Allosaurus fragilis

NPS/Bob Walters Tess Kissinger

 

Allosaurus, meaning "different delicate reptile," is a theropod (meat-eating dinosaur) that probably ate other smaller dinosaurs. Its teeth were up to 3 in (7.6 cm) long and serrated like steak knives for cutting flesh. Adults hunted by overpowering their prey, possibly in small groups. Juvenile Allosaurus relied on their longer limb bones that were better adapted to running in order to hunt smaller vertebrates. Even though Allosaurus grew up to 30 ft (8.5 m) in length, it was not the largest predator of the time. Its sharp teeth and hook-shaped claws did, however, make Allosaurus a nightmare for many creatures of the Jurassic.

 

Allosaurus Facts

Allosaurus is the most common predatory dinosaur from the Morrison Formation
Allosaurus is Greek for “different lizard”
Allosaurus is the state fossil of Utah!
Adult Allosaurus grew up to lengths of 30 feet

 

Allosaurus fragilis is one of the largest predators in the Morrison. Notice how large even just the skull is in comparison to a human!

Allosaurus fragilis is the most common species of carnivorous theropod dinosaur in the Morrison Formation from the Late Jurassic of North America. Although only a few of its bones are exposed in the present day quarry at Dinosaur, one of the best skeletons ever found came from the Carnegie Quarry including a remarkably preserved skull that is currently on exhibit in the Quarry Exhibit Hall.

Dinosaur skulls are rarely preserved because they are made of very thin bone that is easily crushed. Skulls are mostly hollow to hold soft tissues that cannot be preserved. Fine sediments compress the skull to flatten it the way you might step on an empty tin can. These skulls may be preserved, but some of the three-dimensional structure is lost. The sand-sized sediments in the Carnegie Quarry are fine enough to preserve bone in great detail but coarse enough to resist compression of the skulls.

Allosaurus fragilis is one of three theropods found in the Carnegie Quarry, the others being Ceratosaurus sp. and Torvosaurus tanneri.

This specimen of Allosaurus fragilis has attracted the attention of paleontologists around the world and has been referenced in many scientific studies. You don't, however, have to be a scientist to marvel at this beautiful specimen. The real skull is on display at the Quarry Exhibit Hall.

 

Jurassic Fact

Almost 75% of all theropods (meat-eating dinosaurs) found in the Morrison Formation are Allosaurus!

 

A mounted cast of an Allosaurus fragilis is on display at the Quarry Exhibit Hall.

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