Dinosaurs A:Z | A
Dinosaurs: Allosaurus (Different Lizard)
Last updated: 8th Jan 2025 Allosaurus was a large, meat-eating dinosaur that lived during the Late Jurassic period, about 152 to 145 million years ago. It roamed what is now North America, Europe, and Africa. Length: Allosaurus could grow up to 12 meters (39 feet) long. Height: It stood about 5 meters (16.5 feet) tall at the hips. Weight: Allosaurus weighed approximately 2000 kg to 4000 kg. Allosaurus had a fierce and unique appearance: • Teeth: Long, sharp, and serrated teeth, 5 to 10 cm (2 to 4 inches) long, perfect for slicing through meat. • Arms and claws: Short, strong arms with three-fingered hands, each finger ending in a sharp claw up to 25 cm (10 inches) long. • Head: A large skull about 90 cm (3 feet) in length with short ridges above its eyes. • Body: Powerful hind legs for running and a long tail for balance. Generative AI Notification: Some elements of this image have been created or enhanced using AI technology. To find out how we create all our dinosaurs, click here.What is Allosaurus?
How big was Allosaurus?
Appearance
Pronounced: AL-oh-SAW-rus
Allosaurus was a carnivore, meaning it only ate meat. It likely preyed on large dinosaurs like Stegosaurus and Diplodocus. Allosaurus might have also scavenged dead or dying animals. Allosaurus fossils have been found in the USA (Colorado, Utah, Wyoming, and Montana), Portugal, Tanzania, and Germany. It lived in areas with forests and open plains, where many plant-eating dinosaurs roamed. • Meaning of Allosaurus: "Different lizard" – named for its unique backbone structure. • Speed: Allosaurus could run up to 21 miles per hour, which is about as fast as a car driving through a neighborhood. • Group hunting: Evidence suggests Allosaurus may have hunted in packs to take down larger prey. • State fossil: Allosaurus is the state fossil of Utah. • Parental care: Some evidence suggests Allosaurus may have cared for its young in nests. Allosaurus belonged to the Allosauridae family, a group of large theropod dinosaurs. This family also included Giganotosaurus and Carcharodontosaurus. Allosaurus was distantly related to raptors and tyrannosaurs.
Allosaurus Facts
Name Means: "Different
Lizard"
Length: 25 - 39 feet (7 - 12 m)
Height: 10 - 14 feet (3 - 4.5 m)
Weight: 1 - 5 tons (1,000 - 4,000 kg)
Diet: Carnivore (Meat)
Time: Late Jurassic - 150 million years ago
Habitat: Open
Countryside
Fossils Found: Australia, Western North AmericaWhat did Allosaurus eat?
Where did Allosaurus live?
Interesting facts
Which family of Dinosaurs did Allosaurus belong to?
Allosaurus was a biped, meaning it walked on two legs. Its strong hind legs and long tail helped it move quickly and balance while running.
The purpose of the ridges above Allosaurus' eyes is not entirely clear, but they may have helped to protect its eyes during fights or hunts.
Allosaurus had several unique features:
• Teeth: Long, sharp, and serrated teeth for slicing meat.
• Arms and claws: Short, strong arms with sharp claws for holding prey.
• Ridges: Distinctive ridges above its eyes.
• Flexible jaw: Its jaws could open wide, helping it to bite off large chunks of meat.
Allosaurus and Tyrannosaurus were not closely related. Though both were large, bipedal carnivorous dinosaurs, they came from different families. Tyrannosaurs had stronger jaws and teeth and lived millions of years later than Allosaurus.
Q1: What is an Allosaurus?
A1: Allosaurus was a large, carnivorous dinosaur that lived during the Late Jurassic Period, around 157-152 million years ago. Its name means "different lizard" due to its unique vertebrae.
Q2: How big was the Allosaurus?
A2: Allosaurus could grow up to 28 feet long and weigh around 2.5 tons. It had a large skull with dozens of sharp teeth, long arms with three-fingered hands, and powerful legs.
Q3: What did Allosaurus eat?
A3: Allosaurus was a carnivore, meaning it ate meat. It likely preyed on large herbivorous dinosaurs like Stegosaurus and sauropods, using its sharp teeth and strong jaws to catch and eat its prey.
Q4: Where did Allosaurus live?
A4: Allosaurus lived in what is now North America, particularly in the flood plains of western North America. Fossils have been found in the Morrison Formation, a famous dinosaur fossil site.
Q5: How many species of Allosaurus are there?
A5: There are two recognized species of Allosaurus: Allosaurus fragilis and the newly discovered Allosaurus jimmadseni. Allosaurus jimmadseni is the older species, having evolved at least 5 million years before Allosaurus fragilis.
Q6: What makes Allosaurus jimmadseni different from Allosaurus fragilis?
A6: Allosaurus jimmadseni had a shorter, narrower skull with low facial crests and a relatively narrow back of the skull. It was also more lightly built compared to Allosaurus fragilis, suggesting different feeding behaviors.
Q7: Why is Allosaurus important to scientists?
A7: Allosaurus is one of the best-known Jurassic theropods and provides valuable insights into the ecosystem of the Late Jurassic Period. Its fossils help scientists understand dinosaur behavior, evolution, and the environment they lived in.
Q8: Where can I see an Allosaurus skeleton?
A8: You can see Allosaurus skeletons in several museums, including the Smithsonian's National Museum of Natural History, where the Allosaurus fragilis skeleton is the type specimen for the species.
Q9: How did Allosaurus hunt its prey?
A9: Allosaurus likely used a combination of ambush and active hunting strategies. It may have used its strong legs to sprint short distances and its sharp teeth to deliver powerful bites. Some scientists believe Allosaurus could have hunted in packs, making it easier to take down large prey.
Q10: What did Allosaurus look like?
A10: Allosaurus had a large head with a pair of bony ridges above its eyes, which may have been used for display or species recognition. It had a muscular body, long tail, and relatively short arms with three-fingered hands. Its skin was likely covered in scales, similar to other theropods.
How did Allosaurus move?
Why did Allosaurus have ridges above its eyes?
What were the unique features of Allosaurus?
Was Allosaurus related to Tyrannosaurus?
Allosaurus FAQ
You may also be intrested in:
Tags: How big was Allosaurus, Allosaurus size, where does Allosaurus rex live, how tall are Allosaurus, what does Allosaurus mean, Allosaurus, Allosaurus facts