
Dinosaur profile
Dilophosaurus
Dilophosaurus wetherilli
Pronunciation
die-LOAF-oh-sore-us
two-ridged lizard
Large Theropod
6m
Early Jurassic
190 million years ago
USA
DietCarnivore
About Dilophosaurus
Dilophosaurus is a genus of large, predatory dinosaur that lived during the Early Jurassic Period, about 193-183 million years ago. It was a member of the group of dinosaurs called the theropods, which includes some of the most fearsome predatory dinosaurs ever to have lived. Dilophosaurus was a large, agile dinosaur, with an estimated length of about 20-23 feet and a weight of up to 1 ton. It had a long, slender head with sharp teeth and powerful jaw muscles, as well as long, slender legs and a long, whip-like tail. It had a pair of distinctive crests on its head, which may have been used for display or for attracting mates.
Dilophosaurus is known from a number of well-preserved fossil specimens, including several complete skeletons and skulls, which have helped paleontologists learn more about the anatomy and behavior of this dinosaur. It is known from North America and China, and is named after the Greek words 'di,' meaning 'two,' and 'lophos,' meaning 'crest,' in reference to the two distinctive crests on its head. Dilophosaurus was a predatory dinosaur, feeding on a variety of prey including other dinosaurs, reptiles, and possibly even early mammals. It is considered a primitive theropod, and is thought to be closely related to other members of this group such as Coppens spoof, Coppens spoof, and Coppens spoof. Dilophosaurus is important because it is one of the earliest known theropods, and provides insight into the early evolution and diversity of this group of dinosaurs.
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