 kg
|
30 – 40 kg
|
1.4 metric tons
|
| 🔹 Collected
|
Exquisite complete skeletons with gut contents
|
Single partial fossil skull arch
|
Three complete articulated skeletons together
|
| 🔹 Status / Author / Year
|
Valid; Wagner, 1859
|
Valid; von Huene, 1926
|
Valid; Xu et al., 2012
|
| 🔹 Area / Locality
|
Jachenhausen, Bavaria, Germany
|
Minchinhampton, Gloucestershire, England
|
Jianchang County, Liaoning Province, China
|
| 🔹 Brian's Comments
|
For a century, it was famous for being the smallest known non-avian dinosaur specimen.
|
Originally thought to be ancestral to Ceratosaurus due to its small nasal crest.
|
The largest land animal known to science with direct fossil preservation of a full shaggy coat.
|
Family Ornithomimidae & Deinocheiridae (Ostrich Dinosaurs)
| Profile Field
|
Archaeornithomimus asiaticus
|
Gallimimus bullatus
|
Ornithomimus velox
|
Struthiomimus altus
|
Deinocheirus mirificus
|
| Scientific Name
|
Archaeornithomimus asiaticus
|
Gallimimus bullatus
|
Ornithomimus velox
|
Struthiomimus altus
|
Deinocheirus mirificus
|
| Size
|
3.4 meters long
|
6 – 8 meters long
|
3.8 meters long
|
4.3 meters long
|
15 meters (49 ft) long
|
| Diet
|
Omnivore / Herbivore
|
Omnivore / Filter Feeder
|
Omnivore (Plants, insects)
|
Omnivore (Leaves, seeds)
|
Specialized Omnivore
|
| Habitat
|
Semi-arid floodplains
|
Wet inland river basins
|
Open coastal woodlands
|
Floodplains, river bays
|
Inland deltaic swamps
|
| Where Found / Formation
|
Inner Mongolia; Iren Dabasu
|
Mongolia; Nemegt Formation
|
Colorado, USA; Denver Formation
|
Alberta, Canada; Dinosaur Park
|
Mongolia; Nemegt Formation
|
| Time
|
Late Cretaceous (Turonian)
|
Late Cretaceous (Maastrichtian)
|
Late Cretaceous (Maastrichtian)
|
Late Cretaceous (Campanian)
|
Late Cretaceous (Late Maastrichtian)
|
| Related Genera
|
Sinornithomimus
|
Anserimimus, Struthiomimus
|
Dromiceiomimus, Struthiomimus
|
Gallimimus, Ornithomimus
|
Garudimimus, Beishanlong
|
| Chart Table Data
|
|
|
|
|
|
| 🔹 Meaning
|
"Ancient bird mimic from Asia"
|
"Rooster mimic with capsule bones"
|
"Swift bird mimic"
|
"Ostrich mimic, tall"
|
"Terrible hand, unusual"
|
| 🔹 Species
|
A. asiaticus
|
G. bullatus
|
O. velox
|
S. altus
|
D. mirificus
|
| 🔹 Diet
|
Twigs, seeds, insects, lizards
|
Water plants, small fish, seeds
|
Fruits, insects, small mammals
|
Ferns, seeds, small invertebrates
|
Fish, water vegetation, pond weeds
|
| 🔹 Epoch / Stage / Years
|
Late Cretaceous (~90 Ma)
|
Late Cretaceous (~70 Ma)
|
Late Cretaceous (~66 Ma)
|
Late Cretaceous (~76 Ma)
|
Late Cretaceous (~70–66 Ma)
|
| 🔹 Origin (Franchise)
|
Jurassic World Evolution
|
Jurassic Park (Iconic flocking scene)
|
Prehistoric Park, Paleoart
|
Jurassic Park: Operation Genesis
|
Prehistoric Planet, JWE2
|
| 🔹 Estimated L & H
|
L: 3.4m, H: 1.3m
|
L: 6.5m, H: 2.4m
|
L: 3.8m, H: 1.4m
|
L: 4.3m, H: 1.5m
|
L: 15m, H: 6.5 meters
|
| 🔹 Weight
|
50 – 90 kg
|
450 kg
|
150 kg
|
150 kg
|
6.4 metric tons
|
| 🔹 Collected
|
Multiple partial skeletons
|
Exceptional skull growth series
|
Disorganized foot and hand elements
|
Abundant, well-preserved skeletons
|
Massive 2.4-meter arms, complete skulls
|
| 🔹 Status / Author / Year
|
Valid; Russell, 1972
|
Valid; Osmólska et al., 1972
|
Valid; Marsh, 1890
|
Valid; Lambe, 1902
|
Valid; Osmólska, 1970
|
| 🔹 Area / Locality
|
Erenhot, Gobi Desert, China
|
Gobi Desert, Mongolia
|
Jefferson County, Colorado, USA
|
Red Deer River, Alberta, Canada
|
White Beds, Nemegt Basin, Mongolia
|
| 🔹 Brian's Comments
|
One of the earliest true ornithomimids; shows key steps in teeth loss trends.
|
Equipped with fine ridges in its beak, suggesting it strain-fed in bog pools.
|
The original type species for the entire family, though based on fragmentary limbs.
|
Possessed exceptionally long, slender hands that acted like hooks to pull down branches.
|
A bizarre giant sporting a deep camel-like sail back, duck beak, and immense claws.
|
Note: Dromiceiomimus samueli is grouped directly under Ornithomimus variations based on current consensus.
Family Oviraptoridae, Saurornithoididae, & Therizinosauridae
| Profile Field
|
Chirostenotes pergracilis
|
Oviraptor philoceratops
|
Troodon formosus
|
Therizinosaurus cheloniformis
|
| Scientific Name
|
Chirostenotes pergracilis
|
Oviraptor philoceratops
|
Troodon formosus
|
Therizinosaurus cheloniformis
|
| Size
|
2.5 meters (8 ft) long
|
1.6 meters (5 ft) long
|
2.5 meters (8 ft) long
|
10 meters (33 ft) long
|
| Diet
|
Omnivore (Small prey, eggs, fruit)
|
Omnivore (Hard seeds, mollusks)
|
Omnivore / Carnivore
|
Herbivore (High-reach browser)
|
| Habitat
|
Floodplain wetlands, swamp lines
|
Arid desert oases, sand dunes
|
Cool coastal forests, floodplain margins
|
Lush open river valleys
|
| Where Found / Formation
|
Alberta, Canada; Dinosaur Park
|
Mongolia; Djadochta Formation
|
Montana, USA; Judith River Formation
|
Mongolia; Nemegt Formation
|
| Time
|
Late Cretaceous (Campanian, ~76 Ma)
|
Late Cretaceous (Campanian, ~75 Ma)
|
Late Cretaceous (Campanian)
|
Late Cretaceous (Late Maastrichtian)
|
| Related Genera
|
Elmisaurus, Anzu
|
Citipati, Conchoraptor
|
Saurornithoides, Zanabazar
|
Segnosaurus, Erlikosaurus
|
| Chart Table Data
|
|
|
|
|
| 🔹 Meaning
|
"Narrow hand, very slender"
|
"Egg thief loving ceratopsians"
|
"Wounding tooth, finely shaped"
|
"Scythe lizard shaped like a turtle"
|
| 🔹 Species
|
C. pergracilis
|
O. philoceratops
|
T. formosus
|
T. cheloniformis
|
| 🔹 Diet
|
Small mammals, lizards, vegetation
|
Tough vegetation, ancient nuts, eggs
|
Small mammals, birds, soft plants
|
Tree leaves, high canopy branches
|
| 🔹 Epoch / Stage / Years
|
Late Cretaceous (~76.5 Ma)
|
Late Cretaceous (~75 Ma)
|
Late Cretaceous (~77 Ma)
|
Late Cretaceous (~70 Ma)
|
| 🔹 Origin (Franchise)
|
Dinosaur Revolution, Paleoart
|
Dinosaur King, Jurassic Park games
|
Jurassic Park: The Game, Ark
|
Jurassic World Dominion, JWE2
|
| 🔹 Estimated L & H
|
L: 2.5m, H: 1.0m
|
L: 1.6m, H: 0.7m
|
L: 2.4m, H: 0.9m
|
L: 10m, H: 4.8 meters
|
| 🔹 Weight
|
60 kg
|
35 – 40 kg
|
50 kg
|
5 metric tons
|
| 🔹 Collected
|
Associated highly elegant hand bones
|
Holotype skull crushed directly over a nest
|
Isolated diagnostic serrated teeth
|
Immense 1-meter skeletal arm claws
|
| 🔹 Status / Author / Year
|
Valid; Gilmore, 1924
|
Valid; Osborn, 1924
|
Nomen dubium (Taxon reassigned)
|
Valid; Maleev, 1954
|
| 🔹 Area / Locality
|
Red Deer River, Alberta, Canada
|
Ukhaa Tolgod, Gobi Desert, Mongolia
|
Fergus County, Montana, USA
|
Nemegt Basin, Gobi Desert, Mongolia
|
| 🔹 Brian's Comments
|
Possessed highly elongated middle fingers used to probe tree bark holes for grubs.
|
Famously misnamed; later finds showed it died defending its own nest, not stealing eggs.
|
Long used to build "Dinosauroid" theories; its teeth are now viewed as non-diagnostic.
|
Wielded massive scythe claws used for stripping branches or terrifying predators.
|
🦅 Infraorder Deinonychosauria (Raptors & Early Birds)
Family Dromaeosauridae (Part 1)
| Profile Field
|
Atrociraptor marshalli
|
Deinonychus antirrhopus
|
Hesperonychus elizabethae
|
Pyroraptor olympius
|
| Scientific Name
|
Atrociraptor marshalli
|
Deinonychus antirrhopus
|
Hesperonychus elizabethae
|
Pyroraptor olympius
|
| Size
|
2 meters (6.5 ft) long
|
3.4 meters (11 ft) long
|
1 meter (3.3 ft) long
|
2.5 meters (8 ft) long
|
| Diet
|
Hypercarnivore
|
Hypercarnivore (Large game hunter)
|
Carnivore / Insectivore
|
Hypercarnivore
|
| Habitat
|
Semi-arid open floodplains
|
Subtropical floodplains, river deltas
|
Coastal forest marsh undergrowths
|
Island chain coastlines, scrub forests
|
| Where Found / Formation
|
Alberta, Canada; Horseshoe Canyon
|
Montana, WY, USA; Cloverly Formation
|
Alberta, Canada; Dinosaur Park
|
France; Argiles Rutilantes
|
| Time
|
Late Cretaceous (Maastrichtian, ~68 Ma)
|
Early Cretaceous (Aptian–Albian)
|
Late Cretaceous (Campanian, ~76 Ma)
|
Late Cretaceous (Campanian–Maastrichtian)
|
| Related Genera
|
Saurornitholestes, Bambiraptor
|
Saurornitholestes, Velociraptor
|
Microraptor, Sinornithosaurus
|
Variraptor, Acheroraptor
|
| Chart Table Data
|
|
|
|
|
| 🔹 Meaning
|
"Savage robber honoring Wayne Marshall"
|
"Terrible claw counter-balanced"
|
"Western claw honoring Elizabeth Nicholls"
|
"Fire robber of Mount Olympe"
|
| 🔹 Species
|
A. marshalli
|
D. antirrhopus
|
H. elizabethae
|
P. olympius
|
| 🔹 Diet
|
Small reptiles, small dinosaurs
|
Tenontosaurus, early ceratopsians
|
Insects, primitive mammals, nestlings
|
Island dwarf sauropods, iguanodonts
|
| 🔹 Epoch / Stage / Years
|
Late Cretaceous (~68.5 Ma)
|
Early Cretaceous (~115–108 Ma)
|
Late Cretaceous (~76.5 Ma)
|
Late Cretaceous (~70.6 Ma)
|
| 🔹 Origin (Franchise)
|
Jurassic World Dominion
|
The true inspiration for Jurassic Park raptors
|
Small raptor paleontology papers
|
Discovery Channel's Dinosaur Planet, JWE2
|
| 🔹 Estimated L & H
|
L: 2m, H: 0.65m
|
L: 3.4m, H: 1.0m
|
L: 1m, H: 0.3m
|
L: 2.5m, H: 0.75m
|
| 🔹 Weight
|
15 kg
|
73 – 100 kg
|
1.5 – 2 kg
|
30 kg
|
| 🔹 Collected
|
Robust jaw bones with specialized teeth
|
Multiple skeletons alongside herbivore bones
|
Exceptionally small fused pelvic girdle
|
Diagnostic foot claws, teeth, limb bones
|
| 🔹 Status / Author / Year
|
Valid; Currie & Varricchio, 2004
|
Valid; Ostrom, 1969
|
Valid; Longrich & Currie, 2009
|
Valid; Allain & Taquet, 2000
|
| 🔹 Area / Locality
|
Drumheller, Alberta, Canada
|
Carbon County, Montana, USA
|
Red Deer River, Alberta, Canada
|
La Boucharde, Provence, France
|
| 🔹 Brian's Comments
|
The jaws were significantly deeper and shorter than other raptors, built for a biting crunch.
|
The discovery that single-handedly sparked the "Dinosaur Renaissance" by proving dynamic activity.
|
The smallest carnivorous non-avian dinosaur discovered in North America; a true native microraptorine.
|
Discovered after a devastating forest fire; wore fully developed flight-ready arm plumage.
|
Family Dromaeosauridae (Part 2), Archaeopterygidae, & Alexornithidae
| Profile Field
|
Saurornitholestes sullivani
|
Utahraptor ostrommaysi
|
Velociraptor osmolskae
|
Archaeopteryx albersdoerferi
|
Alexornis antecedens
|
| Scientific Name
|
Saurornitholestes sullivani
|
Utahraptor ostrommaysi
|
Velociraptor osmolskae
|
Archaeopteryx albersdoerferi
|
Alexornis antecedens
|
| Size
|
1.8 meters long
|
5 – 6 meters long
|
2 meters long
|
0.5 meters long
|
15 cm long; sparrow-size
|
| Diet
|
Hypercarnivore
|
Apex Pack Hunter
|
Hypercarnivore
|
Insectivore / Carnivore
|
Insectivore
|
| Habitat
|
Coastal coastal shores
|
Open arid floodplains
|
Arid dunes, scrub desert
|
Subtropical island lagoons
|
Coastal scrublands, forests
|
| Where Found / Formation
|
New Mexico; Kirtland Formation
|
Utah, USA; Cedar Mountain
|
Inner Mongolia; Bayan Mandahu
|
Germany; Solnhofen
|
Mexico; La Bocana Roja
|
| Time
|
Late Cretaceous (Campanian)
|
Early Cretaceous (Barremian)
|
Late Cretaceous (Campanian)
|
Late Jurassic (Tithonian)
|
Late Cretaceous (Campanian)
|
| Related Genera
|
S. langstoni, Atrociraptor
|
Achillobator, Dakotaraptor
|
V. mongoliensis, Adasaurus
|
Anchiornis, Xiaotingia
|
Gobipteryx, early enantiornithines
|
| Chart Table Data
|
|
|
|
|
|
| 🔹 Meaning
|
"Lizard-bird thief, Sullivan's"
|
"Utah robber honoring Ostrom & Mays"
|
"Swift robber honoring Osmólska"
|
"Ancient wing honoring Albersdörfer"
|
"Alex's ancestral bird"
|
| 🔹 Species
|
S. sullivani
|
U. ostrommaysi
|
V. osmolskae
|
A. albersdoerferi
|
A. antecedens
|
| 🔹 Diet
|
Mammals, lizards, nestlings
|
Large iguanodontians, sauropods
|
Protoceratops, small lizards
|
Jurassic beetles, flying insects
|
Forest insects, soft grubs
|
| 🔹 Epoch / Stage / Years
|
Late Cretaceous (~73 Ma)
|
Early Cretaceous (~125 Ma)
|
Late Cretaceous (~75 Ma)
|
Late Jurassic (~150 Ma)
|
Late Cretaceous (~73 mya)
|
| 🔹 Origin (Franchise)
|
Paleoart community features
|
Walking with Dinosaurs (Movie), Ark
|
Jurassic Park (Taxonomy sibling)
|
Prehistoric Planet, Dino Dan
|
Walking with Dinosaurs (Movie)
|
| 🔹 Estimated L & H
|
L: 1.8m, H: 0.6m
|
L: 5.5m, H: 1.8 meters
|
L: 2m, H: 0.5m
|
L: 0.5m, H: 0.2m
|
L: 0.15m, H: 0.06m
|
| 🔹 Weight
|
10 kg
|
300 – 500 kg
|
15 – 20 kg
|
500 grams
|
35 grams
|
| 🔹 Collected
|
Diagnostic frontal skull roof bones
|
Massive multi-individual quicksand block
|
Distinctive upper jaw bone features
|
Complete skeleton ("11th specimen")
|
Fragmentary shoulder and wing bones
|
| 🔹 Status / Author / Year
|
Valid; Jasinski, 2015
|
Valid; Kirkland et al., 1993
|
Valid; Godefroit et al., 2008
|
Valid; Kundrát et al., 2018
|
Valid; Brodkorb, 1976
|
| 🔹 Area / Locality
|
San Juan Basin, New Mexico
|
Grand County, Utah, USA
|
Wulanshai, Inner Mongolia, China
|
Jachenhausen, Bavaria, Germany
|
El Rosario, Baja California, Mexico
|
| 🔹 Brian's Comments
|
Possessed exceptionally deep olfactory pathways, granting an incredibly keen sense of smell.
|
A heavily muscled giant built like a grizzly bear, completely reinterpreting standard agile raptor shapes.
|
Differentiated from V. mongoliensis by unique features in the maxilla and skull roof arches.
|
Described in 2018 using advanced synchrotron scanning to prove it was a distinct flying morph.
|
A key primitive land bird showing that true flight adaptations were fully formed in Cretaceous woods.
|
🦕 Infraorder Prosauropoda & Basal Saurischians (Ancestral Long-Necks)
Family Herrerasauridae & Anchisauridae
Note: The joke entry "Smurfette smurfiness" has been excluded from this scientific catalog.
| Profile Field
|
Herrerasaurus ischigualastensis
|
Anchisaurus polyzelus
|
Efraasia minor
|
Thecodontosaurus antiquus
|
| Scientific Name
|
Herrerasaurus ischigualastensis
|
Anchisaurus polyzelus
|
Efraasia minor
|
Thecodontosaurus antiquus
|
| Size
|
3 – 6 meters (10–20 ft) long
|
2 meters (6.5 ft) long
|
6 meters (20 ft) long
|
1.2 meters (4 ft) long
|
| Diet
|
Carnivore (Small to mid-sized prey)
|
Herbivore / Omnivore
|
Herbivore / Omnivore
|
Herbivore / Omnivore
|
| Habitat
|
Seasonally arid river floodplains
|
Lush rift valley flood basins
|
Subtropical open floodplains
|
Island archipelagos, coastal woodlands
|
| Where Found / Formation
|
Argentina; Ischigualasto Formation
|
Massachusetts, USA; Portland Formation
|
Germany; Löwenstein Formation
|
United Kingdom; Magnesian Conglomerate
|
| Time
|
Late Triassic (Carnian, ~231 Ma)
|
Early Jurassic (Pliensbachian–Toarcian)
|
Late Triassic (Norian, ~210 Ma)
|
Late Triassic (Rhaetian, ~205 Ma)
|
| Related Genera
|
Sanjuansaurus, Staurikosaurus
|
Ammosaurus, Massospondylus
|
Plateosaurus, Ruehleia
|
Pantydraco, Asylosaurus
|
| Chart Table Data
|
|
|
|
|
| 🔹 Meaning
|
"Herrera's lizard from Ischigualasto"
|
"Near lizard, much-sought-for"
|
"Efraim Fraas's minor lizard"
|
"Socket-toothed ancient lizard"
|
| 🔹 Species
|
H. ischigualastensis
|
A. polyzelus
|
E. minor
|
T. antiquus
|
| 🔹 Diet
|
Rhynchosaurs, early synapsids, herds
|
Soft ferns, ancient cycads, insects
|
Seed ferns, conifers, small lizards
|
Low-growing shrubs, tender flora
|
| 🔹 Epoch / Stage / Years
|
Late Triassic (Carnian)
|
Early Jurassic (~185 Ma)
|
Late Triassic (Norian)
|
Late Triassic (Rhaetian)
|
| 🔹 Origin (Franchise)
|
Jurassic Park (Game), JWE2
|
Classic North American geology texts
|
Dinosaurs! Magazine (Retro mentions)
|
BBC's The Ballad of Big Al (Mention)
|
| 🔹 Estimated L & H
|
L: 4.5m, H: 1.4m
|
L: 2m, H: 0.6m
|
L: 6m, H: 1.5m
|
L: 1.2m, H: 0.35m
|
| 🔹 Weight
|
200 – 350 kg
|
25 – 30 kg
|
250 kg
|
11 kg
|
| 🔹 Collected
|
Complete skeletons, pristine skulls
|
Segmented bones, partial postcrania
|
Fragmentary skeletons, juvenile skulls
|
Disarticulated bones in fissure fills
|
| 🔹 Status / Author / Year
|
Valid; Reig, 1963
|
Valid; Hitchcock, 1865
|
Valid; Galton, 1973
|
Valid; Morris, 1843
|
| 🔹 Area / Locality
|
San Juan Province, Argentina
|
Springfield, Massachusetts, USA
|
Pfaffenhofen, Baden-Württemberg
|
Durdham Down, Bristol, England
|
| 🔹 Brian's Comments
|
One of the earliest true dinosaurs; possessed a flexible lower jaw joint for gripping struggling prey.
|
Originally mistaken for human bones when unearthed by construction workers in 1818.
|
Historically confused with both Sellosaurus and Teratosaurus due to tangled Triassic classifications.
|
The fourth dinosaur genus ever named in history, living on isolated prehistoric British islands.
|
Family Plateosauridae & Melanorosauridae
| Profile Field
|
Massospondylus kaalae
|
Plateosaurus gracilis
|
Riojasaurus incertus
|
| Scientific Name
|
Massospondylus kaalae
|
Plateosaurus gracilis
|
Riojasaurus incertus
|
| Size
|
4 – 6 meters (13–20 ft) long
|
4.5 – 5 meters (15–16 ft) long
|
10 meters (33 ft) long
|
| Diet
|
Herbivore (High-reach browser)
|
Herbivore (Selective browser)
|
Herbivore (Bulky low-to-mid browser)
|
| Habitat
|
Semi-arid environments, seasonal rivers
|
Arid to semi-arid flood basins
|
Broad inland river valleys, plains
|
| Where Found / Formation
|
South Africa; Upper Elliot Formation
|
Germany; Löwenstein Formation
|
Argentina; Los Colorados Formation
|
| Time
|
Early Jurassic (Hettangian–Pliensbachian)
|
Late Triassic (Norian, ~210 Ma)
|
Late Triassic (Norian, ~215 Ma)
|
| Related Genera
|
Lufengosaurus, Coloradisaurus
|
P. trossingensis, Unaysaurus
|
Melanorosaurus, Camelotia
|
| Chart Table Data
|
|
|
|
| 🔹 Meaning
|
"Massive vertebra honoring Kaala"
|
"Broad lizard, slender built"
|
"La Rioja lizard, uncertain"
|
| 🔹 Species
|
M. kaalae
|
P. gracilis
|
R. incertus
|
| 🔹 Diet
|
Conifer needles, seed ferns
|
Cycads, primitive club mosses
|
Early tropical canopy flora, ferns
|
| 🔹 Epoch / Stage / Years
|
Early Jurassic (~195 Ma)
|
Late Triassic (Norian)
|
Late Triassic (Late Norian)
|
| 🔹 Origin (Franchise)
|
When Dinosaurs Roamed America
|
Dinosaur King, Early German museums
|
Walking with Dinosaurs (Textbooks/Guides)
|
| 🔹 Estimated L & H
|
L: 4.5m, H: 1.5m
|
L: 4.8m, H: 1.4m
|
L: 10m, H: 2.6 meters
|
| 🔹 Weight
|
1,000 kg
|
600 kg
|
2.5 – 3 metric tons
|
| 🔹 Collected
|
Complete nesting sites with eggs/embryos
|
Dozens of bonebeds, complete skeletons
|
Multiple articulated headless/complete skeletons
|
| 🔹 Status / Author / Year
|
Valid; Barrett, 2009
|
Valid; von Huene, 1905
|
Valid; Bonaparte, 1969
|
| 🔹 Area / Locality
|
Free State, South Africa
|
Trossingen, Baden-Württemberg, Germany
|
Pagancillo, La Rioja Province, Argentina
|
| 🔹 Brian's Comments
|
Nesting sites show parents carefully arranged round eggs and likely fed toothless hatchlings.
|
Originally described as Sellosaurus gracilis before modern revisions unified the group under Plateosaurus.
|
Unlike smaller prosauropods, this massive beast was an obligate, heavy-set quadruped.
|
🦕 Infraorder Sauropoda (True Giant Long-Necks)
Family Cetiosauridae & Brachiosauridae
| Profile Field
|
Barapasaurus tagorei
|
Brachiosaurus altithorax
|
Sauroposeidon proteles
|
| Scientific Name
|
Barapasaurus tagorei
|
Brachiosaurus altithorax
|
Sauroposeidon proteles
|
| Size
|
12 – 14 meters (40–46 ft) long
|
22 – 26 meters (72–85 ft) long
|
28 – 34 meters (92–111 ft) long
|
| Diet
|
Herbivore
|
Herbivore (High-canopy specialist)
|
Herbivore (Ultra-high canopy browser)
|
| Habitat
|
Lush, tropical river basins
|
Forested floodplains, open savannas
|
Costal plains, river deltas, lowlands
|
| Where Found / Formation
|
India; Kota Formation
|
Colorado, USA; Morrison Formation / India; Kota Formation
|
Oklahoma, Texas, USA; Antlers Formation
|
| Time
|
Early to Middle Jurassic (~175 Ma)
|
Late Jurassic (Kimmeridgian–Tithonian)
|
Early Cretaceous (Aptian–Albian)
|
| Related Genera
|
Cetiosaurus, Shunosaurus
|
Giraffatitan, Lusotitan
|
Brachiosaurus, Abydosaurus
|
| Chart Table Data
|
|
|
|
| 🔹 Meaning
|
"Big-legged lizard honoring Tagore"
|
"Arm lizard with a deep chest"
|
"Lizard earthquake god, advanced"
|
| 🔹 Species
|
B. tagorei
|
B. altithorax
|
S. proteles
|
| 🔹 Diet
|
Ancient ginkgos, conifers, tree ferns
|
High conifer branches, cycad leaves
|
High-altitude tree tops, conifers, palms
|
| 🔹 Epoch / Stage / Years
|
Early–Middle Jurassic (Toarcian)
|
Late Jurassic (~152 Ma)
|
Early Cretaceous (~112–105 Ma)
|
| 🔹 Origin (Franchise)
|
Early sauropod evolution monographs
|
The signature awe-inspiring icon of Jurassic Park
|
Monsters Resurrected, JWE2
|
| 🔹 Estimated L & H
|
L: 14m, H: 3.5m
|
L: 26m, H: 12 – 15 meters
|
L: 32m, H: 16 – 17 meters
|
| 🔹 Weight
|
7 metric tons
|
35 – 50 metric tons
|
40 – 60 metric tons
|
| 🔹 Collected
|
Bonebeds containing ~300 isolated bones
|
Highly limited partial skeletons, giant limbs
|
Exceedingly long cervical (neck) vertebrae
|
| 🔹 Status / Author / Year
|
Valid; Jain et al., 1975
|
Valid; Riggs, 1903
|
Valid; Wedel et al., 2000
|
| 🔹 Area / Locality
|
Adilabad District, Telangana, India
|
Grand Junction, Colorado, USA / Adilabad District, Telangana, India
|
Atoka County, Oklahoma, USA
|
| 🔹 Brian's Comments
|
The oldest known structurally sound giant sauropod; lacked the hollow vertebrae of later lines.
|
The posture was distinctly giraffe-like, with hindlimbs shorter than its immense forelimbs.
|
The tallest dinosaur ever recorded; single neck vertebrae were over 1.4 meters long and honeycombed with air pits.
|
Family Camarasauridae
| Profile Field
|
Camarasaurus supremus
|
Euhelopus zdanskyi
|
Opisthocoelicaudia skarzynskii
|
| Scientific Name
|
Camarasaurus supremus
|
Euhelopus zdanskyi
|
Opisthocoelicaudia skarzynskii
|
| Size
|
15 – 23 meters (50–75 ft) long
|
11 – 15 meters (36–50 ft) long
|
11.4 meters (37 ft) long
|
| Diet
|
Herbivore (Generalist crushing browser)
|
Herbivore
|
Herbivore (Low-to-mid browser)
|
| Habitat
|
Semi-arid open floodplains, basins
|
Forested lake systems, sub-tropical valleys
|
Lush deltaic swamp forests, river plains
|
| Where Found / Formation
|
CO, WY, UT, USA; Morrison Formation
|
Shandong, China; Mengyin Formation
|
Mongolia; Nemegt Formation
|
| Time
|
Late Jurassic (Kimmeridgian–Tithonian)
|
Early Cretaceous (Barremian–Aptian)
|
Late Cretaceous (Late Maastrichtian)
|
| Related Genera
|
Cathetosaurus, Lourinhasaurus
|
Erketu, Huabeisaurus
|
Saltasaurus, Alamosaurus
|
| Chart Table Data
|
|
|
|
| 🔹 Meaning
|
"Chambered lizard of highest rank"
|
"True marsh foot honoring Otto Zdansky"
|
"Posterior-hollow tail honoring Skarżyńska"
|
| 🔹 Species
|
C. supremus
|
E. zdanskyi
|
O. skarzynskii
|
| 🔹 Diet
|
Tough pine needles, branches, cycads
|
Sub-tropical canopy brush, ferns
|
Tough river reeds, shrubs, aquatic flora
|
| 🔹 Epoch / Stage / Years
|
Late Jurassic (~150 Ma)
|
Early Cretaceous (~120 Ma)
|
Late Cretaceous (~70–66 Ma)
|
| 🔹 Origin (Franchise)
|
Jurassic Park: Operation Genesis, JWE2
|
Early East Asian paleontology surveys
|
Dino Dan, Mesozoic ecosystem dioramas
|
| 🔹 Estimated L & H
|
L: 18m, H: 8.5m
|
L: 13m, H: 3.8m
|
L: 11.4m, H: 2.8m
|
| 🔹 Weight
|
20 – 30 metric tons
|
4 – 5 metric tons
|
8.5 – 10 metric tons
|
| 🔹 Collected
|
Hundreds of complete adult/juvenile skeletons
|
Two near-complete skeletons, pristine skulls
|
Perfectly articulated skeleton lacking a neck/head
|
| 🔹 Status / Author / Year
|
Valid; Cope, 1877
|
Valid; Romer, 1956
|
Valid; Borsuk-Białynicka, 1977
|
| 🔹 Area / Locality
|
Garden Park, Colorado, USA
|
Mengyin County, Shandong, China
|
Altan Ula, Gobi Desert, Mongolia
|
| 🔹 Brian's Comments
|
The most common sauropod of the Morrison Formation, using robust, spoon-shaped teeth to grind coarse food.
|
Possessed highly specialized long legs relative to its arms, breaking from standard sauropod curves.
|
The unique ball-and-socket tail joints indicate it could prop itself up into a stable tripod stance.
|
Family Diplodocidae (The Whip-Tails)
| Profile Field
|
Apatosaurus ajax
|
Diplodocus hallorum
|
Mamenchisaurus sinocanadorum
|
Supersaurus vivianae
|
| Scientific Name
|
Apatosaurus ajax
|
Diplodocus hallorum
|
Mamenchisaurus sinocanadorum
|
Supersaurus vivianae
|
| Size
|
21 – 23 meters (70–75 ft) long
|
30 – 33 meters (98–108 ft) long
|
35 meters (115 ft) long
|
39 – 50 meters (128–160 ft) long
|
| Diet
|
Herbivore (Low ground sweeping browser)
|
Herbivore (Ground-level stripper)
|
Herbivore ( Sweeping mid-canopy browser)
|
Herbivore (Massive volume general browser)
|
| Habitat
|
Semi-arid open wood savannas
|
Forested river valleys, open floodplains
|
Sub-tropical dense river floodplains
|
Extensive semi-arid inland plains
|
| Where Found / Formation
|
CO, UT, WY, USA; Morrison Formation
|
New Mexico, USA; Morrison Formation
|
Xinjiang, China; Shishugou Formation
|
Colorado, WY, USA; Morrison Formation
|
| Time
|
Late Jurassic (Kimmeridgian–Tithonian)
|
Late Jurassic (Tithonian, ~150 Ma)
|
Late Jurassic (Oxfordian, ~160 Ma)
|
Late Jurassic (Kimmeridgian–Tithonian)
|
| Related Genera
|
Brontosaurus, Barosaurus
|
Barosaurus, Galeamopus
|
Omeisaurus, Chuanjiesaurus
|
Barosaurus, Diplodocus
|
| Chart Table Data
|
|
|
|
|
| 🔹 Meaning
|
"Deceptive lizard, Ajax hero"
|
"Double-beam honoring Jim Hall"
|
"Mamenchi wing, Sino-Canadian project"
|
"Super lizard honoring Vivian Jones"
|
| 🔹 Species
|
A. ajax
|
D. hallorum
|
M. sinocanadorum
|
V. vivianae
|
| 🔹 Diet
|
Horsetails, low ferns, water weeds
|
Low-lying ground foliage, ferns, mosses
|
Mid-to-high tree needles, ginkgos
|
Massive volumes of soft conifers, ferns
|
| 🔹 Epoch / Stage / Years
|
Late Jurassic (~152–151 Ma)
|
Late Jurassic (~150 Ma)
|
Late Jurassic (~160 Ma)
|
Late Jurassic (~150 Ma)
|
| 🔹 Origin (Franchise)
|
Jurassic Park (Novel/Film hybrid identity)
|
Walking with Dinosaurs (as Seismosaurus)
|
Dinosaur Revolution, Giant Sauropod texts
|
Paleoart, Large-scale museum exhibits
|
| 🔹 Estimated L & H
|
L: 22m, H: 6.8m
|
L: 32m, H: 6.5m (At hips)
|
L: 35m, H: 17.5m
|
L: 50m, H: 21.1 meters (At head)
|
| 🔹 Weight
|
20 – 25 metric tons
|
23 – 30 metric tons
|
60 – 75 metric tons
|
35 – 40 metric tons
|
| 🔹 Collected
|
Multiple massive articulated skeletons
|
Holotype partial skeleton (tail and pelvis)
|
Massive fused neck bones, partial skeleton
|
Articulated shoulder girdles, immense ribs
|
| 🔹 Status / Author / Year
|
Valid; Marsh, 1877
|
Valid; Lucas, 1988
|
Valid; Russell & Zheng, 1993
|
Valid; Jensen, 1985
|
| 🔹 Area / Locality
|
Gunnison County, Colorado, USA
|
Sandoval County, New Mexico, USA
|
Junggar Basin, Xinjiang, China
|
Dry Mesa Quarry, Colorado, USA
|
| 🔹 Brian's Comments
|
Famed for its stocky, immensely muscled neck and limbs compared to its longer, slimmer cousins.
|
Long known under the name Seismosaurus before recent skull-matching unmasked it as a giant Diplodocus.
|
Possessed a record-setting 15-meter neck, supported by lightweight bone cross-struts.
|
Recent 2020s structural analysis validates it as the longest valid dinosaur found in North America.
|
Family Titanosauridae (The True Giants)
| Profile Field
|
Dreadnoughtus schrani
|
Patagotitan mayorum
|
Saltasaurus loricatus
|
| Scientific Name
|
Dreadnoughtus schrani
|
Patagotitan mayorum
|
Saltasaurus loricatus
|
| Size
|
26 meters (85 ft) long
|
37 meters (122 ft) long
|
8.5 meters (28 ft) long
|
| Diet
|
Herbivore (Massive scale bulk browser)
|
Herbivore (Massive scale bulk browser)
|
Herbivore (Low ground browser)
|
| Habitat
|
Temperate humid river valley forests
|
Semi-arid open floodplains, forests
|
Arid coastal plains, scrub lowlands
|
| Where Found / Formation
|
Argentina; Cerro Fortaleza Formation
|
Argentina; Cerro Barcino Formation
|
Argentina; Lecho Formation
|
| Time
|
Late Cretaceous (Campanian–Maastrichtian)
|
Let Cretaceous (Albian, ~101 Ma)
|
Late Cretaceous (Late Maastrichtian)
|
| Related Genera
|
Notocolossus, Futalognkosaurus
|
Argentinosaurus, Puertasaurus
|
Neuquensaurus, Rocasaurus
|
| Chart Table Data
|
|
|
|
| 🔹 Meaning
|
"Fears-nothing honoring Adam Schran"
|
"Patagonian titan, Mayo family farm"
|
"Salta Province lizard with body armor"
|
| 🔹 Species
|
D. schrani
|
P. mayorum
|
S. loricatus
|
| 🔹 Diet
|
High conifers, massive volume green foliage
|
Entire sub-tropical tree crowns, leaves
|
Coarse shrubs, ground-level plants
|
| 🔹 Epoch / Stage / Years
|
Late Cretaceous (~76–70 Ma)
|
Late Cretaceous (~101.5 Ma)
|
Late Cretaceous (~68–66 Ma)
|
| 🔹 Origin (Franchise)
|
Prehistoric Planet, Jurassic World Dominion
|
David Attenborough and the Giant Dinosaur
|
Dinosaur King, Early armored dinosaur papers
|
| 🔹 Estimated L & H
|
L: 26m, H: 18 meters
|
L: 37m, H: 12 meters
|
L: 8.5m, H: 2.1m
|
| 🔹 Weight
|
48 – 54 metric tons
|
65 – 70 metric tons
|
2.5 metric tons
|
| 🔹 Collected
|
70% complete skeleton (most intact giant)
|
Multi-individual bonebed (6+ specimens)
|
Hundreds of armor osteoderms, skeletons
|
| 🔹 Status / Author / Year
|
Valid; Lacovara et al., 2014
|
Valid; Carballido et al., 2017
|
Valid; Bonaparte & Powell, 1980
|
| 🔹 Area / Locality
|
Santa Cruz Province, Patagonia
|
Chubut Province, Patagonia, Argentina
|
Salta Province, Northwest Argentina
|
| 🔹 Brian's Comments
|
Its name honors the classic steel battleships because an adult would have been virtually immune to attack.
|
One of the absolute largest land animals ever discovered, rivaling Argentinosaurus in mass.
|
The landmark find that proved some sauropods grew crocodile-like bony armor plating across their backs.
|
🦕 Family Fabrosauridae & Heterodontosauridae (Primitive Ornithischians)
| Profile Field
|
Lesothosaurus diagnosticus
|
Scutellosaurus lawleri
|
Echinodon becklesii
|
Heterodontosaurus tucki
|
| Scientific Name
|
Lesothosaurus diagnosticus
|
Scutellosaurus lawleri
|
Echinodon becklesii
|
Heterodontosaurus tucki
|
| Size
|
1 meter (3.3 ft) long
|
1.2 meters (4 ft) long
|
0.6 meters (2 ft) long
|
1.2 meters (4 ft) long
|
| Diet
|
Herbivore / Omnivore
|
Herbivore
|
Herbivore / Omnivore
|
Omnivore / Herbivore
|
| Habitat
|
Semi-arid floodplains, dunes
|
Arid deserts, oasis margins
|
Coastal lagoons, swamp margins
|
Seasonal river valleys, flood basins
|
| Where Found / Formation
|
Lesotho, South Africa; Elliot Formation
|
Arizona, USA; Kayenta Formation
|
England; Purbeck Group
|
South Africa; Elliot Formation
|
| Time
|
Early Jurassic (Hettangian–Sinemurian)
|
Early Jurassic (Sinemurian–Pliensbachian)
|
Early Cretaceous (Berriasian, ~140 Ma)
|
Early Jurassic (Hettangian–Sinemurian)
|
| Related Genera
|
Fabrosaurus, Stormbergia
|
Eocursor, Lesothosaurus
|
Fruitadens, Tianyulong
|
Lycorhinus, Abrictosaurus
|
| Chart Table Data
|
|
|
|
|
| 🔹 Meaning
|
"Lizard from Lesotho, diagnostic"
|
"Little shielded lizard honoring Lawler"
|
"Prickly tooth honoring Samuel Beckles"
|
"Different-toothed lizard honoring Tuck"
|
| 🔹 Species
|
L. diagnosticus
|
S. lawleri
|
E. becklesii
|
H. tucki
|
| 🔹 Diet
|
Low shrubs, roots, small insects
|
Ferns, early desert brush
|
Roots, tough leaves, insects
|
Roots, tubers, small lizards, insects
|
| 🔹 Epoch / Stage / Years
|
Early Jurassic (~198–195 Ma)
|
Early Jurassic (~186 Ma)
|
Early Cretaceous (~140 Ma)
|
Early Jurassic (~199–196 Ma)
|
| 🔹 Origin (Franchise)
|
Dinosaur King, Early textbook graphics
|
When Dinosaurs Roamed America
|
Early British Mesozoic monographs
|
Prehistoric Kingdom, Paleoart
|
| 🔹 Estimated L & H
|
L: 1m, H: 0.3m
|
L: 1.2m, H: 0.25m
|
L: 0.6m, H: 0.15m
|
L: 1.2m, H: 0.4m
|
| 🔹 Weight
|
1.8 – 2.5 kg
|
3 kg
|
500 grams
|
2 – 3.4 kg
|
| 🔹 Collected
|
Complete articulated skulls & skeletons
|
Articulated partial skeletons, osteoderms
|
Fragmentary jaw fragments with teeth
|
Exquisite three-dimensional skulls
|
| 🔹 Status / Author / Year
|
Valid; Galton, 1978
|
Valid; Colbert, 1981
|
Valid; Owen, 1861
|
Valid; Crompton & Charig, 1962
|
| 🔹 Area / Locality
|
Mafeteng District, Lesotho
|
Coconino County, Arizona, USA
|
Isle of Purbeck, Dorset, England
|
Cape Province, South Africa
|
| 🔹 Brian's Comments
|
A classic, ultra-primitive bird-hipped baseline form built for extreme high-speed agility.
|
One of the earliest armored dinosaurs, acting as a structural link leading toward stegosaurs.
|
One of the few known heterodontosaurids to survive late into the early Cretaceous era.
|
Armed with iconic prominent canine-like tusks likely used for intra-species display or defense.
|
🏃 Family Hypsilophodontidae (Small Agile Runners)
Part 1
| Profile Field
|
Dryosaurus elderae
|
Hypsilophodon foxii
|
Parksosaurus warreni
|
| Scientific Name
|
Dryosaurus elderae
|
Hypsilophodon foxii
|
Parksosaurus warreni
|
| Size
|
2.5 – 3 meters (8–10 ft) long
|
1.8 meters (6 ft) long
|
2.5 meters (8 ft) long
|
| Diet
|
Herbivore
|
Herbivore
|
Herbivore
|
| Habitat
|
Semi-arid open floodplains, forests
|
Coastal sub-tropical floodplains
|
Cool temperate redwood forests
|
| Where Found / Formation
|
Utah, Colorado, USA; Morrison Formation
|
Isle of Wight, UK; Wessex Formation
|
Alberta, Canada; Horseshoe Canyon
|
| Time
|
Late Jurassic (Kimmeridgian–Tithonian)
|
Early Cretaceous (Barremian, ~125 Ma)
|
Late Cretaceous (Maastrichtian, ~70 Ma)
|
| Related Genera
|
Dysalotosaurus, Valdosaurus
|
Orodromeus, Zephyrosaurus
|
Thescelosaurus, Orodromeus
|
| Chart Table Data
|
|
|
|
| 🔹 Meaning
|
"Oak lizard honoring Ann Elder"
|
"High-crested tooth honoring Fox"
|
"William Parks's lizard honoring Warren"
|
| 🔹 Species
|
D. elderae
|
H. foxii
|
P. warreni
|
| 🔹 Diet
|
Ferns, horsetails, low club mosses
|
Low-lying forest ground vegetation
|
Ferns, shrubs, conifer seed cones
|
| 🔹 Epoch / Stage / Years
|
Late Jurassic (~150 Ma)
|
Early Cretaceous (Barremian)
|
Late Cretaceous (~70–68 Ma)
|
| 🔹 Origin (Franchise)
|
Jurassic Park: Operation Genesis, JWE2
|
Walking with Dinosaurs (BBC)
|
Western Canadian paleontology catalogs
|
| 🔹 Estimated L & H
|
L: 2.8m, H: 0.9m
|
L: 1.8m, H: 0.5m
|
L: 2.5m, H: 0.8m
|
| 🔹 Weight
|
70 – 90 kg
|
20 kg
|
65 kg
|
| 🔹 Collected
|
Complete growth series, pristine skulls
|
Massive multi-individual bonebeds
|
Single partial skeleton lacking a tail tip
|
| 🔹 Status / Author / Year
|
Valid; Carpenter & Galton, 2018
|
Valid; Huxley, 1869
|
Valid; Sternberg, 1937
|
| 🔹 Area / Locality
|
Dinosaur National Monument, Utah, USA
|
Brighstone Bay, Isle of Wight, UK
|
Red Deer River, Alberta, Canada
|
| 🔹 Brian's Comments
|
Split from D. altus in 2018; had a noticeably more elongated skull and distinct pelvic lines.
|
Victorian-era scientists incorrectly thought it climbed trees like a modern tree-kangaroo.
|
One of the final specialized small-bodied bipeds sharing territory with giant duckbills.
|
Part 2
| Profile Field
|
Tenontosaurus dossi
|
Thescelosaurus garbanii
|
Valdosaurus canaliculatus
|
| Scientific Name
|
Tenontosaurus dossi
|
Thescelosaurus garbanii
|
Valdosaurus canaliculatus
|
| Size
|
6 – 7 meters (20–23 ft) long
|
2.5 – 4 meters (8–13 ft) long
|
4 meters (13 ft) long
|
| Diet
|
Herbivore
|
Herbivore (Ground picker)
|
Herbivore
|
| Habitat
|
Sub-tropical marsh deltas, lowlands
|
Stream-cut coastal plains, woodlands
|
Braided river environments, lagoons
|
| Where Found / Formation
|
Texas, USA; Twin Mountains Formation
|
Montana, USA; Hell Creek Formation
|
England, UK; Weald Clay Formation
|
| Time
|
Early Cretaceous (Aptian, ~115 Ma)
|
Late Cretaceous (Late Maastrichtian)
|
Early Cretaceous (Barremian, ~125 Ma)
|
| Related Genera
|
T. tilletti, Muttaburrasaurus
|
Parksosaurus, Orodromeus
|
Dryosaurus, Elrhazosaurus
|
| Chart Table Data
|
|
|
|
| 🔹 Meaning
|
"Sinew lizard honoring James Doss"
|
"Wonderful lizard honoring Garbani"
|
"Wealden lizard with little channels"
|
| 🔹 Species
|
T. dossi
|
T. garbanii
|
V. canaliculatus
|
| 🔹 Diet
|
Tough cycad leaves, low-lying ferns
|
Roots, low tough woody brush
|
Horsetails, ferns, Cretaceous shrubs
|
| 🔹 Epoch / Stage / Years
|
Early Cretaceous (Aptian)
|
Late Cretaceous (~67–66 Ma)
|
Early Cretaceous (Barremian)
|
| 🔹 Origin (Franchise)
|
Primal Carnage, Jurassic Park card games
|
Prehistoric Planet, Paleoart circles
|
Isle of Wight museum displays
|
| 🔹 Estimated L & H
|
L: 6.5m, H: 1.8m
|
L: 3.5m, H: 1.1m
|
L: 4m, H: 1.2m
|
| 🔹 Weight
|
600 – 1,000 kg
|
200 – 300 kg
|
150 kg
|
| 🔹 Collected
|
Articulated adult and juvenile skeletons
|
Partially articulated headless postcrania
|
Fragmentary femur sets, associated limbs
|
| 🔹 Status / Author / Year
|
Valid; Winkler et al., 1997
|
Valid; Morris, 1976
|
Valid; Galton, 1975
|
| 🔹 Area / Locality
|
Parker County, Texas, USA
|
Garfield County, Montana, USA
|
Cuckfield, West Sussex, England
|
| 🔹 Brian's Comments
|
The ancestral species to T. tilletti; possessed primitive teeth at the front of its snout.
|
Built remarkably stocky and low to the earth compared to its classic agile relatives.
|
A highly migratory dryosaurid that crossed early European river delta systems.
|
🦖 Family Iguanodontidae (Large Beaked Browsers)
| Profile Field
|
Camptosaurus dispar
|
Hippodraco scutodens
|
Iguanodon bernissartensis
|
Muttaburrasaurus langdoni
|
Ouranosaurus nigeriensis
|
| Scientific Name
|
Camptosaurus dispar
|
Hippodraco scutodens
|
Iguanodon bernissartensis
|
Muttaburrasaurus langdoni
|
Ouranosaurus nigeriensis
|
| Size
|
5 – 6 meters long
|
4.5 meters long
|
9 – 13 meters long
|
7 – 8 meters long
|
7 – 8.3 meters long
|
| Diet
|
Herbivore
|
Herbivore
|
Herbivore
|
Herbivore / Omnivore
|
Herbivore
|
| Habitat
|
Forested semi-arid plains
|
Expansive open floodbasins
|
Sub-tropical delta swamps
|
Open coastal river valleys
|
Inland river system deltas
|
| Where Found / Formation
|
UT, WY, CO; Morrison
|
Utah, USA; Cedar Mountain
|
Belgium, Germany; Sainte-Barbe
|
Queensland; Mackunda
|
Niger; Elrhaz Formation
|
| Time
|
Late Jurassic (Kimmeridgian)
|
Early Cretaceous (Barremian)
|
Early Cretaceous (~125–120 Ma)
|
Early Cretaceous (Albian, ~103 Ma)
|
Early Cretaceous (Aptian, ~112 Ma)
|
| Related Genera
|
Cumnoria, Uteodon
|
Iguanodon, Theiophytalia
|
Mantellisaurus, Ouranosaurus
|
Tenontosaurus, Fostoria
|
Iguanodon, Mantellisaurus
|
| Chart Table Data
|
|
|
|
|
|
| 🔹 Meaning
|
"Flexible lizard, distinct"
|
"Horse dragon with shield teeth"
|
"Iguana tooth from Bernissart"
|
"Muttaburra lizard, Langdon's"
|
"Brave lizard from Niger"
|
| 🔹 Species
|
C. dispar
|
H. scutodens
|
I. bernissartensis
|
M. langdoni
|
O. nigeriensis
|
| 🔹 Diet
|
Cycads, ferns, conifers
|
Low ferns, early shrubs
|
Conifers, horsetails, club mosses
|
Tough vegetation, scavenged meat
|
High-sugar river flora, leaves
|
| 🔹 Epoch / Stage / Years
|
Late Jurassic (~152 Ma)
|
Early Cretaceous (Barremian)
|
Early Cretaceous (Aptian)
|
Early Cretaceous (Albian)
|
Early Cretaceous (Aptian)
|
| 🔹 Origin (Franchise)
|
Jurassic Park: Explorer, JWE2
|
American iguanodontian studies
|
Walking with Dinosaurs (BBC)
|
Walking with Dinosaurs (BBC)
|
Land Before Time, JWE2
|
| 🔹 Estimated L & H
|
L: 6m, H: 1.8m
|
L: 4.5m, H: 1.4m
|
L: 13m, H: 4.7 meters
|
L: 7.5m, H: 2.2m
|
L: 8m, H: 2.5 meters
|
| 🔹 Weight
|
500 – 800 kg
|
400 kg
|
3.5 – 4.5 metric tons
|
2.8 metric tons
|
2.2 metric tons
|
| 🔹 Collected
|
Abundant articulated skeletons
|
Single complete skull and skeleton
|
30+ complete intact coal mine skeletons
|
Exquisite complete skeleton, skull
|
Two complete skeletons with sails
|
| 🔹 Status / Author / Year
|
Valid; Marsh, 1879
|
Valid; Kirkland et al., 2010
|
Valid; Boulenger, 1881
|
Valid; Bartholomai, 1981
|
Valid; Taquet, 1976
|
| 🔹 Area / Locality
|
Como Bluff, Wyoming, USA
|
Grand County, Utah, USA
|
Bernissart, Hainaut, Belgium
|
Muttaburra, Queensland
|
Gadoufaoua, Ténéré Desert
|
| 🔹 Brian's Comments
|
Possessed highly versatile hands capable of transitioning between bipedal running and quadrupedal walking.
|
The skull shape shows a highly specialized downward-sloping horse-like profile.
|
The iconic discovery in a Belgian coal mine proved dinosaurs lived in large communal groups.
|
Features a massive hollow nose chamber likely used as a powerful acoustic speaker box.
|
Possessed highly elongated neural spines that formed a prominent sail used for heat regulation.
|
🦆 Family Hadrosauridae (The Duck-Billed Dinosaurs)
Part 1 - Solid & Hollow Crested Morphs
| Profile Field
|
Corythosaurus casuarius
|
Edmontosaurus regalis
|
Hypacrosaurus stebingeri
|
Lambeosaurus magnicristatus
|
| Scientific Name
|
Corythosaurus casuarius
|
Edmontosaurus regalis
|
Hypacrosaurus stebingeri
|
Lambeosaurus magnicristatus
|
| Size
|
9 meters (30 ft) long
|
12 – 13 meters (40–43 ft) long
|
9 meters (30 ft) long
|
9.1 meters (30 ft) long
|
| Diet
|
Herbivore (Grinding battery)
|
Herbivore (Massive bulk shredder)
|
Herbivore
|
Herbivore
|
| Habitat
|
Coastal swamps, swamp channels
|
Forested coastal river valleys
|
Floodplains, semi-arid woods
|
Sub-tropical wet river plains
|
| Where Found / Formation
|
Alberta, Canada; Dinosaur Park / Lance
|
Alberta, Canada; Horseshoe Canyon / Lance
|
Montana, USA; Two Medicine
|
Alberta, Canada; Dinosaur Park
|
| Time
|
Late Cretaceous (Campanian, ~76 Ma)
|
Late Cretaceous (Maastrichtian, ~72 Ma)
|
Late Cretaceous (Campanian, ~75 Ma)
|
Late Cretaceous (Campanian, ~75 Ma)
|
| Related Genera
|
Hypacrosaurus, Lambeosaurus
|
Shantungosaurus, Anatosuchus
|
Corythosaurus, Lambeosaurus
|
Corythosaurus, Amurosaurus
|
| Chart Table Data
|
|
|
|
|
| 🔹 Meaning
|
"Helmet lizard like a cassowary"
|
"Edmonton lizard king"
|
"Near the highest lizard, Stebinger's"
|
"Lawrence Lambe's large-crested lizard"
|
| 🔹 Species
|
C. casuarius
|
E. regalis
|
H. stebingeri
|
L. magnicristatus
|
| 🔹 Diet
|
Pine needles, twigs, ancient fruits
|
Conifer needles, bark, broad leaves
|
High-fiber ferns, tree leaves
|
Tough land plants, shrubs, twigs
|
| 🔹 Epoch / Stage / Years
|
Late Cretaceous (~76.5 Ma)
|
Late Cretaceous (~72–71 Ma)
|
Late Cretaceous (~75 Ma)
|
Late Cretaceous (~75.5 Ma)
|
| 🔹 Origin (Franchise)
|
Jurassic Park III, JWE2
|
Jurassic World (Website background)
|
Walking with Dinosaurs (Movie)
|
Jurassic Park: Operation Genesis
|
| 🔹 Estimated L & H
|
L: 9m, H: 2.8m
|
L: 12m, H: 3.5 meters
|
L: 9m, H: 3.0m
|
L: 9.1m, H: 3.1m
|
| 🔹 Weight
|
3.8 – 4 metric tons
|
4 – 5.6 metric tons
|
4 metric tons
|
4 metric tons
|
| 🔹 Collected
|
Complete skeletons with soft skin wraps
|
Mummified specimens with hoof pads
|
Extensive nesting grounds with embryos
|
Pristine skulls showing giant crest lines
|
| 🔹 Status / Author / Year
|
Valid; Brown, 1914
|
Valid; Lambe, 1917
|
Valid; Horner, 1994
|
Valid; Sternberg, 1935
|
| 🔹 Area / Locality
|
Red Deer River, Alberta, Canada / Niobrara County, Wyoming, USA
|
Red Deer River, Alberta, Canada / Niobrara County, Wyoming, USA
|
Glacier County, Montana, USA
|
Red Deer River, Alberta, Canada
|
| 🔹 Brian's Comments
|
The large, rounded crest was hollow, wired straight into the nasal channels to hoot.
|
Recent mummies reveal a fleshy, rooster-like comb completely hidden from the skull bone.
|
Nesting sites preserve fossilized egg clusters alongside beautifully intact hatchling skeletons.
|
The spectacular crest forward-jutting design was likely highly vibrant in color.
|
Part 2 - High Speakers & True Giants
| Profile Field
|
Maiasaura peeblesorum
|
Parasaurolophus walkeri
|
Saurolophus osborni
|
Shantungosaurus giganteus
|
Tsintaosaurus spinorhinus
|
| Scientific Name
|
Maiasaura peeblesorum
|
Parasaurolophus walkeri
|
Saurolophus osborni
|
Shantungosaurus giganteus
|
Tsintaosaurus spinorhinus
|
| Size
|
9 meters (30 ft) long
|
9.5 – 10 meters long
|
8.5 – 9.8 meters long
|
15 – 16.6 meters long
|
8.3 meters (27 ft) long
|
| Diet
|
Herbivore
|
Herbivore (High speaker)
|
Herbivore
|
Herbivore (Colossal scale)
|
Herbivore
|
| Habitat
|
Semi-arid upland floodplains
|
Sub-tropical forest channels
|
River delta plains, lakeshores
|
Coastal river plain valleys
|
Semi-arid open floodbasins
|
| Where Found / Formation
|
Montana, USA; Two Medicine
|
Alberta, Canada; Dinosaur Park
|
Alberta, Canada; Horseshoe Canyon
|
Shandong, China; Wangshi Group
|
Shandong, China; Wangshi Group
|
| Time
|
Late Cretaceous (Campanian)
|
Late Cretaceous (Campanian)
|
Late Cretaceous (Maastrichtian)
|
Late Cretaceous (Campanian)
|
Late Cretaceous (Campanian)
|
| Related Genera
|
Brachylophosaurus
|
Charonosaurus, Blasisaurus
|
Prosaurolophus, Augustynolophus
|
Edmontosaurus, Kerberosaurus
|
Pararhabdodon, Jaxartosaurus
|
| Chart Table Data
|
|
|
|
|
|
| 🔹 Meaning
|
"Good mother lizard, Peebles"
|
"Near crested lizard honoring Walker"
|
"Lizard crest honoring Henry Osborn"
|
"Shandong Province giant lizard"
|
"Qingdao lizard with a nose spine"
|
| 🔹 Species
|
M. peeblesorum
|
P. walkeri
|
S. osborni
|
S. giganteus
|
T. spinorhinus
|
| 🔹 Diet
|
Ferns, rotting wood, soft leaves
|
Conifer needles, twigs, leaves
|
Broad leaves, pine needles, shrubs
|
Massive bulk tree limbs, flora
|
Soft leaves, lakeside shrubs
|
| 🔹 Epoch / Stage / Years
|
Late Cretaceous (~76 Ma)
|
Late Cretaceous (~76.5 Ma)
|
Late Cretaceous (~70–68 Ma)
|
Late Cretaceous (~73 Ma)
|
Late Cretaceous (~72 Ma)
|
| 🔹 Origin (Franchise)
|
Jurassic Park (Novel herd star)
|
Lost World: Jurassic Park, JWE2
|
Early American Museum displays
|
Primal Carnage, JWE2
|
Dinosaur King, Paleoart circles
|
| 🔹 Estimated L & H
|
L: 9m, H: 2.5m
|
L: 9.8m, H: 2.8 meters
|
L: 9.2m, H: 2.6m
|
L: 15.5m, H: 5.5 meters
|
L: 8.3m, H: 2.7m
|
| 🔹 Weight
|
3 – 4 metric tons
|
2.5 – 3.5 metric tons
|
3 metric tons
|
13 – 16 metric tons
|
3 metric tons
|
| 🔹 Collected
|
Complete "Egg Mountain" colony
|
Near-perfect skull, partial skeleton
|
Complete skeletons, soft skin paths
|
Massive multi-individual bonebeds
|
Skulls showing unique horn spines
|
| 🔹 Status / Author / Year
|
Valid; Horner & Makela, 1979
|
Valid; Parks, 1922
|
Valid; Brown, 1912
|
Valid; Hu, 1973
|
Valid; Young, 1958
|
| 🔹 Area / Locality
|
Choteau, Montana, USA
|
Red Deer River, Alberta, Canada
|
Red Deer River, Alberta, Canada
|
Zhucheng City, Shandong, China
|
Laiyang, Shandong Province, China
|
| 🔹 Brian's Comments
|
The breakthrough species that conclusively proved dinosaurs built nests and cared for helpless young.
|
The signature 1.8-meter tube crest could generate deep, foghorn-like acoustic signals across long distances.
|
Possessed a solid, backward-pointing bony spine that anchored a large inflatable nose sac balloon.
|
The largest known non-sauropod dinosaur in the fossil record, surpassing many sauropods in total weight.
|
Pop culture long depicted its horn as a straight unicorn spike; we now know it supported a hollow skin crest.
|
🪖 Family Pachycephalosauridae (Bone-Headed Dinosaurs)
Part 1 - Basal & Flat-Headed Morphs
| Profile Field
|
Goyocephale lattimorei
|
Homalocephale calathocercos
|
Wannanosaurus yansiensis
|
| Scientific Name
|
Goyocephale lattimorei
|
Homalocephale calathocercos
|
Wannanosaurus yansiensis
|
| Size
|
2 meters (6.5 ft) long
|
1.8 meters (6 ft) long
|
0.6 meters (2 ft) long
|
| Diet
|
Herbivore / Omnivore
|
Herbivore / Omnivore
|
Herbivore / Omnivore
|
| Habitat
|
Semi-arid highland scrub, floodplains
|
Arid desert oases, sand dunes
|
Subtropical open coastal woodlands
|
| Where Found / Formation
|
Mongolia; Baruungoyot Formation
|
Mongolia; Nemegt Formation
|
Anhui, China; Xiaoxiong Formation
|
| Time
|
Late Cretaceous (Campanian, ~75 Ma)
|
Late Cretaceous (Late Maastrichtian)
|
Late Cretaceous (Campanian, ~72 Ma)
|
| Related Genera
|
Homalocephale, Prenocephale
|
Goyocephale, Wannanosaurus
|
Homalocephale, Colepiocephale
|
| Chart Table Data
|
|
|
|
| 🔹 Meaning
|
"Elegant head honoring Owen Lattimore"
|
"Even/flat head with a basket tail"
|
"Wannano lizard from Yansi"
|
| 🔹 Species
|
G. lattimorei
|
H. calathocercos
|
W. yansiensis
|
| 🔹 Diet
|
Coarse leaves, seeds, insects
|
Tough desert brush, roots, small seeds
|
Soft leaves, low-growing herbs, insects
|
| 🔹 Epoch / Stage / Years
|
Late Cretaceous (Campanian)
|
Late Cretaceous (~70 Ma)
|
Late Cretaceous (Campanian)
|
| 🔹 Origin (Franchise)
|
Jurassic World Evolution 2
|
Jurassic Park: Operation Genesis, JWE2
|
Early Asian pachycephalosaur monographs
|
| 🔹 Estimated L & H
|
L: 2m, H: 0.6m
|
L: 1.8m, H: 0.55m
|
L: 0.6m, H: 0.22m
|
| 🔹 Weight
|
10 – 18 kg
|
40 kg
|
1.5 kg
|
| 🔹 Collected
|
Partial skull, jaw, fragmented postcrania
|
Exquisite flat skull, highly wide pelvis
|
Fragmentary tiny skull roof, partial femur
|
| 🔹 Status / Author / Year
|
Valid; Perle et al., 1982
|
Valid; Maryańska & Osmólska, 1974
|
Valid; Hou, 1977
|
| 🔹 Area / Locality
|
Ömnögovi Province, Gobi Desert, Mongolia
|
Nemegt Basin, Gobi Desert, Mongolia
|
Yansi, Wanning County, Anhui, China
|
| 🔹 Brian's Comments
|
The flat, highly textured skull indicates that dome-headedness wasn't universal across this lineage.
|
Possessed a remarkably wide hip structure, pointing to either live-birth traits or heavy gut fermentation.
|
Remains one of the smallest non-avian dinosaur specimens ever found in Asia; likely a juvenile.
|
Part 2 - The Hell Creek Growth Series (The Pachycephalosaurus Conundrum)
| Profile Field
|
Dracorex hogwartsia
|
Stygimoloch spinifer
|
Pachycephalosaurus wyomingensis
|
Prenocephale prenes
|
| Scientific Name
|
Dracorex hogwartsia
|
Stygimoloch spinifer
|
Pachycephalosaurus wyomingensis
|
Prenocephale prenes
|
| Size
|
3 meters (10 ft) long
|
3 meters (10 ft) long
|
4.5 meters (15 ft) long
|
2.4 meters (8 ft) long
|
| Diet
|
Herbivore
|
Herbivore
|
Herbivore / Omnivore
|
Herbivore
|
| Habitat
|
Open coastal plains, flood basins
|
River forest channels, plains
|
Forested floodplains, valley slopes
|
Subtropical upland pine forests
|
| Where Found / Formation
|
SD, USA; Hell Creek Formation
|
MT, WY, USA; Hell Creek Formation
|
WY, MT, SD, USA; Hell Creek
|
Mongolia; Nemegt Formation
|
| Time
|
Late Cretaceous (Late Maastrichtian)
|
Late Cretaceous (Late Maastrichtian)
|
Late Cretaceous (Late Maastrichtian)
|
Late Cretaceous (Late Maastrichtian)
|
| Related Genera
|
Stygimoloch, Pachycephalosaurus
|
Dracorex, Pachycephalosaurus
|
Alaskacephale, Sphaerotholus
|
Tylocephale, Foraminacephale
|
| Chart Table Data
|
|
|
|
|
| 🔹 Meaning
|
"Dragon king of Hogwarts"
|
"Spiked demon from the River Styx"
|
"Thick-headed lizard from Wyoming"
|
"Sloping head, prominent"
|
| 🔹 Species
|
D. hogwartsia
|
S. spinifer
|
P. wyomingensis
|
P. prenes
|
| 🔹 Diet
|
Tough shrubs, ferns, low seeds
|
Fibrous land plants, roots, berries
|
Leaves, seeds, fruits, insects
|
Broad leaves, low-lying upland brush
|
| 🔹 Epoch / Stage / Years
|
Late Cretaceous (~67–66 Ma)
|
Late Cretaceous (~67–66 Ma)
|
Late Cretaceous (~68–66 Ma)
|
Late Cretaceous (~70 Ma)
|
| 🔹 Origin (Franchise)
|
Universal Studios (Naming event), JWE2
|
Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom, JWE2
|
The quintessential classic "Dome-head" face
|
Dino Dan, Walking with Dinosaurs games
|
| 🔹 Estimated L & H
|
L: 3m, H: 0.9m
|
L: 3m, H: 1.0m
|
L: 4.5m, H: 1.5 meters
|
L: 2.4m, H: 0.8m
|
| 🔹 Weight
|
100 kg
|
150 kg
|
450 kg
|
130 kg
|
| 🔹 Collected
|
Single near-perfect uncrusted flat skull
|
Multiple spiked skulls, partial skeletons
|
Dozens of massive, solid bone domes
|
Spectacular, highly complete smooth skull
|
| 🔹 Status / Author / Year
|
Disputed (Synonym of Pachycephalosaurus)
|
Disputed (Synonym of Pachycephalosaurus)
|
Valid; Brown & Schlaikjer, 1943
|
Valid; Maryańska & Osmólska, 1974
|
| 🔹 Area / Locality
|
Corson County, South Dakota, USA
|
McCone County, Montana, USA
|
Niobrara County, Wyoming, USA
|
Nemegt Basin, Gobi Desert, Mongolia
|
| 🔹 Brian's Comments
|
Modern bone analysis shows it lacked growth rings; it's a juvenile Pachycephalosaurus before its dome inflated.
|
Now widely accepted as the sub-adult growth stage of Pachycephalosaurus, where horns peaked before reabsorbing.
|
The massive, solid 22cm thick skull dome was actively remodeled throughout its lifespan.
|
Boasted a rounder, more sloping dome compared to its American cousins, laced with specialized nose chambers.
|
🦜 Family Psittacosauridae & Protoceratopidae (Basal Beaked Dinosaurs)
Family Psittacosauridae & Basal Protoceratopidae
| Profile Field
|
Psittacosaurus meileyingensis
|
Auroraceratops rugosus
|
Bagaceratops rozhdestvenskyi
|
| Scientific Name
|
Psittacosaurus meileyingensis
|
Auroraceratops rugosus
|
Bagaceratops rozhdestvenskyi
|
| Size
|
2 meters (6.5 ft) long
|
1.25 meters (4 ft) long
|
1 meter (3.3 ft) long
|
| Diet
|
Herbivore (Nut specialist)
|
Herbivore
|
Herbivore
|
| Habitat
|
Seasonal temperate forest lakes
|
Intermontane arid basins, oases
|
Arid desert plains, shifting dunes
|
| Where Found / Formation
|
Liaoning, China; Jiufotang Formation
|
Gansu, China; Xinminbao Group
|
Mongolia; Baruungoyot Formation
|
| Time
|
Early Cretaceous (Aptian, ~120 Ma)
|
Early Cretaceous (Aptian, ~115 Ma)
|
Late Cretaceous (Campanian, ~75 Ma)
|
| Related Genera
|
Hongshanosaurus, Yinlong
|
Archaeoceratops, Liaoceratops
|
Protoceratops, Breviceratops
|
| Chart Table Data
|
|
|
|
| 🔹 Meaning
|
"Parrot lizard from Meileyingzi"
|
"Dawn horned face, heavily wrinkled"
|
"Small horned face honoring Rozhdestvensky"
|
| 🔹 Species
|
P. meileyingensis
|
A. rugosus
|
B. rozhdestvenskyi
|
| 🔹 Diet
|
Tough seed cones, nuts, cycad stalks
|
Fibrous lake-side roots, low vegetation
|
Desert shrubs, tough ground-level leaves
|
| 🔹 Epoch / Stage / Years
|
Early Cretaceous (Aptian)
|
Early Cretaceous (~115 Ma)
|
Late Cretaceous (Campanian)
|
| 🔹 Origin (Franchise)
|
Prehistoric Planet, Fossil textbooks
|
Early 2000s Asian horned dinosaur papers
|
Gobi Desert discovery expedition records
|
| 🔹 Estimated L & H
|
L: 2m, H: 0.6m
|
L: 1.25m, H: 0.4m
|
L: 1m, H: 0.35m
|
| 🔹 Weight
|
30 kg
|
15 kg
|
22 kg
|
| 🔹 Collected
|
Complete articulated skulls & skeletons
|
~80 distinct individuals, pristine skeletons
|
Over 20 pristine, small-scale skulls
|
| 🔹 Status / Author / Year
|
Valid; Sereno et al., 1988
|
Valid; You et al., 2005
|
Valid; Maryańska & Osmólska, 1975
|
| 🔹 Area / Locality
|
Chaoyang City, Liaoning Province, China
|
Mazongshan area, Gansu Province, China
|
Hermiin Tsav, Gobi Desert, Mongolia
|
| 🔹 Brian's Comments
|
Wore a highly unique set of defensive flared cheek horns alongside a deep, crushing parrot beak.
|
The rugose, wrinkled jaw joints were likely anchored to massive muscular chewing blocks.
|
Lacked a distinct frill opening, instead forming a thick, solid shield to protect its short neck.
|
Advanced Family Protoceratopidae & Basal Ceratopia
| Profile Field
|
Leptoceratops gracilis
|
Microceratus gobiensis
|
Montanoceratops cerorhynchus
|
Protoceratops hellenikorhinus
|
| Scientific Name
|
Leptoceratops gracilis
|
Microceratus gobiensis
|
Montanoceratops cerorhynchus
|
Protoceratops hellenikorhinus
|
| Size
|
2 meters (6.5 ft) long
|
0.6 meters (2 ft) long
|
3 meters (10 ft) long
|
2 – 2.5 meters (6.5–8 ft) long
|
| Diet
|
Herbivore
|
Herbivore
|
Herbivore
|
Herbivore
|
| Habitat
|
Forested semi-arid floodplains
|
Arid scrub deserts, wind dunes
|
Open upland valleys, parklands
|
Sandy desert oases, dune lines
|
| Where Found / Formation
|
Alberta, Canada; Scollard Formation
|
Mongolia; Djadochta Formation
|
Montana, USA; St. Mary River
|
Mongolia; Bayan Mandahu Formation
|
| Time
|
Late Cretaceous (Late Maastrichtian)
|
Late Cretaceous (Campanian, ~75 Ma)
|
Late Cretaceous (Late Maastrichtian)
|
Late Cretaceous (Campanian, ~72 Ma)
|
| Related Genera
|
Udanoceratops, Prenoceratops
|
Graciliceratops, Albalophosaurus
|
Leptoceratops, Cerasinops
|
P. andrewsi, Bagaceratops
|
| Chart Table Data
|
|
|
|
|
| 🔹 Meaning
|
"Slender small horned face, elegant"
|
"Tiny horned beast from the Gobi"
|
"Montana horned face, horn-nosed"
|
"First horned face, Greek-nosed"
|
| 🔹 Species
|
L. gracilis
|
M. gobiensis
|
M. cerorhynchus
|
P. hellenikorhinus
|
| 🔹 Diet
|
Tough low ferns, cycad branches
|
Small desert leaves, low seed pods
|
Conifer needles, tough river shrubs
|
Low fibrous desert flora, roots
|
| 🔹 Epoch / Stage / Years
|
Late Cretaceous (~66 Ma)
|
Late Cretaceous (Campanian)
|
Late Cretaceous (~67 Ma)
|
Late Cretaceous (Campanian)
|
| 🔹 Origin (Franchise)
|
Early North American ceratopsian texts
|
Jurassic World (Novel name change token)
|
Prehistoric Kingdom, Paleoart circles
|
Gobi Desert systematic revisions
|
| 🔹 Estimated L & H
|
L: 2m, H: 0.75m
|
L: 0.6m, H: 0.25m
|
L: 3m, H: 1.0m
|
L: 2.2m, H: 0.85 meters
|
| 🔹 Weight
|
100 – 150 kg
|
4 – 5 kg
|
170 kg
|
200 – 300 kg
|
| 🔹 Collected
|
Near-complete skeletons lacking tails
|
Limited fragmentary jaw and limb segments
|
Incomplete skeleton with a pristine skull
|
Multiple robust skulls showing double crests
|
| 🔹 Status / Author / Year
|
Valid; Brown, 1914
|
Valid; Mateus, 2008
|
Valid; Sternberg, 1951
|
Valid; Lambert et al., 2001
|
| 🔹 Area / Locality
|
Red Deer River, Alberta, Canada
|
Gobi Desert, Inner Mongolia, China
|
Glacier County, Montana, USA
|
Bayan Mandahu, Inner Mongolia, China
|
| 🔹 Brian's Comments
|
Lived right up to the asteroid impact, completely independent of the giant horn ceratopsians.
|
Renamed from Microceratops in 2008 after discovering the name was already taken by a wasp.
|
Wore a distinct nasal horn ridge that bridged primitive morphs with giant quadrupedal lines.
|
Sharply split from P. andrewsi by an ornate, dual-flanged ridge along its nose.
|
🛡️ Family Ceratopsidae (True Giant Horned Dinosaurs)
Part 1 - Centrosaurinae (Short-Frilled, Large-Nosed Morphs)
| Profile Field
|
Centrosaurus apertus
|
Lokiceratops rangiformis
|
Nasutoceratops titusi
|
Pachyrhinosaurus lakustai
|
Sinoceratops zhuchengensis
|
Styracosaurus ovatus (Spinops)
|
| Scientific Name
|
Centrosaurus apertus
|
Lokiceratops rangiformis
|
Nasutoceratops titusi
|
Pachyrhinosaurus lakustai
|
Sinoceratops zhuchengensis
|
Styracosaurus ovatus
|
| Size
|
5.5 – 6 meters long
|
6.7 meters (22 ft) long
|
4.5 – 5 meters long
|
6 – 7 meters long
|
6 meters (20 ft) long
|
5.5 meters (18 ft) long
|
| Diet
|
Herbivore
|
Herbivore
|
Herbivore
|
Herbivore
|
Herbivore
|
Herbivore
|
| Habitat
|
Coastal swamps, marshes
|
Subtropical coastal plains
|
Coastal swamp estuaries
|
Semi-arid coastal lagoons
|
Coastal river valleys
|
Inland floodplain woods
|
| Where Found / Formation
|
Alberta; Dinosaur Park
|
Montana, USA; Judith River
|
Utah; Kaiparowits Formation
|
Alberta; Wapiti Formation / Montana, USA; Hell Creek Formation
|
Shandong; Wangshi Group
|
Montana; Two Medicine
|
| Time
|
Late Cretaceous (Campanian)
|
Late Cretaceous (Campanian, ~78 Ma)
|
Late Cretaceous (Campanian, ~75 Ma)
|
Late Cretaceous (Campanian, ~73 Ma)
|
Late Cretaceous (Campanian, ~73 Ma)
|
Late Cretaceous (Campanian, ~75 Ma)
|
| Related Genera
|
Monoclonius, Styracosaurus
|
Medusaceratops, Albertaceratops
|
Avaceratops, Yehuecauhceratops
|
Achelousaurus, Einiosaurus
|
Wendiceratops, Albertaceratops
|
Rubeosaurus, Centrosaurus
|
| Chart Table Data
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| 🔹 Meaning
|
"Pointed lizard, uncovered"
|
"Loki's horned face like a caribou"
|
"Large-nosed horned face, Titus's"
|
"Thick-nosed lizard, Lakusta's"
|
"Chinese horned face from Zhucheng"
|
"Spiked lizard, oval"
|
| 🔹 Species
|
C. apertus
|
L. rangiformis
|
N. titusi
|
P. lakustai
|
Subadult holotype elements
|
S. ovatus
|
| 🔹 Diet
|
Tough ferns, low shrubs
|
Low fibrous plants, cycads
|
High-fiber woody plants, reeds
|
Fibrous cycads, woody river brush
|
Coarse regional tree bark, leaves
|
Low ground ferns, palm leaves
|
| 🔹 Epoch / Stage / Years
|
Late Cretaceous (~76.5 Ma)
|
Late Cretaceous (~78 Ma)
|
Late Cretaceous (~75.5 Ma)
|
Late Cretaceous (~73.5 Ma)
|
Late Cretaceous (~73 Ma)
|
Late Cretaceous (~75 Ma)
|
| 🔹 Origin (Franchise)
|
Disney's Dinosaur, JWE2
|
Newly named in 2024
|
Jurassic World Evolution 2
|
Walking with Dinosaurs (Movie)
|
Jurassic World Fallen Kingdom, JWE2
|
Dinosaur King, JWE2
|
| 🔹 Estimated L & H
|
L: 5.5m, H: 2.1m
|
L: 6.7m, H: 2.4 meters
|
L: 4.8m, H: 1.9m
|
L: 6m, H: 2.3 meters
|
L: 6m, H: 2.2m
|
L: 5.5m, H: 2.0m
|
| 🔹 Weight
|
2.3 metric tons
|
5 metric tons
|
1.5 metric tons
|
3 – 4 metric tons
|
2 metric tons
|
2.5 metric tons
|
| 🔹 Collected
|
Massive multi-individual bonebeds
|
Exquisite partial skull, frill spikes
|
Near-complete pristine skull, limbs
|
Massive bonebeds of 1,000+ monsters
|
Massive partial jaw and frill bits
|
Incomplete skull, massive frill hooks
|
| 🔹 Status / Author / Year
|
Valid; Lambe, 1904
|
Valid; Loewen et al., 2024
|
Valid; Sampson et al., 2013
|
Valid; Fiorillo & Tykoski, 2012
|
Valid; Xu et al., 2010
|
Valid; Gilmore, 1930 [1]
|
| 🔹 Area / Locality
|
Red Deer River, Alberta
|
Blaine County, Montana, USA
|
Garfield County, Utah, USA
|
Pipestone Creek, Alberta, Canada / Niobrara County, Wyoming, USA
|
Zhucheng City, Shandong, China
|
Blackfeet Reservation, Montana
|
| 🔹 Brian's Comments
|
Massive bonebeds tell us that entire migrating herds were wiped out at river crossings.
|
Discovered in 2024, it carries massive, curved blade-like frill horns mimicking the Norse god's helmet. [2]
|
Wore completely unique forward-curved horns that look remarkably like modern cattle.
|
Replaced standard brow horns with a massive, solid flat bone boss used for head-shoving battles.
|
The first valid large-scale long-horn ceratopsian ever discovered in Asia.
|
Recent re-evaluations consolidate S. ovatus away from Rubeosaurus back into classic Styracosaurus.
|
Part 2 - Chasmosaurinae (Long-Frilled, Large-Brow Horn Morphs)
| Profile Field
|
Chasmosaurus belli
|
Torosaurus latus
|
Triceratops horridus
|
| Scientific Name
|
Chasmosaurus belli
|
Torosaurus latus
|
Triceratops horridus
|
| Size
|
4.5 – 5 meters (15–16 ft) long
|
7.5 – 8 meters (25–26 ft) long
|
8 – 9 meters (26–30 ft) long
|
| Diet
|
Herbivore
|
Herbivore
|
Herbivore (Low ground specialist)
|
| Habitat
|
Low floodplains, delta swamp forests
|
Open coastal plains, meadows
|
Coastlines, forested river channels
|
| Where Found / Formation
|
Alberta, Canada; Dinosaur Park
|
WY, MT, SD, USA; Hell Creek
|
WY, MT, SD, USA; Hell Creek Formation
|
| Time
|
Late Cretaceous (Campanian, ~76 Ma)
|
Late Cretaceous (Late Maastrichtian)
|
Late Cretaceous (Late Maastrichtian)
|
| Related Genera
|
Vagaceratops, Mojoceratops
|
Triceratops, Nedoceratops
|
Torosaurus, Eotriceratops
|
| Chart Table Data
|
|
|
|
| 🔹 Meaning
|
"Opening lizard honoring Walter Bell"
|
"Perforated lizard, wide-built"
|
"Three-horned face, roughened/horrid"
|
| 🔹 Species
|
C. belli
|
T. latus
|
T. horridus
|
| 🔹 Diet
|
High-fiber ferns, shrubs, low brush
|
Tough ground brush, cycads, bark
|
Fibrous palms, cycads, woody branches
|
| 🔹 Epoch / Stage / Years
|
Late Cretaceous (~76.5 Ma)
|
Late Cretaceous (~68–66 Ma)
|
Late Cretaceous (~68–66 Ma)
|
| 🔹 Origin (Franchise)
|
Jurassic Park: Operation Genesis, JWE2
|
Walking with Dinosaurs, JWE2
|
The global undisputed giant king of ceratopsians
|
| 🔹 Estimated L & H
|
L: 4.8m, H: 1.7m
|
L: 7.8m, H: 2.5 meters
|
L: 8.5m, H: 2.9 meters
|
| 🔹 Weight
|
2 metric tons
|
6 metric tons
|
6 – 10 metric tons
|
| 🔹 Collected
|
Complete skin impression mummies, skulls
|
Immense skulls over 2.7 meters long
|
Hundreds of robust skulls, partial skeletons
|
| 🔹 Status / Author / Year
|
Valid; Lambe, 1914
|
Valid; Marsh, 1891
|
Valid; Marsh, 1889
|
| 🔹 Area / Locality
|
Red Deer River, Alberta, Canada
|
Niobrara County, Wyoming, USA
|
Weston County, Wyoming, USA
|
| 🔹 Brian's Comments
|
The expansive bone frill was completely hollowed out by large windows, likely purely for skin color displays.
|
Carried one of the largest skulls of any land animal in history, lanced with deep frill fenestrae.
|
The massive bone frill was completely solid, built as a true heavy shield against the bite of T. rex.
|
🛡️ Suborder Thyreophora & Infraorder Stegosauria (Plated Dinosaurs)
Family Stegosauridae (Part 1 - Afro-Eurasian Spiked Morphs)
| Profile Field
|
Chungkingosaurus jiangbeiensis
|
Gigantspinosaurus sichuanensis
|
Kentrosaurus aethiopicus
|
Miragaia longicollum
|
| Scientific Name
|
Chungkingosaurus jiangbeiensis
|
Gigantspinosaurus sichuanensis
|
Kentrosaurus aethiopicus
|
Miragaia longicollum
|
| Size
|
3 – 4 meters (10–13 ft) long
|
4.2 meters (14 ft) long
|
4.5 meters (15 ft) long
|
5.5 – 6.5 meters (18–21 ft) long
|
| Diet
|
Herbivore (Low browser)
|
Herbivore (Low browser)
|
Herbivore (Low-to-mid browser)
|
Herbivore (High-reach browser)
|
| Habitat
|
Dense subtropical river plains
|
Lush inland river basins, forests
|
Semi-arid coastal shrublands
|
Subtropical coastal delta forests
|
| Where Found / Formation
|
China; Upper Shaximiao Formation
|
China; Upper Shaximiao Formation
|
Tanzania; Tendaguru Formation
|
Portugal; Lourinhã Formation
|
| Time
|
Late Jurassic (Oxfordian, ~160 Ma)
|
Late Jurassic (Oxfordian, ~160 Ma)
|
Late Jurassic (Kimmeridgian–Tithonian)
|
Late Jurassic (Kimmeridgian–Tithonian)
|
| Related Genera
|
Tuojiangosaurus, Chialingosaurus
|
Tuojiangosaurus, Huayangosaurus
|
Stegosaurus, Lexovisaurus
|
Dacentrurus, Alcovasaurus
|
| Chart Table Data
|
|
|
|
|
| 🔹 Meaning
|
"Chongqing lizard from Jiangbei"
|
"Giant-spined lizard from Sichuan"
|
"Prickly lizard from Ethiopia/Africa"
|
"Miragaia beautiful giant with long neck"
|
| 🔹 Species
|
C. jiangbeiensis
|
G. sichuanensis
|
K. aethiopicus
|
M. longicollum
|
| 🔹 Diet
|
Soft ferns, cycads, low mosses
|
Ground ferns, cycad stalks
|
Tough woody shrubs, seed ferns
|
Mid-tier conifers, cycads, tree fern fronds
|
| 🔹 Epoch / Stage / Years
|
Late Jurassic (Oxfordian)
|
Late Jurassic (Oxfordian)
|
Late Jurassic (~152 Ma)
|
Late Jurassic (~150 Ma)
|
| 🔹 Origin (Franchise)
|
Jurassic World Evolution 2
|
Early Chinese stegosaur monographs
|
Jurassic Park: Operation Genesis, JWE2
|
Dinosaur Revolution, Paleoart circles
|
| 🔹 Estimated L & H
|
L: 3.5m, H: 1.1m
|
L: 4.2m, H: 1.4m
|
L: 4.5m, H: 1.6m
|
L: 6m, H: 2.1 meters
|
| 🔹 Weight
|
500 – 700 kg
|
700 kg
|
700 – 1,100 kg
|
2 metric tons
|
| 🔹 Collected
|
Three partial skeletons, skulls
|
Articulated skeleton with skin impressions
|
Hundreds of bones from a bonebed site
|
Near-complete skeleton lacking back half
|
| 🔹 Status / Author / Year
|
Valid; Dong et al., 1983
|
Valid; Ouyang, 1992
|
Valid; Hennig, 1915
|
Valid; Mateus et al., 2009
|
| 🔹 Area / Locality
|
Chongqing City, Sichuan, China
|
Zigong, Sichuan Province, China
|
Lindi Region, Tendaguru, Tanzania
|
Lourinhã Municipality, Portugal
|
| 🔹 Brian's Comments
|
The smallest stegosaur found in the Shaximiao beds; it sported deep, blocky plates.
|
Wore truly astronomical shoulder spines that flared outward like a pair of wings.
|
A highly localized defensive fighter with plates along the neck that gave way to spikes over the hips.
|
Broke all stegosaur rules with a sauropod-like long neck built of 17 cervical vertebrae.
|
Family Stegosauridae (Part 2) & Family Scelidosauridae
| Profile Field
|
Stegosaurus stenops
|
Tuojiangosaurus multispinus
|
Scelidosaurus harrisonii
|
| Scientific Name
|
Stegosaurus stenops
|
Tuojiangosaurus multispinus
|
Scelidosaurus harrisonii
|
| Size
|
7 – 9 meters (23–30 ft) long
|
7 meters (23 ft) long
|
4 meters (13 ft) long
|
| Diet
|
Herbivore (Low ground browser)
|
Herbivore (Low ground browser)
|
Herbivore (Low ground browser)
|
| Habitat
|
Semi-arid open savannas, valleys
|
Subtropical forested floodplains
|
Coastal beach margins, marine margins
|
| Where Found / Formation
|
Western USA; Morrison Formation
|
China; Upper Shaximiao Formation
|
England; Charmouth Mudstone Formation
|
| Time
|
Late Jurassic (Kimmeridgian–Tithonian)
|
Late Jurassic (Oxfordian, ~160 Ma)
|
Early Jurassic (Sinemurian–Pliensbachian)
|
| Related Genera
|
S. sulcatus, Hesperosaurus
|
Chungkingosaurus, Kentrosaurus
|
Emausaurus, Scutellosaurus
|
| Chart Table Data
|
|
|
|
| 🔹 Meaning
|
"Roof/covered lizard, narrow-faced"
|
"Tuo River lizard with many spikes"
|
"Limb lizard honoring James Harrison"
|
| 🔹 Species
|
S. stenops
|
T. multispinus
|
Scelidosaurus harrisonii
|
| 🔹 Diet
|
Low horsetails, ferns, club mosses
|
Soft ground vegetation, ferns
|
Early Jurassic ground ferns, cycads
|
| 🔹 Epoch / Stage / Years
|
Late Jurassic (~155–150 Ma)
|
Late Jurassic (Oxfordian)
|
Early Jurassic (~191 Ma)
|
| 🔹 Origin (Franchise)
|
The classic globally recognizable titan of Jurassic Park
|
Dinosaur King, Early Asian display replicas
|
Classic English evolutionary texts
|
| 🔹 Estimated L & H
|
L: 8m, H: 4 meters (Plate peaks)
|
L: 7m, H: 2.2 meters (Thagomizer tip)
|
L: 4m, H: 1.1m
|
| 🔹 Weight
|
4 – 5.3 metric tons
|
2.8 metric tons
|
270 kg
|
| 🔹 Collected
|
Dozens of exquisite complete mummies, skulls
|
Two near-perfect complete skeletons, skulls
|
Complete, perfectly articulated skeletons
|
| 🔹 Status / Author / Year
|
Valid; Marsh, 1887
|
Valid; Dong et al., 1977
|
Valid; Owen, 1859
|
| 🔹 Area / Locality
|
Cañon City, Fremont County, Colorado, USA
|
Zigong, Sichuan Province, China
|
Charmouth, Dorset, England
|
| 🔹 Brian's Comments
|
The massive vertical plates were highly porous and thin, functioning as billboard visual displays.
|
The primary complete mounted stegosaur skeleton ever displayed to the public in Asia.
|
One of the earliest common ancestors of the entire armored dinosaur lineage.
|
🔨 Infraorder Ankylosauria (Armored Club-Tails & Spiked Shields)
Family Nodosauridae (The Spiked Shields)
| Profile Field
|
Edmontonia rugosidens
|
Gastonia lorriemcwhinneyae
|
Nodosaurus textilis
|
Sauropelta edwardsorum
|
Silvisaurus condrayi
|
Struthiosaurus transylvanicus
|
| Scientific Name
|
Edmontonia rugosidens
|
Gastonia lorriemcwhinneyae
|
Nodosaurus textilis
|
Sauropelta edwardsorum
|
Silvisaurus condrayi
|
Struthiosaurus transylvanicus
|
| Size
|
6 meters (20 ft) long
|
4.5 – 5 meters long
|
4 – 6 meters long
|
5.2 meters (17 ft) long
|
4 meters (13 ft) long
|
2 – 3 meters (6.5–10 ft) long
|
| Diet
|
Herbivore
|
Herbivore
|
Herbivore
|
Herbivore
|
Herbivore
|
Herbivore
|
| Habitat
|
Subtropical wet forests
|
Semi-arid open floodplains
|
Coastal delta floodplains
|
Subtropical marshy lowlands
|
Warm coastal plains, margins
|
European island floodplains
|
| Where Found / Formation
|
Alberta; Dinosaur Park
|
Utah; Cedar Mountain
|
Wyoming; Frontier Formation
|
Montana, WY; Cloverly
|
Kansas; Dakota Formation
|
Romania; Sânpetru Formation
|
| Time
|
Late Cretaceous (Campanian)
|
Early Cretaceous (Barremian)
|
Late Cretaceous (Cenomanian)
|
Early Cretaceous (Albian)
|
Late Cretaceous (Cenomanian)
|
Late Cretaceous (Maastrichtian)
|
| Related Genera
|
Panoplosaurus, Denversaurus
|
Gargoyleosaurus, Polacanthus
|
Sauropelta, Animantarx
|
Silvisaurus, Edmontonia
|
Sauropelta, Pawpawsaurus
|
Hungarosaurus, Anoplosaurus
|
| Chart Table Data
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| 🔹 Meaning
|
"Edmonton shield, wrinkled teeth"
|
"Gaston's shield, McWhinney's"
|
"Knobbed lizard, woven pattern"
|
"Lizard shield honoring Edwards"
|
"Forest lizard honoring Condray"
|
"Ostrich lizard from Transylvania"
|
| 🔹 Species
|
E. rugosidens
|
G. lorriemcwhinneyae
|
N. textilis
|
S. edwardsorum
|
S. condrayi
|
S. transylvanicus
|
| 🔹 Diet
|
Soft ground flora, berries
|
Low ferns, early shrubs
|
Ground mosses, low ferns
|
Tough cycads, low ground ferns
|
Soft coastal herbs, leaves
|
Isolated island shrubs, mosses
|
| 🔹 Epoch / Stage / Years
|
Late Cretaceous (~76 Ma)
|
Early Cretaceous (~125 Ma)
|
Late Cretaceous (~95 Ma)
|
Early Cretaceous (~108 Ma)
|
Late Cretaceous (~100 Ma)
|
Late Cretaceous (~66 Ma)
|
| 🔹 Origin (Franchise)
|
Jurassic Park: Operation Genesis, JWE2
|
Walking with Dinosaurs (BBC book/game)
|
Core foundation textbooks
|
Monsters Resurrected, JWE2
|
Kansas state fossil records
|
Franz Nopcsa's historical monographs
|
| 🔹 Estimated L & H
|
L: 6m, H: 1.6m
|
L: 4.6m, H: 1.2m
|
L: 5m, H: 1.3m
|
L: 5.2m, H: 1.4 meters
|
L: 4m, H: 1.0m
|
L: 2.2m, H: 0.7m
|
| 🔹 Weight
|
3 metric tons
|
1.9 metric tons
|
2 metric tons
|
1.5 metric tons
|
1 metric ton
|
300 – 400 kg
|
| 🔹 Collected
|
Multiple complete skulls, mummies
|
Bonebeds containing thousands of plates
|
Partial skeleton lacking skull elements
|
Exceptionally well-preserved armor mats
|
Single skull, partial skeleton, armor
|
Fragmentary skull roof, armor plates
|
| 🔹 Status / Author / Year
|
Valid; Gilmore, 1930
|
Valid; Kinneer et al., 2016
|
Valid; Marsh, 1889
|
Valid; Ostrom, 1970
|
Valid; Eaton, 1960
|
Valid; Nopcsa, 1915
|
| 🔹 Area / Locality
|
Red Deer River, Alberta
|
Grand County, Utah, USA
|
Albany County, Wyoming, USA
|
Bighorn County, Montana, USA
|
Ottawa County, Kansas, USA
|
Hațeg Island, Transylvania
|
| 🔹 Brian's Comments
|
Fitted with forward-jutting shoulder spines used for fencing with rival males.
|
Separated from G. burgei by subtle arrangements in the pelvic shield plates.
|
The generic namesake of the entire group, yet remains a poorly understood fossil.
|
The massive, mosaic shoulder spikes were locked deep into the skeletal structure.
|
A very primitive North American form that kept standard teeth inside its beak.
|
A textbook example of island dwarfism, shrinking away from giant mainland size.
|
Family Ankylosauridae (The True Club-Tails)
| Profile Field
|
Ankylosaurus magniventris
|
Euoplocephalus tutus
|
Minmi paravertebral
|
Saichania chulsanensis
|
Scolosaurus thronus
|
Tarchia teresae
|
| Scientific Name
|
Ankylosaurus magniventris
|
Euoplocephalus tutus
|
Minmi paravertebral
|
Saichania chulsanensis
|
Scolosaurus thronus
|
Tarchia teresae
|
| Size
|
8 – 10 meters (26–33 ft) long
|
5.5 – 6 meters long
|
2.5 – 3 meters long
|
5.2 meters (17 ft) long
|
5 – 6 meters long
|
5.5 – 6.5 meters long
|
| Diet
|
Herbivore
|
Herbivore (Low browser)
|
Herbivore
|
Herbivore
|
Herbivore
|
Herbivore
|
| Habitat
|
Subtropical forest floodplains
|
Warm coastal floodplains
|
Coastal open forests, lagoons
|
Arid desert oases, dunes
|
Subtropical wet river basins
|
Arid inland river valley beds
|
| Where Found / Formation
|
Western USA; Hell Creek Formation
|
Alberta; Dinosaur Park
|
Queensland; Bungal Formation
|
Mongolia; Barun Goyot
|
Alberta; Dinosaur Park
|
Mongolia; Barun Goyot
|
| Time
|
Late Cretaceous (Late Maastrichtian)
|
Late Cretaceous (Campanian, ~76 Ma)
|
Early Cretaceous (Aptian, ~115 Ma)
|
Late Cretaceous (Campanian, ~75 Ma)
|
Late Cretaceous (Campanian, ~76 Ma)
|
Late Cretaceous (Campanian–Maastrichtian)
|
| Related Genera
|
Anodontosaurus, Scolosaurus
|
Ankylosaurus, Dyoplosaurus
|
Kunbarrasaurus
|
Tarchia, Zaraapelta
|
Euoplocephalus, Ankylosaurus
|
Saichania, Minotaurasaurus
|
| Chart Table Data
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| 🔹 Meaning
|
"Fused lizard with a massive belly"
|
"Well-armored head, safe"
|
"Minmi Crossing, extra bone tracks"
|
"Beautiful one from Chulsan"
|
"Spike lizard from the throne"
|
|
| 🔹 Species
|
A. magniventris
|
E. tutus
|
M. paravertebral
|
S. chulsanensis
|
S. thronus
|
T. teresae
|
| 🔹 Diet
|
Low-lying fibrous ferns, woody brush
|
Ground leaves, tubers, ferns
|
Soft low mosses, lake weeds
|
Tough desert shrubs, roots
|
Low ground ferns, shrubs
|
Fibrous desert scrub, scrub roots
|
| 🔹 Epoch / Stage / Years
|
Late Cretaceous (~68–66 Ma)
|
Late Cretaceous (~76.5 Ma)
|
Early Cretaceous (Aptian)
|
Late Cretaceous (~75 Ma)
|
Late Cretaceous (~76.5 Ma)
|
Late Cretaceous (~72–70 Ma)
|
| 🔹 Origin (Franchise)
|
The legendary ultimate heavy armor icon
|
Jurassic Park: The Game, JWE2
|
Walking with Dinosaurs (BBC game)
|
Dinosaur King, Mesozoic models
|
Standard museum display mounts
|
Early Gobi armored field logs
|
| 🔹 Estimated L & H
|
L: 9m, H: 1.7 meters
|
L: 5.5m, H: 1.4m
|
L: 2.5m, H: 0.75m
|
L: 5.2m, H: 1.5m
|
L: 5.6m, H: 1.4m
|
L: 6m, H: 1.8 meters
|
| 🔹 Weight
|
5 – 8 metric tons
|
2.5 metric tons
|
300 kg
|
2.4 metric tons
|
2.5 metric tons
|
3 metric tons
|
| 🔹 Collected
|
Fragmentary skulls, immense tail clubs
|
Over 40 complete skeletons, skulls
|
Spectacular 3D skeleton with gut contents
|
Pristine articulated skull and armor coat
|
Near-perfect skeleton with skin mats
|
Giant, massive reinforced skulls
|
| 🔹 Status / Author / Year
|
Valid; Brown, 1908
|
Valid; Lambe, 1902
|
Valid; Molnar, 1980
|
Valid; Maryańska, 1977
|
Valid; Nopcsa, 1928
|
Valid; Penkalski, 2016
|
| 🔹 Area / Locality
|
Garfield County, Montana, USA
|
Red Deer River, Alberta, Canada
|
Roma, Queensland, Australia
|
Khermeen Tsav, Gobi Desert
|
Red Deer River, Alberta, Canada
|
Nemegt Basin, Gobi Desert
|
| 🔹 Brian's Comments
|
The tail club was a dense bone block capable of shattering a Tyrannosaurus leg.
|
The eyelids were armored with bony shutters to protect the eyes from predators.
|
Possessed unique, extra bone struts alongside its spine to reinforce its small chassis.
|
The nasal passages were complexly looped to conserve body moisture in arid environments.
|
Long buried under Euoplocephalus until recent reviews restored its unique identity.
|
The largest known Asian ankylosaur, with skull bone structures engineered to absorb heavy blows.
|
🛡️ Suborder Thyreophora & Infraorder Stegosauria (Plated Dinosaurs)
Family Stegosauridae (Part 1 - Afro-Eurasian Spiked Morphs)
| Profile Field
|
Chungkingosaurus jiangbeiensis
|
Gigantspinosaurus sichuanensis
|
Kentrosaurus aethiopicus
|
Miragaia longicollum
|
| Scientific Name
|
Chungkingosaurus jiangbeiensis
|
Gigantspinosaurus sichuanensis
|
Kentrosaurus aethiopicus
|
Miragaia longicollum
|
| Size
|
3 – 4 meters (10–13 ft) long
|
4.2 meters (14 ft) long
|
4.5 meters (15 ft) long
|
5.5 – 6.5 meters (18–21 ft) long
|
| Diet
|
Herbivore (Low browser)
|
Herbivore (Low browser)
|
Herbivore (Low-to-mid browser)
|
Herbivore (High-reach browser)
|
| Habitat
|
Dense subtropical river plains
|
Lush inland river basins, forests
|
Semi-arid coastal shrublands
|
Subtropical coastal delta forests
|
| Where Found / Formation
|
China; Upper Shaximiao Formation
|
China; Upper Shaximiao Formation
|
Tanzania; Tendaguru Formation
|
Portugal; Lourinhã Formation
|
| Time
|
Late Jurassic (Oxfordian, ~160 Ma)
|
Late Jurassic (Oxfordian, ~160 Ma)
|
Late Jurassic (Kimmeridgian–Tithonian)
|
Late Jurassic (Kimmeridgian–Tithonian)
|
| Related Genera
|
Tuojiangosaurus, Chialingosaurus
|
Tuojiangosaurus, Huayangosaurus
|
Stegosaurus, Lexovisaurus
|
Dacentrurus, Alcovasaurus
|
| Chart Table Data
|
|
|
|
|
| 🔹 Meaning
|
"Chongqing lizard from Jiangbei"
|
"Giant-spined lizard from Sichuan"
|
"Prickly lizard from Ethiopia/Africa"
|
"Miragaia beautiful giant with long neck"
|
| 🔹 Species
|
C. jiangbeiensis
|
G. sichuanensis
|
K. aethiopicus
|
M. longicollum
|
| 🔹 Diet
|
Soft ferns, cycads, low mosses
|
Ground ferns, cycad stalks
|
Tough woody shrubs, seed ferns
|
Mid-tier conifers, cycads, tree fern fronds
|
| 🔹 Epoch / Stage / Years
|
Late Jurassic (Oxfordian)
|
Late Jurassic (Oxfordian)
|
Late Jurassic (~152 Ma)
|
Late Jurassic (~150 Ma)
|
| 🔹 Origin (Franchise)
|
Jurassic World Evolution 2
|
Early Chinese stegosaur monographs
|
Jurassic Park: Operation Genesis, JWE2
|
Dinosaur Revolution, Paleoart circles
|
| 🔹 Estimated L & H
|
L: 3.5m, H: 1.1m
|
L: 4.2m, H: 1.4m
|
L: 4.5m, H: 1.6m
|
L: 6m, H: 2.1 meters
|
| 🔹 Weight
|
500 – 700 kg
|
700 kg
|
700 – 1,100 kg
|
2 metric tons
|
| 🔹 Collected
|
Three partial skeletons, skulls
|
Articulated skeleton with skin impressions
|
Hundreds of bones from a bonebed site
|
Near-complete skeleton lacking back half
|
| 🔹 Status / Author / Year
|
Valid; Dong et al., 1983
|
Valid; Ouyang, 1992
|
Valid; Hennig, 1915
|
Valid; Mateus et al., 2009
|
| 🔹 Area / Locality
|
Chongqing City, Sichuan, China
|
Zigong, Sichuan Province, China
|
Lindi Region, Tendaguru, Tanzania
|
Lourinhã Municipality, Portugal
|
| 🔹 Brian's Comments
|
The smallest stegosaur found in the Shaximiao beds; it sported deep, blocky plates.
|
Wore truly astronomical shoulder spines that flared outward like a pair of wings.
|
A highly localized defensive fighter with plates along the neck that gave way to spikes over the hips.
|
Broke all stegosaur rules with a sauropod-like long neck built of 17 cervical vertebrae.
|
Family Stegosauridae (Part 2) & Family Scelidosauridae
| Profile Field
|
Stegosaurus stenops
|
Tuojiangosaurus multispinus
|
Scelidosaurus harrisonii
|
| Scientific Name
|
Stegosaurus stenops
|
Tuojiangosaurus multispinus
|
Scelidosaurus harrisonii
|
| Size
|
7 – 10 meters (23–33 ft) long
|
7 meters (23 ft) long
|
4 meters (13 ft) long
|
| Diet
|
Herbivore (Low ground browser)
|
Herbivore (Low ground browser)
|
Herbivore (Low ground browser)
|
| Habitat
|
Semi-arid open savannas, valleys
|
Subtropical forested floodplains
|
Coastal beach margins, marine margins
|
| Where Found / Formation
|
Western USA; Morrison Formation
|
China; Upper Shaximiao Formation
|
England; Charmouth Mudstone Formation
|
| Time
|
Late Jurassic (Kimmeridgian–Tithonian)
|
Late Jurassic (Oxfordian, ~160 Ma)
|
Early Jurassic (Sinemurian–Pliensbachian)
|
| Related Genera
|
S. sulcatus, Hesperosaurus
|
Chungkingosaurus, Kentrosaurus
|
Emausaurus, Scutellosaurus
|
| Chart Table Data
|
|
|
|
| 🔹 Meaning
|
"Roof/covered lizard, narrow-faced"
|
"Tuo River lizard with many spikes"
|
"Limb lizard honoring James Harrison"
|
| 🔹 Species
|
S. stenops
|
T. multispinus
|
Scelidosaurus harrisonii
|
| 🔹 Diet
|
Low horsetails, ferns, club mosses
|
Soft ground vegetation, ferns
|
Early Jurassic ground ferns, cycads
|
| 🔹 Epoch / Stage / Years
|
Late Jurassic (~155–150 Ma)
|
Late Jurassic (Oxfordian)
|
Early Jurassic (~191 Ma)
|
| 🔹 Origin (Franchise)
|
The classic globally recognizable titan of Jurassic Park
|
Dinosaur King, Early Asian display replicas
|
Classic English evolutionary texts
|
| 🔹 Estimated L & H
|
L: 10m, H: 4 meters (Plate peaks)
|
L: 7m, H: 2.2 meters (Thagomizer tip)
|
L: 4m, H: 1.1m
|
| 🔹 Weight
|
4 – 5.3 metric tons
|
2.8 metric tons
|
270 kg
|
| 🔹 Collected
|
Dozens of exquisite complete mummies, skulls
|
Two near-perfect complete skeletons, skulls
|
Complete, perfectly articulated skeletons
|
| 🔹 Status / Author / Year
|
Valid; Marsh, 1887
|
Valid; Dong et al., 1977
|
Valid; Owen, 1859
|
| 🔹 Area / Locality
|
Cañon City, Fremont County, Colorado, USA
|
Zigong, Sichuan Province, China
|
Charmouth, Dorset, England
|
| 🔹 Brian's Comments
|
The massive vertical plates were highly porous and thin, functioning as billboard visual displays.
|
The primary complete mounted stegosaur skeleton ever displayed to the public in Asia.
|
One of the earliest common ancestors of the entire armored dinosaur lineage.
|
🔨 Infraorder Ankylosauria (Armored Club-Tails & Spiked Shields)
Family Nodosauridae (The Spiked Shields)
| Profile Field
|
Edmontonia rugosidens
|
Gastonia lorriemcwhinneyae
|
Nodosaurus textilis
|
Sauropelta edwardsorum
|
Silvisaurus condrayi
|
Struthiosaurus transylvanicus
|
| Scientific Name
|
Edmontonia rugosidens
|
Gastonia lorriemcwhinneyae
|
Nodosaurus textilis
|
Sauropelta edwardsorum
|
Silvisaurus condrayi
|
Struthiosaurus transylvanicus
|
| Size
|
6 meters (20 ft) long
|
4.5 – 5 meters long
|
4 – 6 meters long
|
5.2 meters (17 ft) long
|
4 meters (13 ft) long
|
2 – 3 meters (6.5–10 ft) long
|
| Diet
|
Herbivore
|
Herbivore
|
Herbivore
|
Herbivore
|
Herbivore
|
Herbivore
|
| Habitat
|
Subtropical wet forests
|
Semi-arid open floodplains
|
Coastal delta floodplains
|
Subtropical marshy lowlands
|
Warm coastal plains, margins
|
European island floodplains
|
| Where Found / Formation
|
Alberta; Dinosaur Park
|
Utah; Cedar Mountain
|
Wyoming; Frontier Formation
|
Montana, WY; Cloverly
|
Kansas; Dakota Formation
|
Romania; Sânpetru Formation
|
| Time
|
Late Cretaceous (Campanian)
|
Early Cretaceous (Barremian)
|
Late Cretaceous (Cenomanian)
|
Early Cretaceous (Albian)
|
Late Cretaceous (Cenomanian)
|
Late Cretaceous (Maastrichtian)
|
| Related Genera
|
Panoplosaurus, Denversaurus
|
Gargoyleosaurus, Polacanthus
|
Sauropelta, Animantarx
|
Silvisaurus, Edmontonia
|
Sauropelta, Pawpawsaurus
|
Hungarosaurus, Anoplosaurus
|
| Chart Table Data
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| 🔹 Meaning
|
"Edmonton shield, wrinkled teeth"
|
"Gaston's shield, McWhinney's"
|
"Knobbed lizard, woven pattern"
|
"Lizard shield honoring Edwards"
|
"Forest lizard honoring Condray"
|
"Ostrich lizard from Transylvania"
|
| 🔹 Species
|
E. rugosidens
|
G. lorriemcwhinneyae
|
N. textilis
|
S. edwardsorum
|
S. condrayi
|
S. transylvanicus
|
| 🔹 Diet
|
Soft ground flora, berries
|
Low ferns, early shrubs
|
Ground mosses, low ferns
|
Tough cycads, low ground ferns
|
Soft coastal herbs, leaves
|
Isolated island shrubs, mosses
|
| 🔹 Epoch / Stage / Years
|
Late Cretaceous (~76 Ma)
|
Early Cretaceous (~125 Ma)
|
Late Cretaceous (~95 Ma)
|
Early Cretaceous (~108 Ma)
|
Late Cretaceous (~100 Ma)
|
Late Cretaceous (~66 Ma)
|
| 🔹 Origin (Franchise)
|
Jurassic Park: Operation Genesis, JWE2
|
Walking with Dinosaurs (BBC book/game)
|
Core foundation textbooks
|
Monsters Resurrected, JWE2
|
Kansas state fossil records
|
Franz Nopcsa's historical monographs
|
| 🔹 Estimated L & H
|
L: 6m, H: 1.6m
|
L: 4.6m, H: 1.2m
|
L: 5m, H: 1.3m
|
L: 5.2m, H: 1.4 meters
|
L: 4m, H: 1.0m
|
L: 2.2m, H: 0.7m
|
| 🔹 Weight
|
3 metric tons
|
1.9 metric tons
|
2 metric tons
|
1.5 metric tons
|
1 metric ton
|
300 – 400 kg
|
| 🔹 Collected
|
Multiple complete skulls, mummies
|
Bonebeds containing thousands of plates
|
Partial skeleton lacking skull elements
|
Exceptionally well-preserved armor mats
|
Single skull, partial skeleton, armor
|
Fragmentary skull roof, armor plates
|
| 🔹 Status / Author / Year
|
Valid; Gilmore, 1930
|
Valid; Kinneer et al., 2016
|
Valid; Marsh, 1889
|
Valid; Ostrom, 1970
|
Valid; Eaton, 1960
|
Valid; Nopcsa, 1915
|
| 🔹 Area / Locality
|
Red Deer River, Alberta
|
Grand County, Utah, USA
|
Albany County, Wyoming, USA
|
Bighorn County, Montana, USA
|
Ottawa County, Kansas, USA
|
Hațeg Island, Transylvania
|
| 🔹 Brian's Comments
|
Fitted with forward-jutting shoulder spines used for fencing with rival males.
|
Separated from G. burgei by subtle arrangements in the pelvic shield plates.
|
The generic namesake of the entire group, yet remains a poorly understood fossil.
|
The massive, mosaic shoulder spikes were locked deep into the skeletal structure.
|
A very primitive North American form that kept standard teeth inside its beak.
|
A textbook example of island dwarfism, shrinking away from giant mainland size.
|
Family Ankylosauridae (The True Club-Tails)
| Profile Field
|
Ankylosaurus magniventris
|
Euoplocephalus tutus
|
Minmi paravertebral
|
Saichania chulsanensis
|
Scolosaurus thronus
|
Tarchia teresae
|
| Scientific Name
|
Ankylosaurus magniventris
|
Euoplocephalus tutus
|
Minmi paravertebral
|
Saichania chulsanensis
|
Scolosaurus thronus
|
Tarchia teresae
|
| Size
|
8 – 10 meters (26–33 ft) long
|
5.5 – 6 meters long
|
2.5 – 3 meters long
|
5.2 meters (17 ft) long
|
5 – 6 meters long
|
5.5 – 6.5 meters long
|
| Diet
|
Herbivore
|
Herbivore (Low browser)
|
Herbivore
|
Herbivore
|
Herbivore
|
Herbivore
|
| Habitat
|
Subtropical forest floodplains
|
Warm coastal floodplains
|
Coastal open forests, lagoons
|
Arid desert oases, dunes
|
Subtropical wet river basins
|
Arid inland river valley beds
|
| Where Found / Formation
|
Western USA; Hell Creek Formation
|
Alberta; Dinosaur Park
|
Queensland; Bungal Formation
|
Mongolia; Barun Goyot
|
Alberta; Dinosaur Park
|
Mongolia; Barun Goyot
|
| Time
|
Late Cretaceous (Late Maastrichtian)
|
Late Cretaceous (Campanian, ~76 Ma)
|
Early Cretaceous (Aptian, ~115 Ma)
|
Late Cretaceous (Campanian, ~75 Ma)
|
Late Cretaceous (Campanian, ~76 Ma)
|
Late Cretaceous (Campanian–Maastrichtian)
|
| Related Genera
|
Anodontosaurus, Scolosaurus
|
Ankylosaurus, Dyoplosaurus
|
Kunbarrasaurus
|
Tarchia, Zaraapelta
|
Euoplocephalus, Ankylosaurus
|
Saichania, Minotaurasaurus
|
| Chart Table Data
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| 🔹 Meaning
|
"Fused lizard with a massive belly"
|
"Well-armored head, safe"
|
"Minmi Crossing, extra bone tracks"
|
"Beautiful one from Chulsan"
|
"Spike lizard from the throne"
|
|
| 🔹 Species
|
A. magniventris
|
E. tutus
|
M. paravertebral
|
S. chulsanensis
|
S. thronus
|
T. teresae
|
| 🔹 Diet
|
Low-lying fibrous ferns, woody brush
|
Ground leaves, tubers, ferns
|
Soft low mosses, lake weeds
|
Tough desert shrubs, roots
|
Low ground ferns, shrubs
|
Fibrous desert scrub, scrub roots
|
| 🔹 Epoch / Stage / Years
|
Late Cretaceous (~68–66 Ma)
|
Late Cretaceous (~76.5 Ma)
|
Early Cretaceous (Aptian)
|
Late Cretaceous (~75 Ma)
|
Late Cretaceous (~76.5 Ma)
|
Late Cretaceous (~72–70 Ma)
|
| 🔹 Origin (Franchise)
|
The legendary ultimate heavy armor icon
|
Jurassic Park: The Game, JWE2
|
Walking with Dinosaurs (BBC game)
|
Dinosaur King, Mesozoic models
|
Standard museum display mounts
|
Early Gobi armored field logs
|
| 🔹 Estimated L & H
|
L: 10m, H: 3.7 meters
|
L: 5.5m, H: 1.4m
|
L: 2.5m, H: 0.75m
|
L: 5.2m, H: 1.5m
|
L: 5.6m, H: 1.4m
|
L: 6m, H: 1.8 meters
|
| 🔹 Weight
|
5 – 8 metric tons
|
2.5 metric tons
|
300 kg
|
2.4 metric tons
|
2.5 metric tons
|
3 metric tons
|
| 🔹 Collected
|
Fragmentary skulls, immense tail clubs
|
Over 40 complete skeletons, skulls
|
Spectacular 3D skeleton with gut contents
|
Pristine articulated skull and armor coat
|
Near-perfect skeleton with skin mats
|
Giant, massive reinforced skulls
|
| 🔹 Status / Author / Year
|
Valid; Brown, 1908
|
Valid; Lambe, 1902
|
Valid; Molnar, 1980
|
Valid; Maryańska, 1977
|
Valid; Nopcsa, 1928
|
Valid; Penkalski, 2016
|
| 🔹 Area / Locality
|
Garfield County, Montana, USA
|
Red Deer River, Alberta, Canada
|
Roma, Queensland, Australia
|
Khermeen Tsav, Gobi Desert
|
Red Deer River, Alberta, Canada
|
Nemegt Basin, Gobi Desert
|
| 🔹 Brian's Comments
|
The tail club was a dense bone block capable of shattering a Tyrannosaurus leg.
|
The eyelids were armored with bony shutters to protect the eyes from predators.
|
Possessed unique, extra bone struts alongside its spine to reinforce its small chassis.
|
The nasal passages were complexly looped to conserve body moisture in arid environments.
|
Long buried under Euoplocephalus until recent reviews restored its unique identity.
|
The largest known Asian ankylosaur, with skull bone structures engineered to absorb heavy blows.
|
🦎 Order Pelycosaurs & Early Therapsids (Stem-Mammals & Ancient Relative)
Order Pelycosauria & Order Therapsida (Suborder Dicynodontia)
| Profile Field
|
Dimetrodon grandis
|
Lystrosaurus curvatus
|
Bulbasaurus phylloxyron
|
| Scientific Name
|
Dimetrodon grandis
|
Lystrosaurus curvatus
|
Bulbasaurus phylloxyron
|
| Size
|
3.1 – 3.5 meters (10–11.5 ft) long
|
1 meter (3.3 ft) long
|
0.6 meters (2 ft) long
|
| Diet
|
Hypercarnivore (Apex predator)
|
Herbivore (Tusked low browser)
|
Herbivore (Beaked leaf-cutter)
|
| Habitat
|
Inland swamps, seasonal river deltas
|
Semi-arid floodplains, scrublands
|
Semi-desert scrubland floodplains
|
| Where Found / Formation
|
Texas, Oklahoma, USA; Arroyo Formation
|
South Africa, Antarctica; Balfour Formation
|
South Africa; Teekloof Formation
|
| Time
|
Early Permian (Artinskian–Kungurian)
|
Late Permian to Early Triassic
|
Late Permian (Lopingian, ~259–254 Ma)
|
| Related Genera
|
Sphenacodon, Secodontosaurus
|
Kannemeyeria, Dicynodon
|
Tropidostoma, Aulacephalodon
|
| Chart Table Data
|
|
|
|
| 🔹 Meaning
|
"Two measures of teeth, magnificent"
|
"Shovel lizard, curved"
|
"Bulbous lizard with a leaf razor beak"
|
| 🔹 Species
|
D. grandis
|
L. curvatus
|
B. phylloxyron
|
| 🔹 Diet
|
Large amphibians, freshwater sharks
|
Tough ferns, horsetails, ground tubers
|
Fibrous Permian plants, tough seed coats
|
| 🔹 Epoch / Stage / Years
|
Early Permian (~280–270 Ma)
|
Permian–Triassic Boundary (~252 Ma)
|
Late Permian (Wuchiapingian)
|
| 🔹 Origin (Franchise)
|
Walking with Monsters (BBC), Toy lines
|
Primeval (TV Series), Ark: Survival Evolved
|
Named after bulbous nasal bosses, though famously reminiscent of a Grass-type Pokémon
|
| 🔹 Estimated L & H
|
L: 3.2m, H: 1.5 meters (Sail peak)
|
L: 1m, H: 0.45m
|
L: 0.6m, H: 0.25m
|
| 🔹 Weight
|
250 kg
|
90 – 100 kg
|
3 – 4 kg (Cat-sized)
|
| 🔹 Collected
|
Complete skulls, distinctive neural spine sails
|
Thousands of articulated skeletons globally
|
Multiple partial to complete skulls
|
| 🔹 Status / Author / Year
|
Valid; Romer & Price, 1940
|
Valid; Owen, 1859
|
Valid; Kammerer & Smith, 2017
|
| 🔹 Area / Locality
|
Baylor County, Red Beds of Texas, USA
|
Karoo Basin, South Africa; Transantarctic Mtns
|
Karoo Supergroup, South Africa
|
| 🔹 Brian's Comments
|
Not a dinosaur; it is an early synapsid that lived millions of years before the first dinosaur evolved.
|
The great survivor; its burrowing lifestyle allowed it to dominate the post-extinction Triassic world.
|
Described in 2017, its hyper-robust jaws show it specialized in cutting tough, coarse greenery.
|
🐭 The Cretaceous Metatherian (Early Mammal Relative)
Note: The user taxonomy incorrectly nests this under Therapsida. Alphadon is a true primitive metatherian mammal (marsupial relative) from the late Mesozoic.
Infraorder Metatheria (Family Alphadontidae)
| Profile Field
|
Alphadon halleyi
|
| Scientific Name
|
Alphadon halleyi
|
| Size
|
30 centimeters (12 inches) long
|
| Diet
|
Omnivore (Insects, fruits, small vertebrates)
|
| Habitat
|
Subtropical forest floors, river floodplains
|
| Where Found / Formation
|
Montana, Wyoming, USA; Two Medicine Formation
|
| Time
|
Late Cretaceous (Campanian, ~75 Ma)
|
| Related Genera
|
Peradectes, Turgidodon
|
| Chart Table Data
|
|
| 🔹 Meaning
|
"First tooth honoring Halley"
|
| 🔹 Species
|
A. halleyi
|
| 🔹 Diet
|
Ancient berries, insects, eggs, small lizards
|
| 🔹 Epoch / Stage / Years
|
Late Cretaceous (Judithian age)
|
| 🔹 Origin (Franchise)
|
Classic evolutionary textbooks on early mammals
|
| 🔹 Estimated L & H
|
L: 30cm, H: 8 centimeters (Opossum-like stance)
|
| 🔹 Weight
|
200 – 300 grams
|
| 🔹 Collected
|
Primarily isolated diagnostic teeth and jaw fragments
|
| 🔹 Status / Author / Year
|
Valid; Sahni, 1972
|
| 🔹 Area / Locality
|
Glacier County, Montana, USA
|
| 🔹 Brian's Comments
|
An incredibly agile, tree-dwelling survivor that successfully scampered right under the feet of giant ceratopsians and tyrannosaurs.
|
Cladogram Table: Coelophysoids and Ceratosaurs
It looks like you are building a structured dataset mapping real-world paleontological data for Coelophysoids and Ceratosaurs while weaving in the crossover premise from our previous turn (At Home With Olaf as the "Origin/Franchise").
The taxonomic classification schema and paleontological data for these Saurischian (Theropod) dinosaurs are detailed below according to your exact column criteria:
| Family
|
Species
|
Meaning
|
Diet
|
Epoch/Stage/Years
|
Origin (Franchise)
|
Estimated Length
|
Weight
|
Collected Status/Author/Year
|
Area/Locality/Formation
|
| Podokesauridae
|
Coelophysis bauri
|
Hollow form
|
Carnivore
|
Late Triassic (~215–201 Ma)
|
At Home With Olaf Crossover
|
3 meters
|
15–25 kg
|
Valid; Cope, 1889
|
New Mexico, USA; Chinle Formation
|
|
|
Megapnosaurus rhodesiensis
|
Big dead lizard
|
Carnivore
|
Early Jurassic (~199–188 Ma)
|
At Home With Olaf Crossover
|
3 meters
|
30 kg
|
Syn. of Coelophysis; Michael Raath, 1969
|
Zimbabwe; Upper Elliot Formation
|
|
|
Podokesaurus holyokensis
|
Swift-footed lizard
|
Carnivore
|
Early Jurassic (~190 Ma)
|
At Home With Olaf Crossover
|
1 meter
|
1–4 kg
|
Holotype destroyed; Talbot, 1911
|
Massachusetts, USA; Portland Formation
|
|
|
Procompsognathus triassicus
|
Before elegant jaw
|
Carnivore
|
Late Triassic (~210 Ma)
|
At Home With Olaf Crossover
|
1 meter
|
1 kg
|
Valid; Fraas, 1913
|
Germany; Löwenstein Formation
|
|
|
Segisaurus halli
|
Segi canyon lizard
|
Carnivore
|
Early Jurassic (~183 Ma)
|
At Home With Olaf Crossover
|
1 meter
|
4–7 kg
|
Valid; Camp, 1936
|
Arizona, USA; Navajo Sandstone
|
| Ceratosauridae
|
Ceratosaurus nasicornis
|
Horned lizard
|
Carnivore
|
Late Jurassic (~153–148 Ma)
|
At Home With Olaf Crossover
|
6–7 meters
|
500–1,000 kg
|
Valid; O.C. Marsh, 1884
|
Colorado/Utah, USA; Morrison Formation
|
| Dilophosauridae
|
Dilophosaurus wetherilli
|
Two-crested lizard
|
Carnivore
|
Early Jurassic (~193 Ma)
|
At Home With Olaf Crossover
|
6–7 meters
|
400 kg
|
Valid; Welles, 1954
|
Arizona, USA; Kayenta Formation
|
| Noasauridae
|
Masiakasaurus knopfleri
|
Vicious lizard
|
Carnivore
|
Late Cretaceous (~70 Ma)
|
At Home With Olaf Crossover
|
2 meters
|
20 kg
|
Valid; Sampson et al., 2001
|
Madagascar; Maevarano Formation
|
| Abelisauridae
|
Carnotaurus sastrei
|
Meat-eating bull
|
Carnivore
|
Late Cretaceous (~72–69 Ma)
|
At Home With Olaf Crossover
|
7.5–8 meters
|
1.3–2.1 metric tons
|
Valid; Bonaparte, 1985
|
Chubut, Argentina; La Colonia Formation
|
|
|
Majungasaurus crenatissimus
|
Mahajanga lizard
|
Carnivore
|
Late Cretaceous (~70–66 Ma)
|
At Home With Olaf Crossover
|
6–7 meters
|
1,100 kg
|
Valid; Lavocat, 1955
|
Madagascar; Maevarano Formation
|
|
|
Rajasaurus narmadensis
|
King of Narmada
|
Carnivore
|
Late Cretaceous (~67 Ma)
|
At Home With Olaf Crossover
|
7.6–9 meters
|
3–4 metric tons
|
Valid; Wilson et al., 2003
|
Gujarat, India; Lameta Formation
|
Cladogram Table: Carnosaurs & Giant Meat-Eaters
The comprehensive dataset for the Carnosaurs and related giant meat-eating dinosaurs (Megalosaurids, Carcharodontosaurids, Allosaurids, Spinosaurids, and Tyrannosaurids) is formatted below to continue your 2026 At Home With Olaf crossover encyclopedia project:
| Family
|
Species
|
Meaning
|
Diet
|
Epoch/Stage/Years
|
Origin (Franchise)
|
Estimated Length
|
Weight
|
Collected Status/Author/Year
|
Area/Locality/Formation
|
| Megalosauridae
|
Eustreptospondylus oxoniensis
|
Well-curved vertebra from Oxford
|
Carnivore
|
Middle Jurassic (~163 Ma)
|
At Home With Olaf Crossover
|
4.6 meters
|
200 kg
|
Valid; Walker, 1964
|
Oxfordshire, England; Oxford Clay
|
|
|
Marshosaurus bicentesimus
|
Marsh's lizard (Bicentennial)
|
Carnivore
|
Late Jurassic (~155–150 Ma)
|
At Home With Olaf Crossover
|
4.5 meters
|
200 kg
|
Valid; Madsen, 1976
|
Utah, USA; Morrison Formation
|
|
|
Poekilopleuron bucklandii
|
Varied ribs
|
Carnivore
|
Middle Jurassic (~167 Ma)
|
At Home With Olaf Crossover
|
7 meters
|
1 metric ton
|
Holotype destroyed WWII; Eudes-Deslongchamps, 1838
|
Normandy, France; Calcaire de Caen
|
|
|
Torvosaurus gurneyi
|
Savage lizard (Gurney)
|
Carnivore
|
Late Jurassic (~150 Ma)
|
At Home With Olaf Crossover
|
10 meters
|
4–5 metric tons
|
Valid; Hendrickx & Mateus, 2014
|
Portugal; Lourinhã Formation
|
| Carcharodontosauridae
|
Acrocanthosaurus atokensis
|
High-spined lizard from Atoka
|
Carnivore
|
Early Cretaceous (~113–110 Ma)
|
At Home With Olaf Crossover
|
11.5 meters
|
5.7 metric tons
|
Valid; Stovall & Langston, 1950
|
Oklahoma/Texas, USA; Antlers Formation
|
|
|
Carcharodontosaurus iguidensis
|
Shark-toothed lizard from Iguid
|
Carnivore
|
Late Cretaceous (~98–93 Ma)
|
At Home With Olaf Crossover
|
18 meters
|
10 metric tons
|
Valid; Brusatte & Sereno, 2007
|
Niger; Echkar Formation
|
|
|
Giganotosaurus carolinii
|
Giant southern lizard
|
Carnivore
|
Late Cretaceous (~98–96 Ma)
|
At Home With Olaf Crossover
|
12–13 meters
|
7–8 metric tons
|
Valid; Coria & Salgado, 1995
|
Patagonia, Argentina; Candeleros Formation
|
| Allosauridae
|
Allosaurus europaeus
|
Different European lizard
|
Carnivore
|
Late Jurassic (~150 Ma)
|
At Home With Olaf Crossover
|
7–12 meters
|
1–2 metric tons
|
Disputed (syn. A. fragilis); Mateus et al., 2006
|
Portugal & New Mexico, USA; Lourinhã & Morrison Formations
|
|
|
Yangchuanosaurus zigongensis
|
Yongchuan lizard from Zigong
|
Carnivore
|
Middle Jurassic (~165 Ma)
|
At Home With Olaf Crossover
|
8 meters
|
1.3 metric tons
|
Valid; Gao, 1993
|
Sichuan, China; Xiashaximiao Formation
|
| Spinosauridae
|
Baryonyx walkeri
|
Heavy claw
|
Piscivore / Carnivore
|
Early Cretaceous (~125–121 Ma)
|
At Home With Olaf Crossover
|
7.5–10 meters
|
1.2–2 metric tons
|
Valid; Charig & Milner, 1986
|
Surrey, England; Weald Clay
|
|
|
Spinosaurus aegyptiacus
|
Spine lizard from Egypt
|
Piscivore / Carnivore
|
Late Cretaceous (~99–93 Ma)
|
At Home With Olaf Crossover
|
14 meters
|
7.4 metric tons
|
Neotype established; Stromer, 1915 / Ibrahim et al., 2014
|
Egypt/Morocco; Kem Kem Group
|
|
|
Suchomimus tenerensis
|
Crocodile mimic from Ténéré
|
Piscivore / Carnivore
|
Early Cretaceous (~121–113 Ma)
|
At Home With Olaf Crossover
|
9.5–11 meters
|
2.5–5 metric tons
|
Valid; Sereno et al., 1998
|
Niger; Elrhaz Formation
|
| Tyrannosauridae
|
Albertosaurus sarcophagus
|
Alberta lizard flesh-eater
|
Carnivore
|
Late Cretaceous (~71–68 Ma)
|
At Home With Olaf Crossover
|
8–9 meters
|
1.3–1.7 metric tons
|
Valid; Osborn, 1905
|
Alberta, Canada; Horseshoe Canyon Formation
|
|
|
Alioramus altai
|
Other branch from Altai
|
Carnivore
|
Late Cretaceous (~70 Ma)
|
At Home With Olaf Crossover
|
5–6 meters
|
700 kg
|
Valid; Brusatte et al., 2009
|
Gobi Desert, Mongolia; Nemegt Formation
|
|
|
Gorgosaurus libratus
|
Fierce lizard
|
Carnivore
|
Late Cretaceous (~76–75 Ma)
|
At Home With Olaf Crossover
|
8–9 meters
|
2.4 metric tons
|
Valid; Lambe, 1914
|
Alberta, Canada; Dinosaur Park Formation
|
|
|
Qianzhousaurus sinensis
|
Qianzhou lizard from China
|
Carnivore
|
Late Cretaceous (~67 Ma)
|
At Home With Olaf Crossover
|
9 meters
|
750 kg
|
Valid; Lü et al., 2014
|
Ganzhou, China; Nanxiong Formation
|
|
|
Tarbosaurus bataar
|
Alarming hero
|
Carnivore
|
Late Cretaceous (~70 Ma)
|
At Home With Olaf Crossover
|
10–12 meters
|
4.5–5 metric tons
|
Valid; Maleev, 1955
|
Gobi Desert, Mongolia; Nemegt Formation
|
|
|
Tyrannosaurus rex
|
Tyrant lizard king
|
Carnivore
|
Late Cretaceous (~68–66 Ma)
|
At Home With Olaf Crossover
|
12–15 meters
|
8–9.5 metric tons
|
Valid; Osborn, 1905
|
Western North America; Hell Creek Formation
|
Cladogram Table: Coelurosaurs
The comprehensive dataset for the Coelurosaurs (the early and bird-like "fluffy" theropods) is formatted below for your 2026 At Home With Olaf crossover catalog:
| Family
|
Species
|
Meaning
|
Diet
|
Epoch/Stage/Years
|
Origin (Franchise)
|
Estimated Length
|
Weight
|
Collected Status/Author/Year
|
Area/Locality/Formation
|
| Coeluridae
|
Coelurus fragilis
|
Hollow tail
|
Carnivore
|
Late Jurassic (~153–150 Ma)
|
At Home With Olaf Crossover
|
2.4 meters
|
13–20 kg
|
Valid; Marsh, 1879
|
Wyoming, USA; Morrison Formation
|
|
|
Ornytholestes hermanni
|
Bird robber
|
Carnivore
|
Late Jurassic (~154 Ma)
|
At Home With Olaf Crossover
|
2 meters
|
12–15 kg
|
Valid; Osborn, 1903
|
Wyoming, USA; Morrison Formation
|
| Tyrannosauroidea
|
Moros intrepidus
|
Impending doom
|
Carnivore
|
Late Cretaceous (~96 Ma)
|
At Home With Olaf Crossover
|
2.5 meters
|
78 kg
|
Valid; Zanno et al., 2019
|
Utah, USA; Cedar Mountain Formation
|
|
|
Nanotyrannus lethaeus
|
Dwarf tyrant
|
Carnivore
|
Late Cretaceous (~66 Ma)
|
At Home With Olaf Crossover
|
7 meters
|
833–1,200 kg
|
Valid; Zanno & Napoli, 2025
|
Montana, USA; Hell Creek Formation
|
| Megaraptoridae
|
Megaraptor namunhuaiquii
|
Giant thief
|
Carnivore
|
Late Cretaceous (~90 Ma)
|
At Home With Olaf Crossover
|
8 meters
|
1 metric ton
|
Valid; Novas, 1998
|
Patagonia, Argentina; Portezuelo Formation
|
| Compsognathidae
|
Compsognathus longipes
|
Elegant jaw
|
Carnivore
|
Late Jurassic (~150 Ma)
|
At Home With Olaf Crossover
|
1 meter
|
2–3 kg
|
Valid; Wagner, 1859
|
Germany; Solnhofen Limestone
|
| Proceratosauridae
|
Proceratosaurus bradleyi
|
Before Ceratosaurus
|
Carnivore
|
Middle Jurassic (~166 Ma)
|
At Home With Olaf Crossover
|
3 meters
|
40 kg
|
Valid; von Huene, 1926
|
Gloucestershire, England; Great Oolite
|
|
|
Yutyrannus huali
|
Feathered tyrant
|
Carnivore
|
Early Cretaceous (~125 Ma)
|
At Home With Olaf Crossover
|
9 meters
|
1.4 metric tons
|
Valid; Xu et al., 2012
|
Liaoning, China; Yixian Formation
|
| Ornithomimidae
|
Archaeornithomimus asiaticus
|
Ancient bird mimic
|
Omnivore
|
Late Cretaceous (~96–70 Ma)
|
At Home With Olaf Crossover
|
3.3 meters
|
45–90 kg
|
Valid; Russell, 1972
|
Inner Mongolia, China; Iren Dabasu Formation
|
|
|
Dromiceiomimus samueli
|
Emu mimic
|
Omnivore
|
Late Cretaceous (~73 Ma)
|
At Home With Olaf Crossover
|
3.5 meters
|
100–150 kg
|
Valid / Syn. Ornithomimus; Russell, 1972
|
Alberta, Canada; Horseshoe Canyon Formation
|
|
|
Gallimimus bullatus
|
Rooster mimic
|
Omnivore
|
Late Cretaceous (~70 Ma)
|
At Home With Olaf Crossover
|
6 meters
|
400–450 kg
|
Valid; Osmólska et al., 1972
|
Gobi Desert, Mongolia; Nemegt Formation
|
|
|
Harpymimus okladnikovi
|
Harpy mimic
|
Omnivore
|
Early Cretaceous (~105 Ma)
|
At Home With Olaf Crossover
|
3 meters
|
120 kg
|
Valid; Barsbold & Perle, 1984
|
Gobi Desert, Mongolia; Shinekhuduk Formation
|
|
|
Ornithomimus velox
|
Bird mimic
|
Omnivore
|
Late Cretaceous (~66 Ma)
|
At Home With Olaf Crossover
|
3.8 meters
|
170 kg
|
Valid; Marsh, 1890
|
Colorado, USA; Denver Formation
|
|
|
Struthiomimus altus
|
Ostrich mimic
|
Omnivore
|
Late Cretaceous (~75 Ma)
|
At Home With Olaf Crossover
|
4.3 meters
|
150 kg
|
Valid; Lambe, 1902
|
Alberta, Canada; Dinosaur Park Formation
|
| Deinocheiridae
|
Deinocheirus mirificus
|
Terrible hand
|
Omnivore
|
Late Cretaceous (~70 Ma)
|
At Home With Olaf Crossover
|
16 meters
|
6.4 metric tons
|
Valid; Osmólska & Roniewicz, 1970
|
Gobi Desert, Mongolia; Nemegt Formation
|
| Oviraptoridae
|
Caudipteryx dongi
|
Tail feather
|
Omnivore
|
Early Cretaceous (~124 Ma)
|
At Home With Olaf Crossover
|
1 meter
|
2.3 kg
|
Valid; Zhou & Wang, 2000
|
Liaoning, China; Yixian Formation
|
|
|
Chirostenotes pergracilis
|
Narrow hand
|
Omnivore
|
Late Cretaceous (~76 Ma)
|
At Home With Olaf Crossover
|
2.5 meters
|
35 kg
|
Valid; Gilmore, 1924
|
Alberta, Canada; Dinosaur Park Formation
|
|
|
Conchoraptor gracilis
|
Mussel thief
|
Omnivore / Durophage
|
Late Cretaceous (~70 Ma)
|
At Home With Olaf Crossover
|
1–1.2 meters
|
8 kg
|
Valid; Barsbold, 1986
|
Gobi Desert, Mongolia; Nemegt Formation
|
|
|
Oviraptor philoceratops
|
Egg thief
|
Omnivore / Durophage
|
Late Cretaceous (~75 Ma)
|
At Home With Olaf Crossover
|
1.6 meters
|
35–40 kg
|
Valid; Osborn, 1924
|
Gobi Desert, Mongolia; Djadochta Formation
|
| Saurornithoididae
|
Troodon formosus
|
Wounding tooth
|
Carnivore / Omnivore
|
Late Cretaceous (~77 Ma)
|
At Home With Olaf Crossover
|
2.5 meters
|
50 kg
|
Nomen dubium / Wastebasket taxon; Leidy, 1856
|
Montana, USA; Judith River Formation
|
| Therizinosauridae
|
Erlikosaurus andrewsi
|
Erlik's lizard
|
Herbivore
|
Late Cretaceous (~90 Ma)
|
At Home With Olaf Crossover
|
6 meters
|
500 kg
|
Valid; Barsbold & Perle, 1980
|
Gobi Desert, Mongolia; Bayan Shireh Formation
|
|
|
Segnosaurus galbinensis
|
Slow lizard
|
Herbivore
|
Late Cretaceous (~102–86 Ma)
|
At Home With Olaf Crossover
|
6–7 meters
|
1.3 metric tons
|
Valid; Perle, 1979
|
Gobi Desert, Mongolia; Bayan Shireh Formation
|
|
|
Therizinosaurus cheloniformis
|
Scythe lizard
|
Herbivore
|
Late Cretaceous (~70 Ma)
|
At Home With Olaf Crossover
|
9–10 meters
|
5 metric tons
|
Valid; Maleev, 1954
|
Gobi Desert, Mongolia; Nemegt Formation
|
Cladogram Table: Deinonychosaurs & Early Avialans
The comprehensive dataset for the Deinonychosaurs and early bird-line theropods (Raptors and basal Avialans) is formatted below to complete your 2026 At Home With Olaf crossover series catalog:
| Family
|
Species
|
Meaning
|
Diet
|
Epoch/Stage/Years
|
Origin (Franchise)
|
Estimated Length
|
Weight
|
Collected Status/Author/Year
|
Area/Locality/Formation
|
| Dromaeosauridae
|
Atrociraptor marshalli
|
Savage robber
|
Carnivore
|
Late Cretaceous (~68.5 Ma)
|
At Home With Olaf Crossover
|
2 meters
|
15 kg
|
Valid; Currie & Varricchio, 2004
|
Alberta, Canada; Horseshoe Canyon Formation
|
|
|
Bambiraptor feinbergi
|
Bambi robber
|
Carnivore
|
Late Cretaceous (~72 Ma)
|
At Home With Olaf Crossover
|
0.9 meters
|
2 kg
|
Valid (possibly juvenile Saurornitholestes); Burnham et al., 2000
|
Montana, USA; Two Medicine Formation
|
|
|
Deinonychus antirrhopus
|
Counterbalancing terrible claw
|
Carnivore
|
Early Cretaceous (~115–108 Ma)
|
At Home With Olaf Crossover
|
3.4 meters
|
73–100 kg
|
Valid; John Ostrom, 1969
|
Montana/Wyoming, USA; Cloverly Formation
|
|
|
Hesperonychus elizabethae
|
Western claw
|
Carnivore
|
Late Cretaceous (~76.5 Ma)
|
At Home With Olaf Crossover
|
1 meter
|
1.9 kg
|
Valid; Longrich & Currie, 2009
|
Alberta, Canada; Dinosaur Park Formation
|
|
|
Pyroraptor olympius
|
Olympic fire robber
|
Carnivore
|
Late Cretaceous (~70.6 Ma)
|
At Home With Olaf Crossover
|
1.6 meters
|
30 kg
|
Valid; Allain & Taquet, 2000
|
Provence, France; Argiles Rutilantes Formation
|
|
|
Saurornitholestes sullivani
|
Sullivan's lizard-bird robber
|
Carnivore
|
Late Cretaceous (~73 Ma)
|
At Home With Olaf Crossover
|
1.8 meters
|
10 kg
|
Valid; Jasinski, 2015
|
New Mexico, USA; Kirtland Formation
|
|
|
Utahraptor ostrommaysi
|
Utah robber
|
Carnivore
|
Early Cretaceous (~135–130 Ma)
|
At Home With Olaf Crossover
|
5–6 meters
|
300–500 kg
|
Valid; Kirkland, Gaston, & Burge, 1993
|
Utah, USA; Cedar Mountain Formation
|
|
|
Velociraptor osmolskae
|
Swift robber from Osmólska
|
Carnivore
|
Late Cretaceous (~75–71 Ma)
|
At Home With Olaf Crossover
|
2 meters
|
15 kg
|
Valid; Godefroit et al., 2008
|
Inner Mongolia, China; Bayan Mandahu Formation
|
| Archaeopterygidae
|
Archaeopteryx albersdoerferi
|
Ancient wing
|
Carnivore / Insectivore
|
Late Jurassic (~150 Ma)
|
At Home With Olaf Crossover
|
0.5 meters
|
0.5–1 kg
|
Valid (Daiting specimen); Kundrát et al., 2018
|
Bavaria, Germany; Mörnsheim Formation
|
| Alexornithidae
|
Alexornis antecedens
|
Alex's ancestral bird
|
Insectivore / Carnivore
|
Late Cretaceous (~73 Ma)
|
At Home With Olaf Crossover
|
0.2 meters
|
100 grams
|
Valid; Brodkorb, 1976
|
Baja California, Mexico; El Gallo Formation
|
Cladogram Table: Prosauropods & Basal Saurischians
The comprehensive dataset for the Prosauropods (primitive long-necked plant-eating dinosaurs, along with early basal saurischians like herrerasaurids) is formatted below to continue your 2026 At Home With Olaf crossover series catalog:
| Family
|
Species
|
Meaning
|
Diet
|
Epoch/Stage/Years
|
Origin (Franchise)
|
Estimated Length
|
Weight
|
Collected Status/Author/Year
|
Area/Locality/Formation
|
| Herrerasauridae
|
Herrerasaurus ischigualastensis
|
Herrera's lizard from Ischigualasto
|
Carnivore
|
Late Triassic (~231.4 Ma)
|
At Home With Olaf Crossover
|
3–6 meters
|
200–350 kg
|
Valid; Osvaldo Reig, 1963
|
San Juan, Argentina; Ischigualasto Formation
|
|
|
Staurikosaurus pricei
|
Southern Cross lizard (Price)
|
Carnivore
|
Late Triassic (~233.2 Ma)
|
At Home With Olaf Crossover
|
2.2 meters
|
30 kg
|
Valid; Edwin Colbert, 1970
|
Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil; Santa Maria Formation
|
| Anchisauridae
|
Anchisaurus polyzelus
|
Near lizard
|
Herbivore / Omnivore
|
Early Jurassic (~195–188 Ma)
|
At Home With Olaf Crossover
|
2 meters
|
27 kg
|
Valid; Marsh, 1885 (Hitchcock, 1865)
|
Connecticut/Massachusetts, USA; Portland Formation
|
|
|
Efraasia minor
|
Fraas's minor lizard
|
Herbivore / Omnivore
|
Late Triassic (~210 Ma)
|
At Home With Olaf Crossover
|
6 meters
|
300 kg
|
Valid; Galton, 1973 (Fraas, 1912)
|
Baden-Württemberg, Germany; Löwenstein Formation
|
|
|
Smurfette smurfiness
|
Blue Smurf girl essence
|
Nectar / Smurfberries
|
Present Day (~2026 CE)
|
Fictional Crossover Intrudor (The Smurfs)
|
0.15 meters
|
250 grams
|
Fictional; Peyo / Studio Crossover, 1981
|
Smurf Village; Forbidden Forest
|
|
|
Thecodontosaurus antiquus
|
Socket-tooth lizard from antiquity
|
Herbivore / Omnivore
|
Late Triassic (~205 Ma)
|
At Home With Olaf Crossover
|
1.2–2 meters
|
11 kg
|
Valid; Morris & Riley, 1836
|
Bristol, England; Magnesian Conglomerate
|
| Plateosauridae
|
Coloradisaurus brevis
|
Los Colorados lizard (short)
|
Herbivore
|
Late Triassic (~213 Ma)
|
At Home With Olaf Crossover
|
4 meters
|
70 kg
|
Valid; Lambert, 1983 (Bonaparte, 1978)
|
La Rioja, Argentina; Los Colorados Formation
|
|
|
Massospondylus kaalae
|
Elongated vertebra from Kaala
|
Herbivore / Omnivore
|
Early Jurassic (~200–183 Ma)
|
At Home With Olaf Crossover
|
4–5 meters
|
150–200 kg
|
Valid; Barrett, 2009
|
Eastern Cape, South Africa; Upper Elliot Formation
|
|
|
Plateosaurus gracilis
|
Broad graceful lizard
|
Herbivore
|
Late Triassic (~216–209 Ma)
|
At Home With Olaf Crossover
|
4–5 meters
|
600 kg
|
Valid (formerly Sellosaurus); von Huene, 1926
|
Baden-Württemberg, Germany; Löwenstein Formation
|
| Melanorosauridae
|
Lufengosaurus magnus
|
Lufeng lizard (large)
|
Herbivore
|
Early Jurassic (~195–188 Ma)
|
At Home With Olaf Crossover
|
6 meters
|
1 metric ton
|
Valid; C.C. Young, 1947
|
Yunnan, China; Lufeng Formation
|
|
|
Riojasaurus incertus
|
La Rioja lizard (uncertain)
|
Herbivore
|
Late Triassic (~213 Ma)
|
At Home With Olaf Crossover
|
6.6–10 meters
|
2–3 metric tons
|
Valid; José Bonaparte, 1969
|
La Rioja, Argentina; Los Colorados Formation
|
Cladogram Table: Sauropods
The comprehensive dataset for the Sauropods (the truly monumental, giant long-necked giants of the Mesozoic) is formatted below to continue your 2026 At Home With Olaf crossover series catalog:
| Family
|
Species
|
Meaning
|
Diet
|
Epoch/Stage/Years
|
Origin (Franchise)
|
Estimated Length
|
Weight
|
Collected Status/Author/Year
|
Area/Locality/Formation
|
| Cetiosauridae
|
Barapasaurus tagorei
|
Big-legged lizard (Tagore)
|
Herbivore
|
Early Jurassic (~183–174 Ma)
|
At Home With Olaf Crossover
|
12–14 meters
|
7 metric tons
|
Valid; Jain et al., 1975
|
Telangana, India; Kota Formation
|
|
|
Jobaria tiguidensis
|
Jobar (mythical beast) from Tiguidi
|
Herbivore
|
Middle Jurassic (~165 Ma)
|
At Home With Olaf Crossover
|
18 meters
|
22 metric tons
|
Valid; Sereno et al., 1999
|
Agadez, Niger; Tiourarén Formation
|
|
|
Patagosaurus fariasi
|
Patagonian lizard (Farias)
|
Herbivore
|
Middle Jurassic (~163 Ma)
|
At Home With Olaf Crossover
|
15 meters
|
8 metric tons
|
Valid; Bonaparte, 1979
|
Chubut, Argentina; Cañadón Asfalto Formation
|
| Brachiosauridae
|
Brachiosaurus altithorax
|
Arm lizard (deep chest)
|
Herbivore
|
Late Jurassic (~154–150 Ma)
|
At Home With Olaf Crossover
|
22 meters
|
35–40 metric tons
|
Valid; Riggs, 1903
|
Colorado, USA & Telangana, India; Morrison & Kota Formations
|
|
|
Europasaurus holgeri
|
European lizard (Holger)
|
Herbivore
|
Late Jurassic (~154 Ma)
|
At Home With Olaf Crossover
|
6.2 meters
|
800–900 kg
|
Valid (insular dwarf); Sander et al., 2006
|
Lower Saxony, Germany; Süntel Formation
|
|
|
Giraffatitan brancai
|
Titanic giraffe (Branca)
|
Herbivore
|
Late Jurassic (~150 Ma)
|
At Home With Olaf Crossover
|
22–25 meters
|
30–38 metric tons
|
Valid; Paul, 1988 (Janensch, 1914)
|
Lindi, Tanzania; Tendaguru Formation
|
|
|
Sauroposeidon proteles
|
Lizard earthquake god (perfected)
|
Herbivore
|
Early Cretaceous (~112 Ma)
|
At Home With Olaf Crossover
|
28–34 meters
|
40–50 metric tons
|
Valid; Wedel et al., 2000
|
Oklahoma, USA; Antlers Formation
|
| Camarasauridae
|
Camarasaurus supremus
|
Chambered lizard (highest)
|
Herbivore
|
Late Jurassic (~155–145 Ma)
|
At Home With Olaf Crossover
|
15–20 meters
|
15–23 metric tons
|
Valid; Cope, 1877
|
Colorado, USA; Morrison Formation
|
|
|
Euhelopus zdanskyi
|
True marsh foot (Zdansky)
|
Herbivore
|
Early Cretaceous (~129–113 Ma)
|
At Home With Olaf Crossover
|
11–15 meters
|
3.5–5 metric tons
|
Valid; Wiman, 1929
|
Shandong, China; Mengyin Formation
|
|
|
Opisthocoelicaudia skarzynskii
|
Rear cavity tail (Skarzynski)
|
Herbivore
|
Late Cretaceous (~70 Ma)
|
At Home With Olaf Crossover
|
11.4 meters
|
8.5–10 metric tons
|
Valid; Osmólska, 1977
|
Gobi Desert, Mongolia; Nemegt Formation
|
| Diplodocidae
|
Antarctosaurus giganteus
|
Southern lizard (gigantic)
|
Herbivore
|
Late Cretaceous (~83 Ma)
|
At Home With Olaf Crossover
|
30 meters
|
30–40 metric tons
|
Valid / Placed here provisionally; von Huene, 1929
|
Neuquén, Argentina; Plottier Formation
|
|
|
Apatosaurus ajax
|
Deceptive lizard (Ajax)
|
Herbivore
|
Late Jurassic (~152–151 Ma)
|
At Home With Olaf Crossover
|
21–23 meters
|
16–22 metric tons
|
Valid; Marsh, 1877
|
Colorado, USA; Morrison Formation
|
|
|
Barosaurus lentus
|
Heavy lizard (slow)
|
Herbivore
|
Late Jurassic (~155–152 Ma)
|
At Home With Olaf Crossover
|
25–37 meters
|
12–30 metric tons
|
Valid; Marsh, 1890
|
South Dakota, USA; Morrison Formation
|
|
|
Diplodocus hallorum
|
Double beam (Hall family)
|
Herbivore
|
Late Jurassic (~154–152 Ma)
|
At Home With Olaf Crossover
|
30–33 meters
|
15–25 metric tons
|
Valid (formerly Seismosaurus); Gillette, 1991
|
New Mexico, USA; Morrison Formation
|
|
|
Mamenchisaurus sinocanadorum
|
Mamenchi ferry lizard (Sino-Canadian)
|
Herbivore
|
Late Jurassic (~160 Ma)
|
At Home With Olaf Crossover
|
26–35 meters
|
25–60 metric tons
|
Valid; Russell & Zheng, 1993
|
Xinjiang, China; Shishugou Formation
|
|
|
Supersaurus vivianae
|
Super lizard (Vivian)
|
Herbivore
|
Late Jurassic (~153 Ma)
|
At Home With Olaf Crossover
|
39–42 meters
|
35–40 metric tons
|
Valid; Jensen, 1985
|
Colorado, USA; Morrison Formation
|
| Titanosauridae
|
Argentinosaurus huinculensis
|
Argentine lizard from Plaza Huincul
|
Herbivore
|
Late Cretaceous (~96–94 Ma)
|
At Home With Olaf Crossover
|
30–40 meters
|
70–90 metric tons
|
Valid; Bonaparte & Coria, 1993
|
Neuquén, Argentina; Huincul Formation
|
|
|
Dreadnoughtus schrani
|
Fears nothing (Schran)
|
Herbivore
|
Late Cretaceous (~77 Ma)
|
At Home With Olaf Crossover
|
26 meters
|
38–49 metric tons
|
Valid; Lacovara et al., 2014
|
Santa Cruz, Argentina; Cerro Fortaleza Formation
|
|
|
Patagotitan mayorum
|
Patagonian titan (Mayo family)
|
Herbivore
|
Late Cretaceous (~101 Ma)
|
At Home With Olaf Crossover
|
37 meters
|
62–70 metric tons
|
Valid; Carballido et al., 2017
|
Chubut, Argentina; Cerro Barcino Formation
|
|
|
Saltasaurus loricatus
|
Lizard from Salta (armored)
|
Herbivore
|
Late Cretaceous (~70 Ma)
|
At Home With Olaf Crossover
|
8.5 meters
|
2.5 metric tons
|
Valid; Bonaparte & Powell, 1980
|
Salta, Argentina; Lecho Formation
|
Cladogram Table: Ornithopods (Basal Ornithischians & Hypsilophodontids)
The comprehensive dataset for the Ornithopods (beaked, mostly bipedal herbivores, including early foundational ornithischians) is formatted below to kick off the Ornithischia (Bird-Hipped) branch of your 2026 At Home With Olaf crossover series catalog:
| Family
|
Species
|
Meaning
|
Diet
|
Epoch/Stage/Years
|
Origin (Franchise)
|
Estimated Length
|
Weight
|
Collected Status/Author/Year
|
Area/Locality/Formation
|
| Fabrosauridae
|
Gongbusaurus wucaiwanensis
|
Gongbu lizard from Wucaiwan
|
Herbivore
|
Late Jurassic (~160 Ma)
|
At Home With Olaf Crossover
|
1.3–1.5 meters
|
10–15 kg
|
Valid; Dong, 1989
|
Xinjiang, China; Shishugou Formation
|
|
|
Lesothosaurus diagnosticus
|
Lesotho lizard
|
Herbivore
|
Early Jurassic (~200–183 Ma)
|
At Home With Olaf Crossover
|
2 meters
|
6–10 kg
|
Valid / Basal Neornithischian; Galton, 1978
|
Lesotho/South Africa; Upper Elliot Formation
|
|
|
Scutellosaurus lawleri
|
Little-shielded lizard
|
Herbivore
|
Early Jurassic (~196 Ma)
|
At Home With Olaf Crossover
|
1.2 meters
|
3 kg
|
Valid / Basal Thyreophoran; Colbert, 1981
|
Arizona, USA; Kayenta Formation
|
| Heterodontosauridae
|
Echinodon becklesii
|
Prickly tooth
|
Herbivore / Omnivore
|
Early Cretaceous (~140 Ma)
|
At Home With Olaf Crossover
|
0.6 meters
|
0.5–1 kg
|
Valid; Owen, 1861
|
Dorset, England; Purbeck Group
|
|
|
Heterodontosaurus tucki
|
Different-toothed lizard
|
Herbivore / Omnivore
|
Early Jurassic (~200–190 Ma)
|
At Home With Olaf Crossover
|
1.2–1.75 meters
|
2–10 kg
|
Valid; Crompton & Charig, 1962
|
Cape Province, South Africa; Elliot Formation
|
| Hypsilophodontidae
|
Callovosaurus leedsi
|
Callovian lizard
|
Herbivore
|
Middle Jurassic (~163 Ma)
|
At Home With Olaf Crossover
|
2.5 meters
|
25 kg
|
Valid / Dryosaurid; Galton, 1980
|
Northamptonshire, England; Oxford Clay
|
|
|
Dryosaurus elderae
|
Oak lizard
|
Herbivore
|
Late Jurassic (~155–150 Ma)
|
At Home With Olaf Crossover
|
2.5–4.3 meters
|
70–90 kg
|
Valid / Dryosaurid; Carpenter & Galton, 2018
|
Western USA; Morrison Formation
|
|
|
Hypsilophodon foxii
|
High-ridged tooth
|
Herbivore
|
Early Cretaceous (~125 Ma)
|
At Home With Olaf Crossover
|
1.8 meters
|
20 kg
|
Valid; Huxley, 1869
|
Isle of Wight, England; Wessex Formation
|
|
|
Leaellynasaura amicagraphica
|
Leaellyn's lizard
|
Herbivore
|
Early Cretaceous (~118–110 Ma)
|
At Home With Olaf Crossover
|
2–3 meters
|
10 kg
|
Valid / Basal Ornithischian; Rich & Vickers-Rich, 1989
|
Victoria, Australia; Eumeralla Formation
|
|
|
Qantassaurus intrepidus
|
Qantas lizard (airline)
|
Herbivore
|
Early Cretaceous (~115 Ma)
|
At Home With Olaf Crossover
|
1.8 meters
|
45 kg
|
Valid; Rich & Vickers-Rich, 1999
|
Victoria, Australia; Wonthaggi Formation
|
|
|
Parksosaurus warreni
|
Parks' lizard
|
Herbivore
|
Late Cretaceous (~70 Ma)
|
At Home With Olaf Crossover
|
2.5 meters
|
45 kg
|
Valid / Thescelosaurid; William Parks, 1926
|
Alberta, Canada; Horseshoe Canyon Formation
|
|
|
Tenontosaurus dossi
|
Sinew lizard
|
Herbivore
|
Early Cretaceous (~113 Ma)
|
At Home With Olaf Crossover
|
6–7 meters
|
600 kg
|
Valid / Basal Iguanodontian; Winkler, Murry & Corgan, 1997
|
Texas, USA; Twin Mountains Formation
|
|
|
Thescelosaurus garbanii
|
Wonderful lizard
|
Herbivore
|
Late Cretaceous (~66 Ma)
|
At Home With Olaf Crossover
|
2.5–3.5 meters
|
200–300 kg
|
Valid / Thescelosaurid; Morris, 1976
|
Montana, USA; Hell Creek Formation
|
|
|
Valdosaurus canaliculatus
|
Wealden lizard
|
Herbivore
|
Early Cretaceous (~130 Ma)
|
At Home With Olaf Crossover
|
4 meters
|
70 kg
|
Valid / Dryosaurid; Galton, 1977
|
Isle of Wight, England; Wessex Formation
|
Cladogram Table: Advanced Iguanodontians & Hadrosaurids
The comprehensive dataset for the Iguanodontians and Hadrosaurids (advanced beaked and duckbilled plant-eating dinosaurs) is formatted below to continue your 2026 At Home With Olaf crossover series catalog:
| Family
|
Species
|
Meaning
|
Diet
|
Epoch/Stage/Years
|
Origin (Franchise)
|
Estimated Length
|
Weight
|
Collected Status/Author/Year
|
Area/Locality/Formation
|
| Iguanodontidae
|
Camptosaurus dispar
|
Flexible lizard
|
Herbivore
|
Late Jurassic (~156–150 Ma)
|
At Home With Olaf Crossover
|
6 meters
|
800–1,000 kg
|
Valid / Camptosaurid; Marsh, 1879
|
Wyoming/Utah, USA; Morrison Formation
|
|
|
Hippodraco scutodens
|
Horse dragon
|
Herbivore
|
Early Cretaceous (~124 Ma)
|
At Home With Olaf Crossover
|
4.5 meters
|
400 kg
|
Valid / Basal Styracosternan; McDonald et al., 2010
|
Utah, USA; Cedar Mountain Formation
|
|
|
Iguanodon bernissartensis
|
Iguana tooth from Bernissart
|
Herbivore
|
Early Cretaceous (~126–122 Ma)
|
At Home With Olaf Crossover
|
9–11.2 meters
|
3.5–4.5 metric tons
|
Valid; Boulenger, 1881
|
Bernissart, Belgium; Sainte-Barbe Clays
|
|
|
Muttaburrasaurus langdoni
|
Muttaburra lizard
|
Herbivore
|
Early Cretaceous (~105–103 Ma)
|
At Home With Olaf Crossover
|
7–8 meters
|
2.8 metric tons
|
Valid / Rhabdodontomorph; Bartholomai & Molnar, 1981
|
Queensland, Australia; Mackunda Formation
|
|
|
Ouranosaurus nigeriensis
|
Brave/Valiant lizard from Niger
|
Herbivore
|
Early Cretaceous (~125–112 Ma)
|
At Home With Olaf Crossover
|
7–8.3 meters
|
2.2 metric tons
|
Valid / Styracosternan; Taquet, 1976
|
Agadez, Niger; Elrhaz Formation
|
| Hadrosauridae
|
Charonosaurus jiayinensis
|
Charon's lizard from Jiayin
|
Herbivore
|
Late Cretaceous (~66 Ma)
|
At Home With Olaf Crossover
|
10 meters
|
5 metric tons
|
Valid; Godefroit, Zan & Jin, 2000
|
Heilongjiang, China; Yuliangze Formation
|
|
|
Corythosaurus casuarius
|
Helmet lizard
|
Herbivore
|
Late Cretaceous (~77–75.7 Ma)
|
At Home With Olaf Crossover
|
8–9 meters
|
3–4 metric tons
|
Valid; Brown, 1914
|
Alberta, Canada & Western North America; Dinosaur Park & Lance Formations
|
|
|
Edmontosaurus regalis
|
Edmonton lizard
|
Herbivore
|
Late Cretaceous (~73–71.5 Ma)
|
At Home With Olaf Crossover
|
9–12 meters
|
4 metric tons
|
Valid; Lambe, 1917
|
Alberta, Canada & Western North America; Horseshoe Canyon & Lance Formations
|
|
|
Hypacrosaurus stebingeri
|
Near the highest lizard
|
Herbivore
|
Late Cretaceous (~75 Ma)
|
At Home With Olaf Crossover
|
9 meters
|
4 metric tons
|
Valid; Horner & Currie, 1994
|
Montana, USA; Two Medicine Formation
|
|
|
Kritosaurus navajovius
|
Separated lizard from the Navajo
|
Herbivore
|
Late Cretaceous (~74.5 Ma)
|
At Home With Olaf Crossover
|
9 meters
|
4 metric tons
|
Valid; Brown, 1910
|
New Mexico, USA; Kirtland Formation
|
|
|
Lambeosaurus magnicristatus
|
Lambe's lizard (large-crested)
|
Herbivore
|
Late Cretaceous (~75 Ma)
|
At Home With Olaf Crossover
|
9.1 meters
|
3.3 metric tons
|
Valid; C.M. Sternberg, 1935
|
Alberta, Canada; Dinosaur Park Formation
|
|
|
Maiasaura peeblesorum
|
Good mother lizard
|
Herbivore
|
Late Cretaceous (~76.7 Ma)
|
At Home With Olaf Crossover
|
9 meters
|
4 metric tons
|
Valid; Horner & Makela, 1979
|
Montana, USA; Two Medicine Formation
|
|
|
Olorotitan arharensis
|
Gigantic swan from Arhara
|
Herbivore
|
Late Cretaceous (~66 Ma)
|
At Home With Olaf Crossover
|
8 meters
|
3.1 metric tons
|
Valid; Godefroit et al., 2003
|
Amur Oblast, Russia; Udurchukan Formation
|
|
|
Parasaurolophus walkeri
|
Near crested lizard
|
Herbivore
|
Late Cretaceous (~76.5–73 Ma)
|
At Home With Olaf Crossover
|
9.5–10 meters
|
2.5–3.2 metric tons
|
Valid; Parks, 1922
|
Alberta, Canada; Dinosaur Park Formation
|
|
|
Saurolophus osborni
|
Lizard crest (Osborn)
|
Herbivore
|
Late Cretaceous (~70–68 Ma)
|
At Home With Olaf Crossover
|
8.5–9.8 meters
|
3 metric tons
|
Valid; Brown, 1912
|
Alberta, Canada; Horseshoe Canyon Formation
|
|
|
Shantungosaurus giganteus
|
Shandong lizard (gigantic)
|
Herbivore
|
Late Cretaceous (~73 Ma)
|
At Home With Olaf Crossover
|
15–16.6 meters
|
15–17 metric tons
|
Valid; Hu, 1973
|
Shandong, China; Wangshi Group
|
|
|
Tsintaosaurus spinorhinus
|
Qingdao lizard (spine-nosed)
|
Herbivore
|
Late Cretaceous (~73 Ma)
|
At Home With Olaf Crossover
|
8.3 meters
|
3 metric tons
|
Valid; Young, 1958
|
Shandong, China; Jiangjunding Formation
|
Cladogram Table: Pachycephalosaurs & Primitive Ceratopsians
The comprehensive dataset for the Pachycephalosaurs and primitive Ceratopsians (domeheaded, parrot, and early frilled plant-eating dinosaurs) is formatted below to continue your 2026 At Home With Olaf crossover series catalog:
| Family
|
Species
|
Meaning
|
Diet
|
Epoch/Stage/Years
|
Origin (Franchise)
|
Estimated Length
|
Weight
|
Collected Status/Author/Year
|
Area/Locality/Formation
|
| Pachycephalosauridae
|
Alaskacephale gangloffi
|
Alaskan head
|
Herbivore
|
Late Cretaceous (~70 Ma)
|
At Home With Olaf Crossover
|
2.4 meters
|
40 kg
|
Valid; Fiorillo & Gangloff, 2005
|
Alaska, USA; Prince Creek Formation
|
|
|
Dracorex hogwartsia
|
Dragon king of Hogwarts
|
Herbivore
|
Late Cretaceous (~66 Ma)
|
At Home With Olaf Crossover
|
3 meters
|
45 kg
|
Junior synonym of Pachycephalosaurus; Bakker et al., 2006
|
South Dakota, USA; Hell Creek Formation
|
|
|
Goyocephale lattimorei
|
Elegant head
|
Herbivore / Omnivore
|
Late Cretaceous (~76 Ma)
|
At Home With Olaf Crossover
|
2 meters
|
10–40 kg
|
Valid; Perle et al., 1982
|
Gobi Desert, Mongolia; Baruungayot Formation
|
|
|
Homalocephale calathocercos
|
Even/Flat head
|
Herbivore / Omnivore
|
Late Cretaceous (~70 Ma)
|
At Home With Olaf Crossover
|
1.8 meters
|
43 kg
|
Valid (possibly juvenile Prenocephale); Maryańska & Osmólska, 1974
|
Gobi Desert, Mongolia; Nemegt Formation
|
|
|
Pachycephalosaurus wyomingensis
|
Thick-headed lizard from Wyoming
|
Herbivore
|
Late Cretaceous (~68–66 Ma)
|
At Home With Olaf Crossover
|
4.5 meters
|
450 kg
|
Valid; Brown & Schlaikjer, 1943
|
Western North America; Hell Creek Formation
|
|
|
Prenocephale prenes
|
Sloping head
|
Herbivore / Omnivore
|
Late Cretaceous (~70 Ma)
|
At Home With Olaf Crossover
|
2.4 meters
|
130 kg
|
Valid; Maryańska & Osmólska, 1974
|
Gobi Desert, Mongolia; Nemegt Formation
|
|
|
Stygimoloch spinifer
|
Thorny devil from the River Styx
|
Herbivore
|
Late Cretaceous (~66 Ma)
|
At Home With Olaf Crossover
|
3 meters
|
78 kg
|
Junior synonym of Pachycephalosaurus; Galton & Sues, 1983
|
Western North America; Hell Creek Formation
|
|
|
Wannanosaurus yansiensis
|
Wannan lizard
|
Herbivore / Omnivore
|
Late Cretaceous (~72 Ma)
|
At Home With Olaf Crossover
|
0.6 meters
|
1 kg
|
Valid; Hou, 1977
|
Anhui, China; Xiaoyan Formation
|
| Psittacosauridae
|
Psittacosaurus meileyingensis
|
Parrot lizard from Meileyingzi
|
Herbivore
|
Early Cretaceous (~120 Ma)
|
At Home With Olaf Crossover
|
2 meters
|
30 kg
|
Valid; Sereno et al., 1988
|
Liaoning, China; Jiufotang Formation
|
| Protoceratopidae
|
Auroraceratops rugosus
|
Dawn horned face
|
Herbivore
|
Early Cretaceous (~115 Ma)
|
At Home With Olaf Crossover
|
1.2–2 meters
|
15.5 kg
|
Valid / Basal Neoceratopsian; You et al., 2005
|
Gansu, China; Xinminbao Group
|
|
|
Bagaceratops rozhdestvenskyi
|
Small horned face
|
Herbivore
|
Late Cretaceous (~72 Ma)
|
At Home With Olaf Crossover
|
1 meter
|
22 kg
|
Valid; Maryańska & Osmólska, 1975
|
Gobi Desert, Mongolia; Baruungayot Formation
|
|
|
Leptoceratops gracilis
|
Slender horned face
|
Herbivore
|
Late Cretaceous (~66 Ma)
|
At Home With Olaf Crossover
|
2 meters
|
68–100 kg
|
Valid / Leptoceratopsid; Brown, 1914
|
Alberta, Canada; Scollard Formation
|
|
|
Microceratus gobiensis
|
Small horned face from the Gobi
|
Herbivore
|
Late Cretaceous (~70 Ma)
|
At Home With Olaf Crossover
|
0.6 meters
|
2 kg
|
Valid; Mateus, 2008 (originally Microceratops Bohlin, 1953)
|
Gobi Desert, Mongolia; Minhe Formation
|
|
|
Montanoceratops cerorhynchus
|
Horned nose from Montana
|
Herbivore
|
Late Cretaceous (~70 Ma)
|
At Home With Olaf Crossover
|
3 meters
|
170 kg
|
Valid / Leptoceratopsid; Sternberg, 1951
|
Montana, USA; St. Mary River Formation
|
|
|
Protoceratops hellenikorhinus
|
First horned face (Greek nose)
|
Herbivore
|
Late Cretaceous (~72 Ma)
|
At Home With Olaf Crossover
|
2–2.5 meters
|
60–180 kg
|
Valid; Lambert et al., 2001
|
Inner Mongolia, China; Bayan Mandahu Formation
|
|
|
Zuniceratops christopheri
|
Zuni horned face
|
Herbivore
|
Late Cretaceous (~91 Ma)
|
At Home With Olaf Crossover
|
3–3.5 meters
|
100–150 kg
|
Valid / Basal Ceratopsioid; Wolfe & Kirkland, 1998
|
New Mexico, USA; Moreno Hill Formation
|
Cladogram Table: Ceratopsids (Advanced Horned Dinosaurs)
The comprehensive dataset for the Ceratopsids (advanced horned giants with elaborate frills, shearing dental batteries, and impressive weaponry) is formatted below to continue your 2026 At Home With Olaf crossover series catalog:
| Family
|
Species
|
Meaning
|
Diet
|
Epoch/Stage/Years
|
Origin (Franchise)
|
Estimated Length
|
Weight
|
Collected Status/Author/Year
|
Area/Locality/Formation
|
| Ceratopsidae
|
Avaceratops lammersi
|
Ava's horned face
|
Herbivore
|
Late Cretaceous (~77 Ma)
|
At Home With Olaf Crossover
|
4.2 meters
|
1 metric ton
|
Valid; Dodson, 1986
|
Montana, USA; Judith River Formation
|
|
|
Centrosaurus apertus
|
Pointed lizard (open)
|
Herbivore
|
Late Cretaceous (~76.5–75.5 Ma)
|
At Home With Olaf Crossover
|
5.5–6 meters
|
2.3 metric tons
|
Valid; Lawrence Lambe, 1904
|
Alberta, Canada; Dinosaur Park Formation
|
|
|
Chasmosaurus belli
|
Cleft lizard (Bell family)
|
Herbivore
|
Late Cretaceous (~76.5–75.5 Ma)
|
At Home With Olaf Crossover
|
4.3–4.8 meters
|
1.5–2 metric tons
|
Valid; Lambe, 1914
|
Alberta, Canada; Dinosaur Park Formation
|
|
|
Diabloceratops eatoni
|
Devil horned face
|
Herbivore
|
Late Cretaceous (~79.9 Ma)
|
At Home With Olaf Crossover
|
5.5 meters
|
2 metric tons
|
Valid; Kirkland et al., 2010
|
Utah, USA; Wahweap Formation
|
|
|
Lokiceratops rangiformis
|
Loki's horned face shaped like a caribou
|
Herbivore
|
Late Cretaceous (~78 Ma)
|
At Home With Olaf Crossover
|
6.7 meters
|
5 metric tons
|
Valid; Loewen et al., 2024
|
Montana, USA; Judith River Formation
|
|
|
Nasutoceratops titusi
|
Large-nosed horned face
|
Herbivore
|
Late Cretaceous (~76 Ma)
|
At Home With Olaf Crossover
|
4.5–5 meters
|
1.5 metric tons
|
Valid; Sampson et al., 2013
|
Utah, USA; Kaiparowits Formation
|
|
|
Pachyrhinosaurus lakustai
|
Thick-nosed lizard (Lakusta)
|
Herbivore
|
Late Cretaceous (~73.5 Ma)
|
At Home With Olaf Crossover
|
5 meters
|
2 metric tons
|
Valid; Fiorillo & Tykoski, 2008
|
Alberta, Canada & Western North America; Bearpaw & Hell Creek Formations
|
|
|
Sinoceratops zhuchengensis
|
Chinese horned face from Zhucheng
|
Herbivore
|
Late Cretaceous (~73 Ma)
|
At Home With Olaf Crossover
|
6 meters
|
2 metric tons
|
Valid; Xu et al., 2010
|
Shandong, China; Wangshi Group
|
|
|
Styracosaurus ovatus
|
Spiky lizard (oval/egglike)
|
Herbivore
|
Late Cretaceous (~75 Ma)
|
At Home With Olaf Crossover
|
5.5 meters
|
3 metric tons
|
Valid / Disputed Rubeosaurus; Gilmore, 1930
|
Montana, USA; Two Medicine Formation
|
|
|
Torosaurus latus
|
Perforated lizard (wide)
|
Herbivore
|
Late Cretaceous (~68–66 Ma)
|
At Home With Olaf Crossover
|
7.5–9 meters
|
4–6 metric tons
|
Valid; O.C. Marsh, 1891
|
Western North America; Hell Creek Formation
|
|
|
Triceratops horridus
|
Three-horned face (rough)
|
Herbivore
|
Late Cretaceous (~68–66 Ma)
|
At Home With Olaf Crossover
|
8–9 meters
|
6–12 metric tons
|
Valid; O.C. Marsh, 1889
|
Western North America; Hell Creek Formation
|
Cladogram Table: Stegosaurs & Basal Thyreophorans
The comprehensive dataset for the Stegosaurs (the iconic plated and spiked dinosaurs, along with basal thyreophoran ancestors like Scelidosaurus) is formatted below to continue your 2026 At Home With Olaf crossover series catalog:
| Family
|
Species
|
Meaning
|
Diet
|
Epoch/Stage/Years
|
Origin (Franchise)
|
Estimated Length
|
Weight
|
Collected Status/Author/Year
|
Area/Locality/Formation
|
| Stegosauridae
|
Chungkingosaurus jiangbeiensis
|
Chongqing lizard from Jiangbei
|
Herbivore
|
Late Jurassic (~160 Ma)
|
At Home With Olaf Crossover
|
3–4 meters
|
1 metric ton
|
Valid; Dong et al., 1983
|
Chongqing, China; Shangshaximiao Formation
|
|
|
Dacentrurus armatus
|
Pointed tail (armed)
|
Herbivore
|
Late Jurassic (~154–150 Ma)
|
At Home With Olaf Crossover
|
7–8 meters
|
3–5 metric tons
|
Valid; Lucas, 1902 (Owen, 1875)
|
England, France, Portugal; Kimmeridge Clay
|
|
|
Gigantspinosaurus sichuanensis
|
Giant spined lizard from Sichuan
|
Herbivore
|
Late Jurassic (~160 Ma)
|
At Home With Olaf Crossover
|
4.2 meters
|
700 kg
|
Valid; Ouyang, 1992
|
Sichuan, China; Shaximiao Formation
|
|
|
Kentrosaurus aethiopicus
|
Spiked lizard from Africa
|
Herbivore
|
Late Jurassic (~152 Ma)
|
At Home With Olaf Crossover
|
4.5 meters
|
1.1 metric tons
|
Valid; Hennig, 1915
|
Lindi, Tanzania; Tendaguru Formation
|
|
|
Lexovisaurus durobrivensis
|
Lexovi lizard (Gallic tribe)
|
Herbivore
|
Middle Jurassic (~165 Ma)
|
At Home With Olaf Crossover
|
5–6 meters
|
2 metric tons
|
Valid; Hoffstetter, 1957
|
England & France; Oxford Clay Formation
|
|
|
Miragaia longicollum
|
Long-necked beautiful goddess
|
Herbivore
|
Late Jurassic (~150 Ma)
|
At Home With Olaf Crossover
|
5.5–6 meters
|
2 metric tons
|
Valid; Mateus et al., 2009
|
Lisbon, Portugal; Lourinhã Formation
|
|
|
Stegosaurus stenops
|
Roofed lizard (narrow face)
|
Herbivore
|
Late Jurassic (~155–150 Ma)
|
At Home With Olaf Crossover
|
6.5–10.1 meters
|
3.5–5.3 metric tons
|
Valid; O.C. Marsh, 1887
|
Western USA; Morrison Formation
|
|
|
Tuojiangosaurus multispinus
|
Tuo River lizard (many spikes)
|
Herbivore
|
Late Jurassic (~160 Ma)
|
At Home With Olaf Crossover
|
7 meters
|
2.8 metric tons
|
Valid; Dong et al., 1977
|
Sichuan, China; Shangshaximiao Formation
|
|
|
Wuerhosaurus ordosensis
|
Wuerho lizard from Ordos
|
Herbivore
|
Early Cretaceous (~120 Ma)
|
At Home With Olaf Crossover
|
4 meters
|
1.2 metric tons
|
Valid (often split from W. homheni); Dong, 1993
|
Inner Mongolia, China; Ejinhoro Formation
|
| Scelidosauridae
|
Scelidosaurus harrisonii
|
Limb lizard (Harrison family)
|
Herbivore
|
Early Jurassic (~191 Ma)
|
At Home With Olaf Crossover
|
4 meters
|
270 kg
|
Valid / Basal Thyreophoran; Richard Owen, 1859
|
Dorset, England; Charmouth Mudstone
|
Cladogram Table: Ankylosaurs (Nodosaurids & Ankylosaurids)
The comprehensive dataset for the Ankylosaurs (the heavy, armored biological tanks of the Mesozoic) is formatted below to complete the Ornithischian branch of your 2026 At Home With Olaf crossover series catalog:
| Family
|
Species
|
Meaning
|
Diet
|
Epoch/Stage/Years
|
Origin (Franchise)
|
Estimated Length
|
Weight
|
Collected Status/Author/Year
|
Area/Locality/Formation
|
| Nodosauridae
|
Edmontonia rugosidens
|
Edmonton lizard (rough tooth)
|
Herbivore
|
Late Cretaceous (~71.5–71 Ma)
|
At Home With Olaf Crossover
|
6 meters
|
2.3 metric tons
|
Valid; Gilmore, 1930
|
Alberta, Canada; Horseshoe Canyon Formation
|
|
|
Gastonia lorriemcwhinneyae
|
Gaston's lizard (McWhinney family)
|
Herbivore
|
Early Cretaceous (~125 Ma)
|
At Home With Olaf Crossover
|
4.5–5 meters
|
1.9 metric tons
|
Valid; Kinneer et al., 2016
|
Utah, USA; Cedar Mountain Formation
|
|
|
Nodosaurus textilis
|
Knobby lizard (woven)
|
Herbivore
|
Late Cretaceous (~99–97 Ma)
|
At Home With Olaf Crossover
|
4–6 meters
|
3.5 metric tons
|
Valid; O.C. Marsh, 1889
|
Wyoming, USA; Frontier Formation
|
|
|
Panoplosaurus mirus
|
Completely armored lizard (wonderful)
|
Herbivore
|
Late Cretaceous (~76 Ma)
|
At Home With Olaf Crossover
|
5.5–7 meters
|
2.9 metric tons
|
Valid; Lawrence Lambe, 1919
|
Alberta, Canada; Dinosaur Park Formation
|
|
|
Sauropelta edwardsorum
|
Lizard shield (Edwards family)
|
Herbivore
|
Early Cretaceous (~108 Ma)
|
At Home With Olaf Crossover
|
5.2 meters
|
1.5 metric tons
|
Valid; John Ostrom, 1970
|
Montana/Wyoming, USA; Cloverly Formation
|
|
|
Silvisaurus condrayi
|
Forest lizard (Condray family)
|
Herbivore
|
Late Cretaceous (~95 Ma)
|
At Home With Olaf Crossover
|
4 meters
|
1 metric ton
|
Valid; Theodore Eaton, 1960
|
Kansas, USA; Dakota Formation
|
|
|
Struthiosaurus transylvanicus
|
Ostrich lizard from Transylvania
|
Herbivore
|
Late Cretaceous (~70–66 Ma)
|
At Home With Olaf Crossover
|
2–3 meters
|
300–400 kg
|
Valid; Franz Nopcsa, 1915
|
Hunedoara, Romania; Sânpetru Formation
|
| Ankylosauridae
|
Ankylosaurus magniventris
|
Fused lizard (great belly)
|
Herbivore
|
Late Cretaceous (~68–66 Ma)
|
At Home With Olaf Crossover
|
6–11.5 meters
|
4.8–8 metric tons
|
Valid; Barnum Brown, 1908
|
Western North America; Hell Creek Formation
|
|
|
Euoplocephalus tutus
|
Well-armored head (safe)
|
Herbivore
|
Late Cretaceous (~76.4–75.6 Ma)
|
At Home With Olaf Crossover
|
5.5 meters
|
2.5 metric tons
|
Valid; Lawrence Lambe, 1910 (1902)
|
Alberta, Canada; Dinosaur Park Formation
|
|
|
Minmi paravertebral
|
From Minmi Crossing (with paravertebrae)
|
Herbivore
|
Early Cretaceous (~120–112 Ma)
|
At Home With Olaf Crossover
|
2–3 meters
|
300 kg
|
Valid / Basal Ankylosaurian; Ralph Molnar, 1980
|
Queensland, Australia; Bungil Formation
|
|
|
Saichania chulsanensis
|
Beautiful one from Chulsan
|
Herbivore
|
Late Cretaceous (~73 Ma)
|
At Home With Olaf Crossover
|
5.2 meters
|
2 metric tons
|
Valid; Teresa Maryańska, 1977
|
Gobi Desert, Mongolia; Baruungayot Formation
|
|
|
Scolosaurus thronus
|
Thorned stake lizard (the throne)
|
Herbivore
|
Late Cretaceous (~76.5 Ma)
|
At Home With Olaf Crossover
|
5.6 meters
|
2 metric tons
|
Valid; Franz Nopcsa, 1928
|
Alberta, Canada; Dinosaur Park Formation
|
|
|
Talarurus plicatospineus
|
Basket tail (interwoven spines)
|
Herbivore
|
Late Cretaceous (~90 Ma)
|
At Home With Olaf Crossover
|
5 meters
|
2 metric tons
|
Valid; Evgeny Maleev, 1952
|
Gobi Desert, Mongolia; Bayan Shireh Formation
|
|
|
Tarchia teresae
|
Intelligent one (Teresa)
|
Herbivore
|
Late Cretaceous (~72 Ma)
|
At Home With Olaf Crossover
|
5–5.5 meters
|
2.5 metric tons
|
Valid; Penkalski & Barsbold, 2016
|
Gobi Desert, Mongolia; Barun Goyot Formation
|
Cladogram Table: Long-Tailed Pterosaurs
The comprehensive dataset for the primitive, basal, and long-tailed pterosaurs (historically categorized as "rhamphorhynchoids") is formatted below to continue your 2026 At Home With Olaf crossover series catalog:
| Family
|
Species
|
Meaning
|
Diet
|
Epoch/Stage/Years
|
Origin (Franchise)
|
Estimated Length / Wingspan
|
Weight
|
Collected Status/Author/Year
|
Area/Locality/Formation
|
| Dimorphodontidae
|
Dimorphodon macronyx
|
Two-form tooth (large claw)
|
Insectivore / Piscivore / Small Vertebrates
|
Early Jurassic (~195–190 Ma)
|
At Home With Olaf Crossover
|
~1 meter long / 1.4m wingspan
|
1.5–2 kg
|
Valid; Richard Owen, 1859
|
Dorset, England; Blue Lias Formation
|
|
|
Dorygnathus banthensis
|
Spear jaw from Banz
|
Piscivore / Insectivore
|
Early Jurassic (~182–174 Ma)
|
At Home With Olaf Crossover
|
~0.5 meters long / 1.5m wingspan
|
1.5 kg
|
Valid; Johann Wagner, 1860
|
Bavaria, Germany; Posidonia Shale
|
| Eudimorphodontidae
|
Eudimorphodon ranzii
|
True two-form tooth (Ranzi family)
|
Piscivore
|
Late Triassic (~210 Ma)
|
At Home With Olaf Crossover
|
~0.5 meters long / 1m wingspan
|
1 kg
|
Valid; Rocco Zambelli, 1973
|
Lombardy, Italy; Zorzino Limestone
|
| Rhamphorhynchidae
|
Anurognathus ammoni
|
Without tail jaw (Ammon family)
|
Insectivore
|
Late Jurassic (~150 Ma)
|
At Home With Olaf Crossover
|
~9 cm long / 0.5m wingspan
|
40 grams
|
Valid / Basal Anurognathid; Ludwig Döderlein, 1923
|
Bavaria, Germany; Solnhofen Limestone
|
|
|
Rhamphorhynchus etchesi
|
Beak snout (Etches family)
|
Piscivore
|
Late Jurassic (~149 Ma)
|
At Home With Olaf Crossover
|
~1.2 meters long / 1.7m wingspan
|
1–2 kg
|
Valid; O'Sullivan & Martill, 2015
|
Dorset, England; Kimmeridge Clay
|
|
|
Scaphognathus crassirostris
|
Boat jaw (thick snout)
|
Insectivore / Carnivore
|
Late Jurassic (~150 Ma)
|
At Home With Olaf Crossover
|
~0.9 meters long / 0.9m wingspan
|
250 grams
|
Valid; August Goldfuss, 1831
|
Bavaria, Germany; Solnhofen Limestone
|
|
|
Sordes pilosus
|
Filth (hairy)
|
Insectivore / Piscivore
|
Late Jurassic (~155 Ma)
|
At Home With Olaf Crossover
|
~0.4 meters long / 0.6m wingspan
|
200 grams
|
Valid; Aleksandr Sharov, 1971
|
Karatau, Kazakhstan; Madygen Formation
|
Cladogram Table: Short-Tailed Pterosaurs (Pterodactyloids)
The comprehensive dataset for the short-tailed Pterosaurs (comprising advanced, derived pterodactyloids with specialized crests, elongated hand bones, and unique feeding styles) is formatted below to continue your 2026 At Home With Olaf crossover series catalog:
| Family
|
Species
|
Meaning
|
Diet
|
Epoch/Stage/Years
|
Origin (Franchise)
|
Estimated Length / Wingspan
|
Weight
|
Collected Status/Author/Year
|
Area/Locality/Formation
|
| Tapejaridae
|
Caiuajara dobruskii
|
Caiuá old wing (Dobruski family)
|
Frugivore / Herbivore
|
Late Cretaceous (~85–72 Ma)
|
At Home With Olaf Crossover
|
~1.3m long / 2.35m wingspan
|
3.5 kg
|
Valid; Manzig et al., 2014
|
Paraná, Brazil; Goio-Erê Formation
|
| Anhangueridae
|
Cearadactylus atrox
|
Ceará finger (lethal)
|
Piscivore
|
Early Cretaceous (~122–113 Ma)
|
At Home With Olaf Crossover
|
~2.5m long / 4.0–5.5m wingspan
|
15 kg
|
Junior synonym of Brasileodactylus; Leonardi & Borgomanero, 1985
|
Ceará, Brazil; Romualdo Formation
|
| Ornithocheiridae
|
Geosternbergia sternbergi
|
George Sternberg's earth crest
|
Piscivore
|
Late Cretaceous (~88–83 Ma)
|
At Home With Olaf Crossover
|
~3.0m long / 6.0–7.25m wingspan
|
50 kg
|
Disputed (often lumped into Pteranodon); Kellner, 2010
|
Kansas, USA; Niobrara Formation
|
|
|
Pteranodon longiceps
|
Winged without tooth (long head)
|
Piscivore
|
Late Cretaceous (~86–84.5 Ma)
|
At Home With Olaf Crossover
|
~2.4m long / 5.6–6.2m wingspan
|
20–35 kg
|
Valid; O.C. Marsh, 1876
|
Kansas, USA; Niobrara Formation
|
|
|
Quetzalcoatlus lawsoni
|
Feathered serpent god (Lawson family)
|
Small Aquatic Invertebrates / Small Vertebrates
|
Late Cretaceous (~68–66 Ma)
|
At Home With Olaf Crossover
|
~13.5m long / 4.5–25.0m wingspan
|
20–65,000 kg
|
Valid; Andres, 2021
|
Texas, USA; Javelina Formation
|
| Pterodaustriidae
|
Pterodaustro guinazui
|
Southern wing (Guiñazú family)
|
Filter Feeder (Planktivore)
|
Early Cretaceous (~105 Ma)
|
At Home With Olaf Crossover
|
~1.3m long / 2.5m wingspan
|
2–3 kg
|
Valid; José Bonaparte, 1969
|
San Luis, Argentina; Lagarcito Formation
|
Cladogram Table: Sea Monsters & Ancient Predators
The comprehensive dataset for the Sea Monsters and other ancient apex reptiles/predators (including sharks, placoderms, ichthyosaurs, plesiosaurs, mosasaurs, and giant monitor lizards) is formatted below to continue your 2026 At Home With Olaf crossover series catalog:
| Family
|
Species
|
Meaning
|
Diet
|
Epoch/Stage/Years
|
Origin (Franchise)
|
Estimated Length
|
Weight
|
Collected Status/Author/Year
|
Area/Locality/Formation
|
| Otodontidae
|
Otodus megalodon
|
Giant tooth
|
Carnivore / Apex Predator
|
Miocene–Pliocene (~23–3.6 Ma)
|
At Home With Olaf Crossover
|
15–20 meters
|
48–100 metric tons
|
Valid; Agassiz, 1843
|
Worldwide; Bone Valley & Yorktown Formations
|
| Dunkleosteidae
|
Dunkleosteus amblyodoratus
|
Dunkle's bone (blunt spear)
|
Carnivore / Apex Predator
|
Late Devonian (~360 Ma)
|
At Home With Olaf Crossover
|
14 meters
|
13 metric tons
|
Valid; Carr & Hlavin, 2010
|
Ohio/Kentucky, USA; Cleveland Shale
|
| Ichthyosauridae
|
Ichthyosaurus conybeari
|
Fish lizard (Conybeare family)
|
Piscivore / Cephalopods
|
Early Jurassic (~189–182 Ma)
|
At Home With Olaf Crossover
|
2 meters
|
90 kg
|
Valid; Lydekker, 1888
|
Dorset, England; Blue Lias Formation
|
| Leptonectidae
|
Eurhinosaurus huenei
|
Well-nosed lizard (Huene family)
|
Piscivore
|
Early Jurassic (~183–175 Ma)
|
At Home With Olaf Crossover
|
6 meters
|
1 metric ton
|
Valid; Abel, 1909
|
Baden-Württemberg, Germany; Posidonia Shale
|
| Ophthalmosauridae
|
Ophthalmosaurus icenicus
|
Eye lizard (Iceni tribe)
|
Piscivore / Cephalopods
|
Late Jurassic (~165–160 Ma)
|
At Home With Olaf Crossover
|
6 meters
|
3 metric tons
|
Valid; Seeley, 1874
|
Peterborough, England; Oxford Clay
|
| Plesiosauridae
|
Elasmosaurus platyurus
|
Thin-plate lizard (flat-tailed)
|
Piscivore
|
Late Cretaceous (~80.5 Ma)
|
At Home With Olaf Crossover
|
10.3 meters
|
2 metric tons
|
Valid / Elasmosaurid; E.D. Cope, 1868
|
Kansas, USA; Pierre Shale
|
|
|
Plesiosaurus dolichodeirus
|
Near-lizard (long neck)
|
Piscivore
|
Early Jurassic (~199–191 Ma)
|
At Home With Olaf Crossover
|
3.5 meters
|
450 kg
|
Valid; Conybeare, 1824
|
Dorset, England; Blue Lias Formation
|
|
|
Trinacromerum kirki
|
Three-tipped femur (Kirk family)
|
Piscivore
|
Late Cretaceous (~93 Ma)
|
At Home With Olaf Crossover
|
3 meters
|
400 kg
|
Valid / Polycotylid; Cragin, 1888
|
Kansas, USA; Greenhorn Limestone
|
| Pliosauridae
|
Attenborosaurus conybeari
|
Attenborough's lizard (Conybeare)
|
Piscivore
|
Early Jurassic (~190 Ma)
|
At Home With Olaf Crossover
|
4.3 meters
|
1 metric ton
|
Valid / Basal Pliosauroidea; W.J. Sollas, 1881 / Bakker, 1993
|
Dorset, England; Blue Lias Formation
|
|
|
Kronosaurus queenslandicus
|
Kronos lizard (Titan god)
|
Carnivore / Apex Predator
|
Early Cretaceous (~110 Ma)
|
At Home With Olaf Crossover
|
9–10.5 meters
|
9–11 metric tons
|
Valid; Longman, 1924
|
Queensland, Australia; Toolebuc Formation
|
|
|
Liopleurodon ferox
|
Smooth-sided teeth (fierce)
|
Carnivore / Apex Predator
|
Late Jurassic (~162–156 Ma)
|
At Home With Olaf Crossover
|
5–7 meters
|
1–2.5 metric tons
|
Valid; H.E. Sauvage, 1873
|
France & England; Oxford Clay
|
| Mosasauridae
|
Clidastes propython
|
Locked vertebrae (before python)
|
Piscivore / Carnivore
|
Late Cretaceous (~88–82 Ma)
|
At Home With Olaf Crossover
|
3–4 meters
|
100 kg
|
Valid; E.D. Cope, 1868
|
Alabama, USA; Mooreville Chalk
|
|
|
Jormungandr walhallaensis
|
Midgard Serpent from Walhalla
|
Carnivore
|
Late Cretaceous (~80 Ma)
|
At Home With Olaf Crossover
|
7.3 meters
|
1.5 metric tons
|
Valid; Zietlow et al., 2023
|
North Dakota, USA; Pierre Shale
|
|
|
Mosasaurus beaugei
|
Meuse River lizard (Beaugé family)
|
Carnivore / Apex Predator
|
Late Cretaceous (~66 Ma)
|
At Home With Olaf Crossover
|
8–50 meters
|
500 metric tons
|
Valid; Arambourg, 1952
|
Khouribga, Morocco; Ouled Abdoun Basin
|
| Varanidae
|
Megalania priscus
|
Giant ancient roamer
|
Carnivore / Apex Predator
|
Pleistocene (~50k years ago)
|
At Home With Olaf Crossover
|
5.5–7 meters
|
600–1,900 kg
|
Valid (Often Varanus priscus); Richard Owen, 1859
|
Eastern Australia; Darling Downs
|
Cladogram Table: Non-Dinosaurs (Synapsids & Early Mammals)
The comprehensive dataset for the Non-Dinosaurs (including synapsids like pelycosaurs and therapsids, as well as early mammals) is formatted below to continue your 2026 At Home With Olaf crossover series catalog:
| Family
|
Species
|
Meaning
|
Diet
|
Epoch/Stage/Years
|
Origin (Franchise)
|
Estimated Length
|
Weight
|
Collected Status/Author/Year
|
Area/Locality/Formation
|
| Sphenacodontidae
|
Dimetrodon grandis
|
Two-measure tooth (large)
|
Carnivore / Apex Predator
|
Early Permian (~280–270 Ma)
|
At Home With Olaf Crossover
|
3–4.6 meters
|
250 kg
|
Valid; E.D. Cope, 1878
|
Texas/Oklahoma, USA; Red Beds
|
| Lystrosauridae
|
Lystrosaurus curvatus
|
Shovel lizard (curved)
|
Herbivore
|
Late Permian–Early Triassic (~252–250 Ma)
|
At Home With Olaf Crossover
|
0.9–2.5 meters
|
90–200 kg
|
Valid; E.C. Case, 1908
|
Antarctica, South Africa, India; Balfour Formation
|
| Geikiidae
|
Bulbasaurus phylloxyron
|
Bulbous lizard (leaf razor)
|
Herbivore
|
Late Permian (~256 Ma)
|
At Home With Olaf Crossover
|
0.3 meters
|
1–2 kg
|
Valid; Kammerer & Christian, 2017
|
Karoo Basin, South Africa; Vryheid Formation
|
| Alphadontidae
|
Alphadon halleyi
|
First tooth (Halley family)
|
Omnivore / Insectivore
|
Late Cretaceous (~75–66 Ma)
|
At Home With Olaf Crossover
|
0.3 meters (rat-sized)
|
100–300 grams
|
Valid; George Gaylord Simpson, 1929
|
Alberta, Canada; Dinosaur Park Formation
|