Types of Dinosaurs.
HomeDinosaurs › Torvosaurus

Torvosaurus

Mounted Diplodocus skeleton, an extremely long Jurassic sauropod
Photo: Dosseman, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Pronunciation
TOR-vuh-SAWR-us
Name means
Savage Lizard
Diet
Carnivore
Posture
Bipedal
Period
Late Jurassic
Length
29.5 feet (9 meters)
Height
14 feet (4.3 meters)
Weight
12,000 pounds (5,440 kg)

Order: Saurischia · Suborder: Theropoda · Infraorder: Ceratosauria · Family: Megalosauridae

Remains of Torvosaurus have been found in Colorado and Wyoming. It was a powerfully built flesh eater with savage claws. Its structure was similar to that of Megalosaurus and itis probably related to Afrovenator.

Restoration of Spinosaurus, a large sail-backed predatory dinosaur
Photo: Brondon Bobah, CC BY 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

More Jurassic-period dinosaurs →

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 Torvosaurus mean?

The name Torvosaurus means “Savage Lizard”. It is pronounced TOR-vuh-SAWR-us.

When did Torvosaurus live?

Torvosaurus lived during the Late Jurassic.

Was Torvosaurus a carnivore or a herbivore?

Torvosaurus was a carnivore.

How big was Torvosaurus?

Torvosaurus was about 29.5 feet (9 meters) long, around 14 feet (4.3 meters) tall, weighing up to 12,000 pounds (5,440 kg).

Related dinosaurs

Other dinosaurs from the Megalosauridae family.

Compare the dinosaurs

See size, diet, period and family for hundreds of dinosaurs side by side.

Compare dinosaurs →

Get updates by email

Occasional, useful, no spam.

We'll email you useful info and the occasional offer. Unsubscribe anytime.
We use cookies to measure site traffic. See our Privacy Policy.