Afrovenator
Order: Saurischia · Suborder: Theropoda · Infraorder: Tetanurae
Discovered in Niger in the southern Sahara Desert in Africa, Afrovenatorshows some similarities in appearance to Torvosaurus; e. g. similar forelimbs. It possessed 14 blade-shaped teeth. Known from a partial skeleton and a nearly complete skull, Afrovenator was an exciting find because dinosaur fossils are scarce in northern Africa.
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Reference background: Natural History Museum, London — Dinosaurs; Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History — Dinosaurs; American Museum of Natural History — Dinosaurs & Fossils. Figures are typical published ranges; taxonomy follows the source era and modern consensus is noted where it differs. See our sources & fact-check policy.
Frequently asked questions
What does Afrovenator mean?
The name Afrovenator means “African Hunter”. It is pronounced AF-roh-VEN-uh-tehr.
When did Afrovenator live?
Afrovenator lived during the Early Cretaceous.
Was Afrovenator a carnivore or a herbivore?
Afrovenator was a carnivore.
How big was Afrovenator?
Afrovenator was about 29.5 feet (9 meters) long, around 10 feet (3.0 meters) tall, weighing up to 3,000 pounds (1,361 kg).
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