The Spinosaur (Spinosaurus - meaning 'spine lizard') is a genus of theropod dinosaur which lived in what is now North Africa, from the lower Albian to lower Cenomanian stages of the Cretaceous period. This equates to about 112 to 97 million years ago. The Spinosaur was was first discovered from Egyptian remains discovered in 1912 and described by German paleontologist Ernst Stromer in 1915.
Unfortunately, the original remains were destroyed in World War II, but additional material has come to light in recent years. However it is unclear whether one or two species are represented in the fossils reported in the scientific literature. The best known species is S. aegyptiacus from Egypt, although a potential second species S. maroccanus has been recovered from Morocco.
The skull of Spinosaurus was long and narrow like that of a modern crocodilian. Spinosaurus is thought to have eaten fish, and evidence suggests that it lived both on land and in water like a modern crocodilian. The distinctive spines of Spinosaurus, which were long extensions of the vertebrae, grew to at least 1.65 meters (5.4 ft) long and were likely to have had skin connecting them, forming a sail-like structure, although some authors have suggested that the spines were covered in fat and formed a hump. Multiple functions have been put forward for this structure, including the regulation of body heat and both sexual and aggressive display.
For related articles click onto:
Can Flying Fish really Fly?
Cheetah Facts, Videos and Photographs
Coelacanth
Flying Fish
Dinosaur: Archaeopteryx
Dinosaur: Did Pterosaurs hang upside down?
Dinosaur: The Pterodactyl
Dinosaur: The Spinosaur
Dinosaur Facts and Movie clips - The Spinosaur
Dinosaur Plants: The Cycad
Dinosaur Plants: The Sago Palm
Gorilla
How Fast is a Cheetah?
How fast is a Snail?
How Long can a Flying Fish Fly for?
Living Dinosaur Shark - The frilled shark
LIVING DINOSAURS - The Coelacanth
Panda
Rango Facts and Movie Videos
Terra Nova - Dinosaur Trailer
THE COELACANTH - a living, breathing fossil
What do Pandas eat?
What is the Difference between African and Indian Elephants?
What is the Difference Between Alligators and Crocodiles?
What is the Difference between a Fruit and a Vegetable?
What is the Difference between a Frog and a Toad?
What is the Difference between Currants, Raisins and Sultanas?
What is the Difference between a Moth and a Butterfly?
What is the Difference between a Zebra and a Horse?
What is the Worlds Fastest Animal?
What is the Worlds Largest Amphibian?
What is the Worlds Largest Eagle?
What is the Worlds Largest Flower?
What is the World's Largest Spider?
What is the Worlds Fastest Fish?
What is the Worlds most Poisonous Frog?
What is the World's most Poisonous Snake?
What is the Most Poisonous Spider?
Cars 2 - facts and movie videos
Kung Fu Panda
Rango - facts and movie videos
Based on an article by http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spinosaurus
Photo care of http://www.nachtkabarett.com/babalon/topic/3785--What-is-your-fav-animal-/page:6
No comments:
Post a Comment