Dinosaur World Spinosaurus

Full Introduction to Spinosaurus

I. Basic Information

1. Period of Existence: Albian to Cenomanian stages of the Early Cretaceous, approximately 112 to 93 million years ago.
2. Discovery Location: North Africa (Morocco, Egypt, etc.).
3. Classification: Theropoda → Spinosauridae → Spinosaurus.

II. Iconic Physical Features

1. Large Sail-like Spines on Back: Vertebrae extending upwards into extra-long neural spines, reaching a height of up to 1.6 meters, covered by skin to form a “dorsal sail”. Suggested functions: thermoregulation, species identification, courtship display.
2. Head (Crocodile-like Snout): Slender, low-slung skull, filled with conical, unserrated teeth suitable for catching fish; pressure receptors in the snout could detect prey activity in water.
3. Limbs and Body Shape (Revised by Recent Studies)
   • Estimated body length of 14–16 meters, making it the longest known theropod dinosaur, but with a weight lower than a T-Rex of similar length.
   • Relatively short hind legs, strong forelimbs with large claws; fossil evidence suggests highly aquatic, adapted for wading and diving to catch fish.
4. Tail: Tail bones with flattened, elongated projections forming a paddle-like tail similar to a crocodile or eel, used for underwater propulsion.