Qianzhousaurus
Order: Saurischia · Suborder: Theropoda · Infraorder: Tyrannosauroidea · Family: Tyrannosauridae (family not firmly confirmed)
Qianzhousaurus was a tyrannosaur from the Late Cretaceous of China, nicknamed 'Pinocchio rex' because of its unusually long, slender snout. Unlike the deep, robust skulls of Tyrannosaurus, its long, narrow jaws suggest it may have specialised in catching smaller, faster prey. Its discovery helped confirm that long-snouted tyrannosaurs were a genuine group rather than just oddly shaped individuals. As a member of the tyrannosaur family, it would have been a swift and capable predator in its environment, filling a slightly different role from its bulkier relatives.
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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 Qianzhousaurus mean?
The name Qianzhousaurus means “Qianzhou lizard”.
When did Qianzhousaurus live?
Qianzhousaurus lived during the Late Cretaceous.
Was Qianzhousaurus a carnivore or a herbivore?
Qianzhousaurus was a carnivore.
How big was Qianzhousaurus?
Qianzhousaurus was about 26-30 feet (8-9 meters) long.
Related dinosaurs
Other dinosaurs from the Tyrannosauridae family.
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