All about dinosaurs, fossils and prehistoric animals by Everything Dinosaur team members.
15 09, 2011

Planet Dinosaur Carcharodontosaurus

By | September 15th, 2011|Dinosaur Fans, Everything Dinosaur News and Updates, Main Page|0 Comments

“Shark-Tooth Lizard” – Carcharodontosaurus

For a long time, this particular dinosaur was the only known representative of the carcharodontosaurids, for a time it was described as a Megalosaurus, falling into that particular taxonomic waste basket.  However, it was Ernst Stromer who revised the initial study and changed this dinosaur’s name to Carcharodontosaurus saharicus.  The slightly curved and serrated teeth which were long but quite thin reminded Stromer of the teeth of sharks, hence the name “shark-tooth lizard” as Stromer stated, the name was chosen as a result of “its mainly Carcharodon-like teeth”.

Carcharodontosaurus

As the BBC television programme alluded to in last night’s episode “Lost World” a great deal has been discovered about dinosaurs in the last ten years or so.  The carcharodontids are no exception with a number of large theropods from the Southern Hemisphere now classified as members of this family, even one or two from Laurasia (northern latitudes) are possible members of this family,

Carcharodontosaurus fossils have been found in North Africa and indicate a large theropod, perhaps measuring more than 14 metres in length, larger than a T. rex just as the planet dinosaur Carcharodontosaurus was portrayed in last night’s programme.

Everything Dinosaur’s Illustration of C. saharicus

Illustration credit: Everything Dinosaur

An expedition to Morocco by the Chicago Field Museum in the mid 1990s discovered more fossils of this dinosaur including skull material.  The skull and jaw bones found were some of the biggest theropod skull bones ever found and this dinosaur’s reputation as a giant was sealed.

One of the more unusual aspects of the carcharodontosaurids is that their fossil remains are often found in association with other large theropods.  Carcharodontosaurus for example, shared its environment with the large coelurosaur Deltadromeus.  It also lived alongside Spinosaurus and the abelisaur Rugops as depicted by the BBC in their programme last night.

This suggests that these carnivores may have been exploiting different food resources and filling different niches in the eco-system.  This would have reduced inter-specific competition.  Perhaps some of these creatures were diurnal hunters whilst others hunted at night.  This could help explain some of the ornate eyebrow crests and ridges above the eyes of these predators.  These features could have shielded a predator’s eyes from strong sunlight helping the animal see in poor light conditions.

Carcharodontosaurus Scale Drawing

A new Carcharodontosaurus species has been described. This dinosaur appeared in "Planet Dinosaur".

Fearsome “Shark Lizard”.  A scale drawing of Carcharodontosaurus.  Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur.

Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur

With the newly discovered Tyrannotitan, Eocarcharia, Mapusaurus as well as Giganotosaurus it seems like palaeontologists are going to have their hands full trying to classify all these meat-eaters.

To view models and replicas of large theropod dinosaurs including Carcharodontosaurus (whilst stocks last): Scale Models of Carcharodontosaurus and Other Theropods (CollectA).

15 09, 2011

A Review of the Kaprosuchus Prehistoric Crocodile Model

By | September 15th, 2011|Dinosaur Fans, Everything Dinosaur videos, Main Page, Product Reviews|0 Comments

“Boar Croc” Reviewed  – in Praise of the Safari Ltd Wild Safari Dinos Model

The welcome introduction of a Kaprosuchus prehistoric crocodile model into the Wild Safari Dinos model range  provides collectors and dinosaur fans with the chance to own a replica of a terrestrial crocodile.  Kaprosuchus, a fearsome predator of the Niger during the Cretaceous.  It allows us at Everything Dinosaur the opportunity to compare and contrast the land-based croc. Kaprosuchus with the aquatic crocodyliform Deinosuchus, which is also available as a model from Safari Ltd (September 2011).

Kaprosuchus Prehistoric Crocodile Model

In our video review, we discuss the fossil evidence which suggests that Kaprosuchus was a terrestrial carnivore – the stereoscopic vision, the robust, impact resistant snout and the strong neck are all characteristics of a predator that fed on land.  We pay tribute to the Wild Safari Dinos Kaprosuchus, it is a prehistoric crocodilian that has proved to be very popular with dinosaur fans and model collectors.

The Everything Dinosaur Review of Kaprosuchus 

Everything Dinosaur reviews the Wild Safari Prehistoric World Kaprosuchus model.

Video credit: Everything Dinosaur

A spokesperson from Everything Dinosaur commented that it was wonderful to see model manufacturers such as Safari Ltd increasing the number of crocodilians and other non-dinosaur archosaurs within their replica ranges.

To view Safari Ltd models and replicas available from Everything Dinosaur: Ancient Crocodiles and Other Prehistoric Animal Figures (Safari Ltd).

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