Spell By Dinosaur Dictionary

Name Achelousaurus Period Late Cetaceous (80 million years ago) Era Mesozoic Where North America Size 6 meters (20 feet) Weight   Ate Herbivore   The Achelousaurus lived during the Late Cretaceous Period in Montana - about 80 million years ago.   The Achelousaurus was a herbivore and had parrot like features with a beak and two horns. Name Albertosaurus Period Late Cetaceous (70 million years ago) Era Mesozoic Where North America: Alberta Canada Size 7-10 meters (up to 33 feet) Weight   Ate Carnivore   Albertosaurus: Named for being from Alberta, Canada, this close cousin to the T-Rex might have been significantly smaller than its cousin but was also just as fierce with its sharp saw teeth designed to easily tear apart meat. Name Allosaurus Period Late Jurassic (155 million years ago) Era Mesozoic Where North America: Utah, Colorado and other states Size 8-12 meters (over 30 feet) Weight   Ate Carnivore   Because scientists have found so many Allosaurus bones, it has been easy to make scientific inferences about how they grew and what they liked to feed on.  It's generally agreed that Allosaurus was a solitary carnivorous hunter, feeding mainly on other large (and most likely) herbivorous dinosaurs. Name Barosaurus Period Late Jurassic (150 million years ago) Era Mesozoic Where North America: particularly Utah Size 27-28 meters long (89 feet) Weight   Ate Herbivore   Barosaurus means "heavy lizard" - and that's because the barosaurus was gigantic.  Barosaurus was a herbivore  but a lot of things about the barosaurus are unknown, like whether or not they stood up on their back legs to reach the tops of trees.  Some scientists think the barosaurus might have had up to 8 hearts - so that blood could be pumped up its neck, which was the longest part of its whole body. Name Carnotaurus Period Late Cretaceous (80 million years ago) Era Mesozoic Where South America: Argentina Size 9 meters long (30 feet) Weight   Ate Carnivore   The Carnotaurus lived in South America and had four fingers, bumpy skin and horns that protruded from its head, which is why its name means, "meat-eating bull."  Carnoaurus was a carnivorous predator. Name Corythosaurus Period Late Cetaceous (80 million years ago) Era Mesozoic Where North America: Alberta Canada Size 7-10 meters (up to 33 feet) Weight Ate Herbivore   Corythosaurus name means, "helmet lizard" - because the shape of its head looked like the helmets that soldiers wore in ancient Corinth, Greece.  Corythosaurus had a duck-bill. Name Dilophosaurus Period Early Jurassic - about 195 million years ago Era Mesozoic Where North America and China Size 20 feet long Weight About 1/2 ton Ate Carnivore   Because it was misrepresented in popular dinosaur films, the Dilophosaurus is often misunderstood.  Sensational in its own right, the Dilophosaurus probably traveled in packs, hunting small animals. Name Edmontonia Period About 70 million years ago Era Mesozoic Where North America and Canada Size About 7 meters long Weight   Ate Herbivore   This peaceful herbivore was well protected against opportunistic predators by its hard-shelled skin armor, which  functioned like a tank for Edmontonia.  Edmontonia was named after and originally found in the Edmonton Formation in Canada. Name Einiosaurus Period Late Cretaceous - about 75 million years ago Era Mesozoic Where North America, specifically only in Montana Size Up to 6 meters (approximately 20 feet) Weight   Ate Herbivore   The Blackfeet Indians of Montana were instrumental in naming this gigantic herbivore after the "buffalo," as its name literally means "Buffalo or Bison Lizard." Name Fukuiraptor Period Early Cretaceous - 119 million years ago Era Mesozoic Where Japan Size 4+ meters long Weight   Ate Carnivore   Found exclusively in Japan, there has been some initial debate about the overall family of dinosaurs that Fukuiraptor belonged to.  Currently, Fukuiraptor is thought to be a relative of Allosaurus but still has more raptor-like features. Name Gargoyleosaurus Period Late Jurassic - around 150 million years ago Era Mesozoic Where North America, specifically Wyoming Size Between 3 to 4 meters long Weight   Ate Herbivore   Not much is written about Gargoyleosaurus, other than it had a beak-like mouth with few teeth and like many other herbivores it had armor plating and spikes that would help to protect it against predators. Name Hypsilophodon Period Early Cretaceous Era Mesozoic Where Europe Size 2-3 meters long Weight   Ate Herbivore - but could have been omnivorous   Found in Europe, including Spain and England, the Hypsilophodon flourished in its time. Recent discoveries indicate that it most likely traveled in herds and carefully cared for its young. Name Iguanodon Period Early Cretaceous - approximately 130 million years ago Era Mesozoic Where Europe and possibly North America and Africa Size 10 meters long Weight 3.5 tons Ate Herbivore   Perhaps Iguanodon's most interesting feature was its bony spike thumb, which scientists argue was either used for defense or to help it dig up or cut down plants that it fed on. Name Indosaurus Period Late Cretaceous - approximately 69 million years ago Era Mesozoic Where India (it's name is a good clue) Size 9-10 meters (approximately 30 feet) Weight Approximately 700kg (over 1500lb's) Ate Carnivore   Our Indosaurus is illustrated with horns above its eyes.  However, fossil evidence has not definitively proved that the horns actually existed.  A possible dinosaur cousin is the Carnotaurus of South America. Name Jaxartosaurus Period Late Cretaceous - approximately 91-82 million years ago Era Mesozoic Where China and Kazakhstan Size 9 meters (approximately 30 feet) Weight   Ate Herbivore   The Jastosaurus gets it name from the Jaxartes River in Kazakhstan.   The purpose of it's most distinguishing feature, a large helmet-like crest, is debated amongst scientists as ether being used as a vocal or visual form of communication. Name Kentrosaurus Period Late Jurassic - 155 million years ago Era Mesozoic Where Africa: Tanzania Size 5 meters (approximately 16 feet) Weight Unknown - possibly 2 tons Ate Herbivore   Kentrosaurus means "Prickle Lizard" but make no mistake about it - we think the prickles were as sharp as razors and as pointy as ice-picks! A close cousin to Kentrosaurus is the Stegosaurus.  They shared many similar qualities, especially their armor plating that protected them from predators. Name Labocania Period Late Cretaceous (70 million years ago) Era Mesozoic Where Mexico (Baja) Size 6 meters Weight   Ate Carnivore   Laboania shared many features with its probable cousin, the Tyrannosaurus, like it's knife-like teeth and small fingers.  Not much more is known about the Labocania, as very few fossils have been found. Name Lambeosaurus Period Late Cretaceous (approximately 75 million years ago) Era Mesozoic Where Canada (Alberta), USA (Montana) and Mexico (Baja) Size 15 meters (50 feet long) Weight   Ate Herbivore   Laboania shared many features with its probable cousin, the Tyrannosaurus, like it's knife-like teeth and small fingers.  Not much more is known about the Labocania, as very few fossils have been found. Name Leaellynasaura Period Late Cretaceous (approximately 75 million years ago) Era Mesozoic Where Australia (Dinosaur Cove) Size 60-90 cm long Weight   Ate Herbivore   Earth looked very different during the time that Leaellynasaura lived.  Australia was closer to Antarctica at the time, which meant that it lived in a much colder climate than most other dinosaurs.  Leaellynasaura was a tiny dinosaur with very large eyes that feasted on plants. Interesting fact about Leaellynasaura: Australian Paleontologists Thomas and Patricia Rich named the Leaellynasaura after their daughter, Leaellyn Rich. Name Majungathalous (also known as Majungasaurus) Period Late Cretaceous (approximately 70-65 million years ago) Era Mesozoic Where Africa: Madagascar Size 6-8 meters long Weight   Ate Carnivore   The Majungathalous is a cousin of South American Carnotaurus.  The Majungathalous is named after the Mahajanga Province in Madagascar, where many of its fossil remains have been found. Name Nemegtosaurus Period Late Cretaceous (approximately 110 million years ago) Era Mesozoic Where Mongolia Size 15-16 meters long Weight   Ate Herbivore   Named after the Nemegt Basin of the Gobi Desert. There haven't been that many fossils of Nemegtosaurus found and so there is still a lot to learn about this giant plant eater.  We know it had peg-shaped teeth and a long head, like a lot of dinosaurs similar to it. Name Neovenator Period Early Cretaceous (approximately 110 million years ago) Era Mesozoic Where Europe: UK: England: Isle of Wight Size 7-8 meters long Weight   Ate Carnivore   It's name means, "New Hunter" and it's one of the most popular dinosaurs in Europe. Name Ornitholestes Period Late Jurassic (approximately 144 million+ years ago) Era Mesozoic Where USA: Wyoming and Utah Size 2 meters long Weight   Ate Carnivore   Ornitholestes small but very sharp teeth and although our illustration shows Ornitholestes with a crest above its nose, it has been debated that it might have been a broken nasal bone mistaken in the fossil for a crest.  Until more intact fossils are found, the debate as to exactly what Ornitholestes (and many other dinosaurs) will continue. Name Ozraptor Period Mid-Jurassic (approximately 170 million years ago) Era Mesozoic Where Australia Size 3 meters long Weight   Ate Carnivore   Ozraptor's gets it name from "Oz" a nickname for Australian and "raptor," which means thief - put them together and you get: "Australian Thief." Name Pawpawsaurus Period Early Cretaceous (approximately 110 million years ago) Era Mesozoic Where USA: Texas Size 4-5 meters long Weight   Ate Herbivore   Described as armored and stout, the Pawpawsaurus undoubtedly knew how to defend itself.  Pawpawsaurus fossils have been found in Tarrant County, Texas.  Named after the marine Paw Paw formation. Name Quantassaurus Period Early Cretaceous (approximately 115 million years ago) Era Mesozoic Where Australia Size 1-2 meters long Weight   Ate Herbivore   During the time that Quantassaurus roamed Australia, the continent was close to the Artic Circle and therefore it was a much colder climate , the winters were darker and longer.  The size of a modern day kangaroo, the Quantassaurus was most likely a very fast runner, with a pug-nose and huge eyes that gave it keen sight during the long polar winter nights of the Artic. Name Rhabdodon Period Late Cretaceous (approximately 70 million) Era Mesozoic Where Europe Size 4-5 meters long Weight   Ate Herbivore   Rhabdodon means "fluted tooth."  Not much more is known about Rhabdodon other than it is of the family of Iguanodontids and it was much smaller than its distant relatives, perhaps because it lived in a more isolated fashion. Remains have been found on islands of Romania and in France and Spain. Name Stegosaurus Period Late Cretaceous (approximately 155-145 million) Era Mesozoic Where USA: Colorado, Utah and possibly Europe Size 9 meters long, 4 meters in height Weight   Ate Herbivore   The Stegosaurus liked to eat plants --and if you can imagine that the Stegosaurus was about the size of a school bus, then you can also imagine that they always finished their green veggies. The Stegosaurus had small heads and "plates" along their spines that scientists speculate might have been used as a personal air conditioner to keep them cool in the tropical climate of the late Jurassic Period when they lived.  They also has four spikes on their powerful tails - to ward off predators while they peacefully chomped away at the plants they liked to eat. Name Tyrannosaurus, T-Rex Period Late Cretaceous (approximately 65 million years ago) Era Mesozoic Where Canada and USA: Montana, Colorado and South Dakota Size 12-13 meters long Weight   Ate Carnivore   If you live in Montana, Colorado, South Dakota or certain parts of Canada, chances are a Tyrannosaurus Rex (T-Rex), might have walked or even been born, right where you live today.  But that would have been more than 65 million years ago, during the late Cretaceous Period of the Mesozoic Era. The meaning of Tyrannosaurus is "Tyrant Lizard" and "Rex" means King.  If that doesn't tell you all you need to know about this most reputable of dinosaurs, then perhaps the fact that they were more than 40 feet long and had teeth the size and sharpness of steak knives will give you an indication that they were both formidable and fierce. Name Utahraptor Period Early Cretaceous (approximately 125 million years ago) Era Mesozoic Where USA: Utah Size 5-6 meters long, 2 meters tall Weight 700 kilograms Ate Carnivore   The Utahraptor was formidable, with a pair of large hook claws that could slash, puncture or suffocate its prey. Name Velociraptor Period Late Cretaceous (approximately 85 million years ago) Era Mesozoic Where China, Mongolia Size 2-3 meters long and .5 meters high Weight 15 kilograms Ate Carnivore   The movie Jurassic Park had caused a lot of public confusion about exactly how big Velociraptors were: on average, they weren't half the size of a Labrador Retriever.  The Velociraptor was every bit as deadly however, with hooked claws on its hind feet, which it would thrust at prey.  They were also most likely very fast and smart. Name Wannanosaurus Period Late Cretaceous (approximately 80 million years ago Era Mesozoic Where China: Anhul Region Size a little less than one meter Weight   Ate Herbivorous or Omnivorous   The Wannanosaurus is another good example of a small dinosaur, perhaps the size of a large dog. Name Xenotarsosaurus Period Late Cretaceous (approximately 85-80 million years ago) Era Mesozoic Where Argentina Size 6-7 meters long Weight   Ate Carnivore   Little is known about the Xenotarsosaurus.  It is speculated that it might have been a scavenger because its bones indicate that it couldn't run very fast. Name Yangchuanosaurus Period Late Jurassic (approximately 65 million years ago) Era Mesozoic Where China Size 7-10 meters long (depending on species) Weight   Ate Carnivore   Some artist renditions of Yangchuanosaurus resemble an Allosaurus or even the much larger Tyrannosaurus (no relation).  However, if the China had a comparable dinosaur in terms of ferocity, sharpness of teeth and deadly talons, then surely Yangchuanosaurus is it. Name Yaverlandia Period Early Cretaceous (approximately 125 million years ago) Era Mesozoic Where UK: England: Isle of Wight Size Approximately 1 meter long Weight   Ate Herbivore   Not much is known about the small Yaverlandia. It most likely walked on its hind legs and is generally thought to be primitive.  However, as with most dinosaur research, the more that is discovered, the more it becomes clear that many dinosaurs were smarter than expected. Name Zuniceratops Period Late Cretaceous (approximately 90 million years ago) Era Mesozoic Where USA: New Mexico Size 3-4 meters long, approximately 1 meter high Weight Approximately 150 kilograms Ate Herbivore   The Zuniceratops was the size and approximate weight of an English Bull Mastiff.  Zuniceratops is thought to be the ancestor to much larger and similar dinosaurs and they probably traveled in herds.