Saurophaganax: Profile of a Prehistoric Giant Saurophaganax Saurophaganax (SAWR-oh-FAG-uh-nax; “Lord of lizard-eaters”) is a genus of very large allosaurid theropod dinosaur that lived during the Late Jurassic period, about 155 to 150 million years ago. Its fossils have been found in what is now Oklahoma, in the United States, specifically from the Morrison Formation. The […]
Saurophagus: Profile of a Prehistoric Giant Saurophagus Saurophagus (SAW-ro-FAY-gus; “lizard eater”) is a name originally applied to a genus of giant meat-eating dinosaur from the Late Jurassic period, about 151 million years ago, in what is now North America. Its fossils were first found in Oklahoma. The name Saurophagus was coined in 1931 by paleontologist
Sauroplites: Profile of a Prehistoric Giant Sauroplites Sauroplites (SAWR-oh-PLY-teez; “Reptile Hoplite”) is a genus of nodosaurid ankylosaurian dinosaur that lived during the Early Cretaceous period, approximately 125 to 113 million years ago, in what is now Gansu Province, China. The name Sauroplites, meaning “reptile hoplite,” refers to the extensive bony armor that covered its body,
Sauroposeidon: Profile of a Prehistoric Giant Sauroposeidon Sauroposeidon (SAWR-oh-poh-SY-dun; “Earthquake God Lizard”) Sauroposeidon is a genus of giant sauropod dinosaur that lived during the Early Cretaceous period, approximately 112 to 100 million years ago. Its fossils have been discovered in North America, specifically in Oklahoma, Wyoming, and Texas. The name Sauroposeidon refers to Poseidon, the
Saurornithoides: Profile of the Bird-Like Lizard Saurornithoides Saurornithoides (SAWR-or-nih-THOY-deez; “Bird-like lizard”) is a genus of troodontid theropod dinosaur that lived during the Late Cretaceous period, about 75 to 70 million years ago, in what is now Mongolia. The name highlights its many bird-like features. Saurornithoides was first described by paleontologist Henry Fairfield Osborn in 1924,
Saurornitholestes Saurornitholestes (sawr-ORN-ith-oh-LESS-teez; “Lizard-bird thief”) is a genus of dromaeosaurid theropod dinosaur that lived during the Late Cretaceous period, approximately 77 to 76 million years ago. Its fossils have been discovered in North America, primarily in Alberta, Canada, and Montana, USA. The name Saurornitholestes, meaning “lizard-bird thief,” refers to its predatory nature and its evolutionary
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Saurosphargis Saurosphargis (SAWR-oh-SFAR-jis; “Lizard Armor”) is an extinct genus of armored marine reptile that lived during the Middle Triassic period, about 247 to 242 million years ago. Fossils of this intriguing creature have been discovered in parts of Europe (Poland and Germany) and Asia (China). It was first named and described by paleontologist Friedrich von
Savannasaurus Savannasaurus (sah-VAN-uh-SAWR-us; “Savanna lizard”) is a genus of titanosaurian sauropod dinosaur that lived during the Late Cretaceous period, approximately 98 to 95 million years ago. Its fossils were discovered in the Winton Formation of Queensland, Australia. The name Savannasaurus refers to the savanna country where its remains were found, and the species name, Savannasaurus
Scansoriopteryx: Profile of a Prehistoric Climbing Wing Dinosaur Scansoriopteryx Scansoriopteryx (skan-soree-OP-ter-iks; “Climbing Wing”) is a genus of small, bird-like maniraptoran dinosaur that lived during the Middle or Late Jurassic period, approximately 160 to 154 million years ago. Its fossils were discovered in the Tiaojishan Formation of Liaoning Province, China. Scansoriopteryx is known from very small,
Scelidosaurus: Profile of a Prehistoric Giant Scelidosaurus (SKEL-ih-doh-SAWR-us; “Limb lizard”) Scelidosaurus is a genus of herbivorous armored dinosaur that lived during the Early Jurassic period, approximately 196 to 183 million years ago. Its fossils have been found primarily in what is now England, with some possible remains from Portugal. First described by the renowned British
