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Dinosaur Dictionary (A-Z)

  • Aardonyx
    Aardonyx is a genus of basal sauropodomorph dinosaurs that lived during the Early Jurassic period in South Africa. The name Aardonyx is derived from the Afrikaans word “aard,” …
  • Abelisaurus: Overview, Size, Habitat, & Other Facts
    The Abelisaurus, meaning “Abel’s lizard,” stands as a fascinating carnivorous dinosaur that roamed South America’s ancient landscapes. It lived during the Late Cretaceous period, estimated to be around …
  • Achelousaurus
    Achelousaurus is a genus of centrosaurine ceratopsid dinosaur that lived during the Late Cretaceous Period of what is now North America, about 74.2 million years ago. The first …
  • Acheroraptor
    Acheroraptor is an extinct genus of dromaeosaurid theropod dinosaur that lived during the Late Cretaceous period in Montana, North Dakota, and South Dakota, USA. It contains a single …
  • Achillobator
    Achillobator is a genus of large dromaeosaurid theropod dinosaur that lived during the Late Cretaceous period about 96 million to 89 million years ago in what is now …
  • Acrocanthosaurus: Overview, Size, Habitat, & Other Facts
    Acrocanthosaurus, a genus of large theropod dinosaur, roamed North America approximately 115 to 105 million years ago during the early Cretaceous period. Known for its distinctive high spinal …
  • Adasaurus
    Adasaurus is a genus of dromaeosaurid dinosaur that lived in Asia during the Late Cretaceous period about 70 million years ago. The genus is known from two partial …
  • Adelolophus
    Adelolophus is a genus of lambeosaurine dinosaur that lived during the Upper Cretaceous period in what is now the United States. The type specimen of Adelolophus is A. …
  • Aegyptosaurus
    Aegyptosaurus is a genus of sauropod dinosaur that lived in Africa during the Late Cretaceous Period, around 95 million years ago. The name Aegyptosaurus is derived from the …
  • Afrovenator
    Afrovenator is a genus of theropod dinosaur that lived during the Middle to Late Jurassic Period in what is now Niger, Africa. Its name means “African hunter” and …
  • Agilisaurus
    Agilisaurus is a genus of small herbivorous dinosaur that lived during the Middle Jurassic Period in what is now eastern Asia. The name Agilisaurus derives from the Latin …
  • Alamosaurus: Overview, Size, Habitat, & Other Facts
    Alamosaurus, a fascinating member of the Titanosauria group, was a colossal dinosaur reaching impressive sizes. It is notable for its long neck and tail, which it used to …
  • Albertaceratops
    Albertaceratops was a genus of herbivorous ceratopsian dinosaur that lived during the Late Cretaceous period, about 80 to 75 million years ago. It was discovered in Alberta, Canada, …
  • Albertosaurus: Overview, Size, Habitat, & Other Facts
    The Albertosaurus, a name meaning “Alberta lizard,” was a remarkable genus of tyrannosaurid theropod dinosaurs that roamed the Earth during the late Cretaceous period. A close relative of …
  • Alectrosaurus
    Alectrosaurus is a genus of theropod dinosaur that lived in Asia during the Late Cretaceous period, approximately 96 million years ago. It was a medium-sized, bipedal carnivore that …
  • Alioramus
    Alioramus is a genus of theropod dinosaurs that lived during the Late Cretaceous period, approximately 70 million years ago. It was first discovered in the Nemegt Formation of …
  • Allosaurus: Overview, Size, Habitat, & Other Facts
    The Allosaurus was a giant carnivorous dinosaur that roamed the Earth during the late Jurassic period, about 155 to 150 million years ago. Known for its large skull, …
  • Alvarezsaurs: Overview, Size, Habitat, & Other Facts
    Alvarezsaurs were a distinctive group of small theropods that roamed the earth during the Late Cretaceous period, about 86 to 83 million years ago. Known for their slender, …
  • Amargasaurus: Overview, Size, Habitat, & Other Facts
    The Amargasaurus, notable for the distinctive spines lining its neck and back, roamed the woodlands of South America during the Early Cretaceous period. This fascinating dinosaur was relatively …
  • Ammosaurus
    Ammosaurus is a genus of extinct herbivorous dinosaur that lived during the Early Jurassic period, approximately 195-180 million years ago. The fossils of Ammosaurus were discovered in the …
  • Ampelosaurus
    Ampelosaurus is a titanosaurian sauropod dinosaur that lived during the Late Cretaceous Period in what is now France. Its remains were first discovered in 1989 in a bonebed …
  • Amphicoelias: Overview, Size, Habitat, & Other Facts
    Amphicoelias, a fascinating genus of herbivorous sauropod dinosaur, roamed the Earth approximately 150 million years ago during the Tithonian stage of the Late Jurassic Period. Fossils of this …
  • Amygdalodon
    Amygdalodon is a genus of basal sauropod that lived in the Middle Jurassic period of Argentina, about 180-172 million years ago. Its name, which means “almond tooth,” refers …
  • Anchiceratops
    Anchiceratops is an extinct genus of ceratopsian dinosaur that lived during the Late Cretaceous period, approximately 74-70 million years ago. It was a medium-sized, heavily built, quadrupedal herbivore …
  • Anchiornis: Overview, Size, Habitat, & Other Facts
    Anchiornis huxleyi was a small paravian dinosaur, a group that includes birds and their closest non-avian dinosaur relatives. With its discovery in the Tiaojishan Formation of China, it …
  • Anchisaurus
    Anchisaurus is a genus of dinosaur that lived during the Early Jurassic period, approximately 200 to 195 million years ago. It was a basal sauropodomorph dinosaur, meaning it …
  • Ankylosaurus: Overview, Size, Habitat, & Other Facts
    The Ankylosaurus, with its distinctive armor and club-like tail, is a fascinating subject within the world of dinosaurs. It roamed North America approximately 70 million to 66 million …
  • Anserimimus
    Anserimimus is a genus of ornithomimid theropod dinosaur that lived in the Late Cretaceous Period, approximately 84-66 million years ago. Its name means “goose mimic,” which refers to …
  • Antarctosaurus
    Antarctosaurus is a genus of titanosaurian sauropod dinosaur that lived in South America during the Late Cretaceous Period. The name Antarctosaurus means “southern lizard,” and it was one …
  • Apatosaurus: Overview, Size, Habitat, & Other Facts
    The Apatosaurus, once synonymous with the iconic Brontosaurus, is a genus of herbivorous sauropod dinosaurs that roamed North America during the late Jurassic Period, between about 156 million …
  • Aquatic Dinosaurs: Fact or Fiction?
    Aquatic dinosaurs are a fascinating subject of study for many paleontologists and dinosaur enthusiasts. While most people associate dinosaurs with land-based creatures, there were some species that lived …
  • Aragosaurus
    Aragosaurus is a genus of sauropod dinosaur that lived during the Early Cretaceous period. The fossils of this dinosaur were discovered in Galve, province of Teruel, in the …
  • Aralosaurus
    Aralosaurus is a genus of hadrosaurid dinosaur that lived in what is now Kazakhstan during the Late Cretaceous period, approximately 94-84 million years ago. The dinosaur is known …
  • Archaeoceratops
    Archaeoceratops is a genus of small ceratopsian dinosaur that lived during the Early Cretaceous period, about 126 to 100 million years ago. It was discovered in north-central China …
  • Archaeopteryx: Overview, Size, Habitat, & Other Facts
    Archaeopteryx holds a special place in the history of life on Earth, representing a fascinating intersection between dinosaurs and birds. This ancient creature, often referred to as the …
  • Archaeornithomimus
    Archaeornithomimus is a genus of theropod dinosaur that lived during the Late Cretaceous period, approximately 95 to 70 million years ago. It was first discovered in the 1960s …
  • Argentinosaurus
    Argentinosaurus is a genus of sauropod dinosaur that roamed the earth during the Late Cretaceous period in what is now Argentina. Although only fragmentary remains of Argentinosaurus have …
  • Argentinosaurus: Overview, Size, Habitat, & Other Facts
    Argentinosaurus stands out in the annals of paleontology as one of the most enormous land animals to have ever roamed the earth. Discovered in Argentina in 1987, this …
  • Arrhinoceratops
    Arrhinoceratops is a genus of herbivorous ceratopsian dinosaur that lived during the Late Cretaceous period, approximately 72-67 million years ago. The name Arrhinoceratops is derived from the Greek …
  • Atlascopcosaurus
    Atlascopcosaurus is a genus of herbivorous dinosaur that lived during the Early Cretaceous period in Australia. This small ornithopod was characterized by its beaked mouth, hoof-like feet, and …
  • Aucasaurus
    Aucasaurus is a genus of medium-sized theropod dinosaur that lived during the Late Cretaceous period, around 85-70 million years ago. It was first discovered in Argentina and is …
  • Austrosaurus
    Austrosaurus was a large herbivorous dinosaur that roamed the earth during the early Cretaceous period, approximately 112 to 99 million years ago. It was a member of the …
  • Avaceratops
    Avaceratops is a genus of small herbivorous ceratopsian dinosaurs that lived during the Late Cretaceous Period in what is now the Northwest United States. Most fossils come from …
  • Avimimus
    Avimimus was a small, bird-like dinosaur that lived during the Late Cretaceous period, approximately 70 million years ago. Its name means “bird mimic,” which is fitting given its …
  • Bactrosaurus
    Bactrosaurus is a genus of herbivorous hadrosauroid dinosaur that lived in Asia during the Late Cretaceous period, about 96-85 million years ago. It was one of the earliest …
  • Bagaceratops
    Bagaceratops is a genus of small protoceratopsid dinosaurs that lived in Asia during the Late Cretaceous period, around 72 to 71 million years ago. Despite being one of …
  • Bambiraptor
    Bambiraptor is a small, bird-like dinosaur that lived during the Late Cretaceous period, around 84-71 million years ago. It was first discovered in Montana in 1995 by a …
  • Barapasaurus
    Barapasaurus is a genus of basal sauropod dinosaur that lived during the Early to Middle Jurassic age. It is one of the earliest known sauropods and was discovered …
  • Barosaurus: Overview, Size, Habitat, & Other Facts
    The Barosaurus, an impressive member of the long-necked sauropods, roamed the plains of North America during the Late Jurassic period. It’s recognized for its enormous size and significant …
  • Baryonyx
    Baryonyx is a genus of theropod dinosaur that lived during the Early Cretaceous period, approximately 130-125 million years ago. The first skeleton was discovered in 1983 in the …
  • Baryonyx: Overview, Size, Habitat, & Other Facts
    Baryonyx was a formidable carnivore that roamed the earth during the Early Cretaceous period, about 130 to 125 million years ago. Fossil evidence shows that it had distinctive …
  • Baryonyx: Overview, Size, Habitat, & Other Facts
    Baryonyx was a notable theropod dinosaur that roamed the Earth during the Early Cretaceous period, roughly 130-125 million years ago. It belonged to the Spinosauridae family, which were …
  • Becklespinax
    Becklespinax is a genus of large predatory theropod dinosaur that lived during the Early Cretaceous period, around 140 to 133 million years ago. It was first discovered in …
  • Beipiaosaurus
    Beipiaosaurus is a genus of therizinosauroid theropod dinosaurs that lived in Asia during the Early Cretaceous period. Its fossils were first discovered in 1996 and were formally described …
  • Bellusaurus
    Bellusaurus is a genus of sauropod dinosaur that lived in the Middle Jurassic period, approximately 180-159 million years ago. Its fossils were first discovered in the Shishugou Formation …
  • Best Museums for Dinosaurs & Fossils
    Dinosaurs have always fascinated people of all ages. From their massive size to their unique features, these prehistoric creatures have captured our imagination. Fortunately, there are many museums …
  • Borealopelta
    Borealopelta, meaning “Northern shield,” is a genus of nodosaurid ankylosaur that lived during the Lower Cretaceous period in what is now Alberta, Canada. The species, Borealopelta markmitchelli, was …
  • Borogovia
    Borogovia is a small theropod dinosaur genus that lived during the Late Cretaceous Period, approximately 75 million years ago. The genus was named after the fictional creatures, the …
  • Brachiosaurus: Overview, Size, Habitat, & Other Facts
    Brachiosaurus was one of the largest and most well-known dinosaurs that ever lived. This giant herbivore roamed the earth during the Late Jurassic period, approximately 156 to 145 …
  • Brachylophosaurus
    Brachylophosaurus was a mid-sized herbivorous dinosaur that lived during the Late Cretaceous period, about 81-76.7 million years ago. It was a member of the hadrosaur family and is …
  • Brachytrachelopan
    Brachytrachelopan is a genus of sauropod dinosaur that lived in the Late Jurassic period, approximately 160-150 million years ago. It is known for having the shortest neck of …
  • Brontosaurus: Overview, Size, Habitat, & Facts
    The Brontosaurus, often synonymous with the image of giant dinosaurs, is a fascinating creature that walked the Earth during the Late Jurassic to Early Cretaceous periods. Known for …
  • Buitreraptor
    Buitreraptor is a small theropod dinosaur that lived in the Late Cretaceous period, around 99-90 million years ago. It was first discovered in Argentina in 2004 and has …
  • Camarasaurus
    Camarasaurus is a genus of quadrupedal, herbivorous dinosaurs that lived during the Late Jurassic epoch, between 155 and 145 million years ago. It is the most common North …
  • Camouflage Adaptations in Dinosaurs: Any Evidence?
    Dinosaurs are known for their incredible adaptations, from sharp teeth and claws to armored plates and long necks. But were there any dinosaurs that evolved specialized adaptations for …
  • Camptosaurus
    Camptosaurus is a genus of plant-eating, beaked ornithischian dinosaurs that lived during the Late Jurassic period of western North America and possibly also Europe. The name Camptosaurus means …
  • Carcharodontosaurus
    Carcharodontosaurus is a genus of carnivorous theropod dinosaurs that lived in North Africa during the Late Cretaceous period. The name Carcharodontosaurus means “shark-toothed lizard,” which is fitting given …
  • Carnivore Dinosaurs: What are Carnivorous Dinosaurs?
    Carnivorous dinosaurs, also known as meat-eating dinosaurs, were a diverse group of prehistoric reptiles that lived during the Mesozoic Era. These dinosaurs were known for their sharp teeth, …
  • Carnotaurus: Overview, Size, Habitat, & Other Facts
    The Carnotaurus, a large theropod dinosaur, intrigues paleontologists with its distinctive features and the mysteries surrounding its existence. Standing out due to its notable horns and remarkably small …
  • Caudipteryx
    Caudipteryx is a genus of theropod dinosaurs that lived during the early Cretaceous period, approximately 125 million years ago. The name “Caudipteryx” means “tail feather” in Latin, which …
  • Cedarpelta
    Cedarpelta is an extinct genus of basal ankylosaurid dinosaur that lived during the Late Cretaceous period in what is now the Mussentuchit Member of the Cedar Mountain Formation. …
  • Centrosaurus
    Centrosaurus is a genus of ceratopsian dinosaur that lived during the Late Cretaceous period, about 76-74 million years ago. It is known for its distinctive appearance, with a …
  • Ceratosaurus: Overview, Size, Habitat, & Other Facts
    The Ceratosaurus was a notable predator that roamed the Earth during the Late Jurassic period, about 150 to 145 million years ago. Its name, meaning “horned lizard”, comes …
  • Cetiosauriscus
    Cetiosauriscus is a genus of sauropod dinosaur that lived during the Middle Jurassic period in what is now England. It was first discovered in May 1898 by clay …
  • Cetiosaurus
    Cetiosaurus was a genus of herbivorous sauropod dinosaurs that lived during the Middle Jurassic Period, approximately 168 million years ago. The name Cetiosaurus is derived from the Greek …
  • Chaoyangsaurus
    Chaoyangsaurus, also known as “Chaoyang lizard,” is a genus of herbivorous dinosaur that lived during the Late Jurassic period, around 152-145 million years ago. It was first discovered …
  • Charonosaurus
    Charonosaurus is a genus of dinosaur that lived during the Late Cretaceous period, about 70 million years ago. The fossils of Charonosaurus were discovered in 2000 by a …
  • Charonosaurus vs Parasaurolophus
    Charonosaurus and Parasaurolophus are two species of hadrosaurids that roamed the earth during the Late Cretaceous period. One of the most striking features of these species is their …
  • Chasmosaurus: Overview, Size, Habitat, & Other Facts
    Chasmosaurus, a ceratopsid dinosaur from the Late Cretaceous Period, stands out as a fascinating subject for both paleontologists and enthusiasts. With its distinctive large openings in its frill, …
  • Chindesaurus
    Chindesaurus is an extinct genus of basal saurischian dinosaur that lived in the Late Triassic period, approximately 213-210 million years ago. It is known to have lived in …
  • Chinshakiangosaurus
    Chinshakiangosaurus is a genus of dinosaur that lived during the Late Jurassic period, approximately 150 million years ago. It is a basal sauropod, meaning that it is one …
  • Chirostenotes
    Chirostenotes is a genus of theropod dinosaur that lived during the Late Cretaceous period, about 76.5 million years ago. It was a relatively small dinosaur, estimated to be …
  • Chubutisaurus
    Chubutisaurus is a genus of dinosaur from the Early Cretaceous Period that lived in South America. It is classified as a sauropod, specifically one of the titanosaurs. The …
  • Chungkingosaurus
    Chungkingosaurus was a herbivorous dinosaur that lived during the Late Jurassic period, around 155-150 million years ago. It is a member of the Stegosauria and is one of …
  • Citipati: Overview, Size, Habitat, & Other Facts
    The Citipati is a captivating genus within the diverse world of dinosaurs, belonging to the oviraptorosaur group. These creatures roamed the earth during the Late Cretaceous period, estimated …
  • Closest Living Relative to Dinosaurs
    Dinosaurs may have gone extinct millions of years ago, but their legacy lives on through their closest living relatives. These creatures share some of the same features and …
  • Coelophysis: Overview, Size, Habitat, & Other Facts
    Coelophysis, a name resonating with ancient echoes of the Triassic period, refers to a slender-bodied dinosaur that roamed the land approximately 215 to 208.5 million years ago. Renowned …
  • Coloradisaurus
    Coloradisaurus is a genus of sauropodomorph dinosaur that lived during the Late Triassic period in what is now La Rioja Province, Argentina. It is known from two specimens …
  • Compsognathus: Overview, Size, Habitat, & Other Facts
    Compsognathus, a small theropod dinosaur, has captured the imagination of paleontologists and the public alike with its diminutive stature and fascinating evolutionary story. It roamed the Earth during …
  • Conchoraptor
    Conchoraptor is a small dinosaur that lived during the Late Cretaceous period, approximately 81-76 million years ago. Its remains have been found in Mongolia, and it is known …
  • Confuciusornis
    Confuciusornis is a genus of extinct birds that lived during the Early Cretaceous period, approximately 125 to 120 million years ago. These crow-sized birds had a toothless beak, …
  • Corythosaurus: Overview, Size, Habitat, & Other Facts
    The Corythosaurus, often recognized by its distinctive helmet-like crest, was a fascinating creature that roamed the earth during the Late Cretaceous period, approximately 77 to 75 million years …
  • Cretaceous Period Dinosaurs
    During the Cretaceous Period, which lasted from 145 to 66 million years ago, dinosaurs roamed the Earth. This period was the last of the three periods of the …
  • Cryolophosaurus
    Cryolophosaurus is a genus of large theropod dinosaur known from only a single species, Cryolophosaurus ellioti, from the early Jurassic of Antarctica. It was one of the largest …
  • Dacentrurus
    Dacentrurus is a genus of stegosaurian dinosaurs that lived during the Late Jurassic to Early Cretaceous period in Europe. Its name comes from the Greek words “daktylos” meaning …
  • Dakosaurus: Overview, Size, Habitat, & Other Facts
    Dakosaurus, affectionately known among paleontology enthusiasts as the ‘tearing lizard,’ was a formidable marine reptile from the Jurassic era. It possessed a unique combination of features, such as …
  • Daspletosaurus
    Daspletosaurus was a genus of tyrannosaurid dinosaur that lived during the Late Cretaceous Period. The name Daspletosaurus means “frightful lizard,” and it is not hard to see why. …
  • Datousaurus
    Datousaurus is a genus of sauropod dinosaur that lived during the Middle Jurassic period, approximately 170 million years ago. The name Datousaurus means “big head lizard” or “chieftain …
  • Deinonychus: Overview, Size, Habitat, & Other Facts
    The Deinonychus, a notable figure in the world of paleontology, was a swift and agile predator that roamed North America during the Early Cretaceous Period. With a name …
  • Deltadromeus
    Deltadromeus is a genus of theropod dinosaur that lived in Northern Africa during the mid-Cretaceous period. It had long, slender hind limbs, indicating that it was a swift …