DINOSAUR: The Spinosaur

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First discovered from Egyptian remains in 1912, 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. Perhaps its most identifyable feature is the row of large spines that extend from the vertebrae along its back. These spines could be up to six feet long and are commonly believed to have been covered by a membrane of skin to form a sail-like fin. This may have been used to help regulate body heat, and there is some evidence to suggest that the sail was able to be extended or at least partially collapsed.

The Spinosaurus is probably best known as the star of Jurassic Park 3 and is currently the largest of all known carnivorous dinosaurs, even larger than Tyrannosaurus and Giganotosaurus. Estimates published in 2005 and 2007 suggest that it was 12.6 to 18 metres (41 to 59 ft) in length and 7 to 20.9 tonnes (7.7 to 23.0 short tons) in weight. However this does mean that the spinosaur was built much lighter than either of the other two giant carnosaurs - presumably for speed.

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.

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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