Spinosaurus Facts for Kids

A Picture of a Spinosaurus
  • Species Type: Spinosaurus aegyptiacus
  • Type of Dinosaur: Theropod
  • Period: Cretaceous
  • Diet: Meat (carnivorous)
  • Life Span: 30 years (roughly)
  • Length: Between 41 to 59 feet
  • Weight: Between 7 to 23 tons

19 Spinosaurus Facts for Kids

  1. The Spinosaurus was first discovered in 1912 in Egypt.
  2. The Spinosaurus was given the scientific name Spinosaurus aegyptiacus by Ernst Stromer in 1915.
  3. The name Spinosaurus means: “Spine Lizard”.
  4. The name Spinosaurus is pronounced: “SPY-nuh-SAWR-us”.
  5. The Spinosaurus was part of a group of dinosaurs known as theropods.
  6. The Spinosaurus lived during the Cretaceous period between 93 and 112 million years ago.
  7. The Spinosaurus roamed North Africa based on where fossilized skeletons have been discovered.
  8. Estimates put the weight of a Spinosaurus between 7 and 23 tons.
  9. Estimates put the length of a Spinosaurus between 41 and 59 feet.
  10. The skull of the Spinosaurus was over five feet in length and contained many sharp knife-like teeth.
  11. The Spinosaurus was a carnivorous predator who ate meat.
  12. The Spinosaurus was an apex predator of its time.
  13. The Spinosaurus is the largest carnivorous dinosaur known to exist.
  14. Some paleontologists believe the Spinosaurus had pressure sensors on its snout, just like an alligator, to detect potential prey moving in the water.
  15. Some paleontologists believe the sail on the back of a Spinosaurus was to help it regulate its body temperature.
  16. Some paleontologists believe the Spinosaurus was able to swim.
  17. The original fossilized bones of a Spinosaurus found by Ernst Stromer were destroyed in 1944 by Allied bombing during World War 2.
  18. The holotype specimen for the Spinosaurus is BSP 1912 VIII 19.
  19. The Jurassic Park 3 movie featured the Spinosaurus.

Additional Resources on Spinosaurus

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