Dinosaur Dictionary (A-Z)

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,” …

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 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 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 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, 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 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 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 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 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 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, 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 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, …

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 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 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 …

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 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, …

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 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 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, 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 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 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 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 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 …

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 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 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 …

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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 …

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 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 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 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 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 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 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 …

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, 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 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 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 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 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 …

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 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 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 …

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 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 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 …

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 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 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 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 …

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 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 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, 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 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 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, 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 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 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 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 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 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 …

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 …

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, 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 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, 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 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 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, …

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 …

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 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 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, 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 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 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 …

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 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 …

Dicraeosaurus is a genus of herbivorous sauropod dinosaur that lived in what is now Tanzania during the Late Jurassic period. The name “Dicraeosaurus” means “double-forked lizard,” which refers …