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Acrocanthosaurus

Dinosaur profile

Acrocanthosaurus

Acrocanthosaurus atokensis

CarnivoreEarly CretaceousLarge Theropod

Pronunciation

ah-kroh-kan-tho-SORE-us

Meaning

high-spined lizard

Type

Large Theropod

Length

12 Meters

Period

Early Cretaceous

Years

115 - 105 million years ago

Location

Canada, USA

Diet

Carnivore

About Acrocanthosaurus

Acrocanthosaurus is a genus of theropod dinosaur that lived during the Early Cretaceous Period, about 112-110 million years ago. It was a large, predatory dinosaur, with an estimated length of about 43 feet and a weight of about 5-6 tons. Acrocanthosaurus had a long, narrow skull with sharp teeth, and a pair of long, curved spines on its back, which may have been used for display or to support a fleshy crest. It also had powerful, muscular legs with large claws, which it probably used for hunting and climbing.

Acrocanthosaurus was discovered in the United States in the 1950s, and was named by paleontologists in 1950. It is considered a member of the allosauroid group of theropod dinosaurs, which also includes species such as Allosaurus and Carcharodontosaurus. Acrocanthosaurus is known from a number of well-preserved fossil specimens, including several partial skeletons and skulls, which have helped paleontologists learn more about the anatomy and behavior of this dinosaur.

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