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List of African dinosaurs facts for kids

Kids Encyclopedia Facts

Africa is a huge continent with a long history, and it was once home to many amazing dinosaurs! This article lists the non-flying dinosaurs whose bones have been found across Africa.

Africa has a lot of dinosaur fossils, but sometimes the record is incomplete. Still, we have found many dinosaurs from the Triassic and Early Jurassic periods. Some of these early African dinosaurs include Megapnosaurus, Dracovenator, Melanorosaurus, Massospondylus, Euskelosaurus, Heterodontosaurus, Abrictosaurus, and Lesothosaurus.

During the Middle Jurassic period, giant plant-eating dinosaurs called sauropods like Atlasaurus, Chebsaurus, Jobaria, and Spinophorosaurus lived here. A fierce meat-eater called Afrovenator also roamed Africa then.

The Late Jurassic period is well-known in Africa, especially thanks to the amazing Tendaguru Formation in Tanzania. Many dinosaurs have been found there, such as Veterupristisaurus, Ostafrikasaurus, Elaphrosaurus, Giraffatitan, Dicraeosaurus, Janenschia, Tornieria, Tendaguria, Kentrosaurus, and Dysalotosaurus. These dinosaurs seem very similar to those found in the Morrison Formation in the United States and the Lourinha Formation in Portugal. This tells us important things about how dinosaurs spread across the ancient world.

The Early Cretaceous period in Africa is mostly known from the northern part, especially Niger. Dinosaurs like Suchomimus, Elrhazosaurus, Rebbachisaurus, Nigersaurus, Kryptops, Nqwebasaurus, and Paranthodon lived during this time. The Early Cretaceous was a big moment for African dinosaurs. This was when Africa finally broke away from South America, forming the South Atlantic Ocean. This separation meant that African dinosaurs started to become unique to the continent because they were isolated.

The Late Cretaceous period in Africa is also mainly known from North Africa. During the early part of this period, North Africa was home to many different dinosaurs. These included the huge Spinosaurus, Carcharodontosaurus, Rugops, Bahariasaurus, Deltadromeus, Paralititan, Aegyptosaurus, and Ouranosaurus.

List of African Dinosaurs

This table lists many of the dinosaur types (genera) found in Africa.

Name Year Formation Location Cool Facts Images
Aardonyx 2010 Elliot Formation (Early Jurassic, Sinemurian)  South Africa This dinosaur could walk on two legs, but also on all four. Fig 2 - Aardonyx life restoration by Matthew Bonnan.jpg
Abrictosaurus 1975 Elliot Formation (Early Jurassic, Hettangian to Sinemurian)  Lesotho
 South Africa
We know it from two skulls. One has tusks, which might mean males and females looked different. Abrictosaurus dinosaur.png
Adratiklit 2020 El Mers Group (Middle Jurassic, Bathonian)  Morocco This is the oldest known stegosaur. It's related to later European stegosaurs. Adratiklit LM.png
Aegyptosaurus 1932 Bahariya Formation, Continental intercalaire?, Farak Formation? (Late Cretaceous, Cenomanian)  Egypt
 Niger?
Sadly, its main fossil was destroyed in World War II. Aegyptosaurus LM.png
Afromimus 2017 Elrhaz Formation (Early Cretaceous, Aptian to Albian)  Niger It was first thought to be an African ornithomimosaur, but later studies suggested it might be a noasaurid. Afromimus LM.png
Afrovenator 1994 Tiourarén Formation (Middle Jurassic to Late Jurassic, Bathonian to Oxfordian)  Niger Scientists first thought it lived in the Early Cretaceous. Afrovenator reconstruction.png
Ajnabia 2021 Ouled Abdoun Basin (Late Cretaceous, Maastrichtian)  Morocco This was the first hadrosaur (duck-billed dinosaur) found in Africa. It's related to European lambeosaurines. Life reconstruction of Ajnabia odysseus.png
Algoasaurus 1904 Kirkwood Formation (Early Cretaceous, Berriasian to Valanginian)  South Africa Today, we only have a few bones. More might have been used to make bricks before they could be studied! Algoasaurus.jpg
Angolatitan 2011 Itombe Formation (Late Cretaceous, Coniacian)  Angola This was the first non-flying dinosaur found in Angola. Angolatitan LM.png
Antetonitrus 2003 Elliot Formation (Early Jurassic, Hettangian)  South Africa Its limbs were built to carry weight, but its front limbs could still grasp things. Antetonitrus reconstruction.jpg
Arcusaurus 2011 Elliot Formation (Early Jurassic, Hettangian to Pliensbachian)  South Africa It has features of both early and more advanced sauropodomorphs. Arcusaurus LM.png
Atlasaurus 1999 Guettioua Formation (Middle Jurassic, Bathonian to Callovian)  Morocco This sauropod had unusually long legs for its kind. Atlasaurus.jpg
Australodocus 2007 Tendaguru Formation (Late Jurassic, Kimmeridgian to Tithonian)  Tanzania It might be an early member of the euhelopodid group. Australodocus LM.png
Bahariasaurus 1934 Bahariya Formation, Farak Formation? (Late Cretaceous, Cenomanian to Turonian)  Egypt
 Niger?
It was a very large dinosaur, but we only have a few bones of it.
Berberosaurus 2007 Azilal Formation (Early Jurassic, Toarcian)  Morocco This is one of the oldest ceratosaurs we know about. Berberosaurus life restoration 2019.jpg
Blikanasaurus 1985 Elliot Formation (Late Triassic, Norian)  South Africa It was a very strong dinosaur that lived alongside other sauropodomorphs. Blikanasaurus pes.png
Carcharodontosaurus 1931 Bahariya Formation, Chenini Formation?, Continental intercalaire, Echkar Formation, Elrhaz Formation?, Kem Kem Group, Wadi Milk Formation? (Late Cretaceous, Cenomanian)  Algeria
 Egypt
 Morocco
 Niger
 Sudan?
 Tunisia
This was one of the longest meat-eating dinosaurs. Two types (species) are known. Carcharodontosaurus.png
Chebsaurus 2005 Aïssa Formation (Middle Jurassic, Callovian)  Algeria We know it from two young dinosaur specimens. Chebsaurus.jpg
Chenanisaurus 2017 Ouled Abdoun Basin (Late Cretaceous, Maastrichtian)  Morocco It might be a type of abelisaurid dinosaur found only in Africa. Chenanisaurus barbaricus.jpg
Cristatusaurus 1998 Elrhaz Formation (Early Cretaceous, Aptian to Albian)  Niger Many scientists think it's the same as Suchomimus, but some believe it's a separate type. Cristatusaurus lapparenti by PaleoGeek.png
Deltadromeus 1996 Kem Kem Group (Late Cretaceous, Cenomanian)  Morocco Scientists have had different ideas about where it fits in the dinosaur family tree. Deltadromeus skeletal.jpg
Dicraeosaurus 1914 Tendaguru Formation (Late Jurassic, Kimmeridgian to Tithonian)  Tanzania This sauropod had a short neck and ate plants close to the ground. Two types are known. Dicraeosaurus hansemanni22.jpg
Dracovenator 2005 Elliot Formation (Early Jurassic, Hettangian)  South Africa We only have skull pieces, but they show it was related to Dilophosaurus. Dracovenator.jpg
Dysalotosaurus 1919 Tendaguru Formation (Late Jurassic, Kimmeridgian)  Tanzania Many fossils have been found, teaching us about its life, what it ate, and even diseases it had. Dysalotosaurus lettowvorbecki reconstruction.png
Elaphrosaurus 1920 Tendaguru Formation (Late Jurassic, Kimmeridgian)  Tanzania It had a surprisingly shallow chest for a meat-eating dinosaur of its size. Elaphrosaurus.jpg
Elrhazosaurus 2009 Elrhaz Formation (Early Cretaceous, Aptian)  Niger It is very closely related to Valdosaurus. Elrhazosaurus NT.png
Eocarcharia 2008 Elrhaz Formation (Early Cretaceous, Albian)  Niger Its forehead bone was thick, giving it a fierce look. Eocarcharia, improved.png
Eocursor 2007 Elliot Formation (Early Jurassic, Hettangian to Pliensbachian)  South Africa This is one of the most complete early ornithischian dinosaurs known. Eocursor BW.jpg
Eucnemesaurus 1920 Elliot Formation (Late Triassic, Carnian to Norian)  South Africa Some fossils of this dinosaur were first thought to be from a giant herrerasaurid. Eucnemesaurus tibia.jpg
Euskelosaurus 1866 Elliot Formation (Late Triassic, Norian to Rhaetian)  Lesotho
 South Africa
 Zimbabwe
It was first thought to have bow-legs. Euskelosaurus africanus ischia.jpg
Geranosaurus 1911 Clarens Formation (Early Jurassic, Pliensbachian to Toarcian)  South Africa We don't know much about it, but it might be a heterodontosaurid. Geranosaurus atavus mandible.jpg
Giraffatitan 1988 Tendaguru Formation (Late Jurassic, Kimmeridgian to Tithonian)  Tanzania It's often linked to Brachiosaurus, but there are several differences between them. Giraffatitan DB.jpg
Gryponyx 1911 Elliot Formation (Early Jurassic, Hettangian to Sinemurian)  South Africa It's usually seen as the same as Massospondylus, but one study found it to be different. Annals of the South African Museum. Annale van die Suid-Afrikaanse Museum (18234532989).jpg
Heterodontosaurus 1962 Clarens Formation, Elliot Formation (Early Jurassic, Hettangian to Pliensbachian)  South Africa It had three kinds of teeth, including tusks, and a hard beak. Heterodontosaurus restoration.jpg
Igai 2023 Quseir Formation (Late Cretaceous, Campanian to Maastrichtian)  Egypt It's more closely related to European titanosaurs than to those from southern Africa. Igai semkhu.png
Ignavusaurus 2010 Elliot Formation (Early Jurassic, Hettangian)  Lesotho We only know it from one mostly complete young skeleton with a squashed skull. Ignavusaurus Restoration.jpg
Inosaurus 1960 Bahariya Formation?, Eckhar Formation?, Tegama Group? (Early Cretaceous, Albian)?  Niger Very little is known about this dinosaur.
Iyuku 2022 Kirkwood Formation (Early Cretaceous, Valanginian)  South Africa It's special because it's known from a group of mostly baby and young fossils.
Janenschia 1991 Tendaguru Formation (Late Jurassic, Oxfordian to Tithonian)  Tanzania It might be a close relative of Bellusaurus, Haestasaurus, and Tehuelchesaurus. Janenschia.jpg
Jobaria 1999 Tiourarén Formation (Middle Jurassic to Late Jurassic, Bathonian to Oxfordian)  Niger We have an almost complete skeleton of this dinosaur. Jobaria tiguidensis steveoc.jpg
Kangnasaurus 1915 Kalahari Deposits Formation (Early Cretaceous, Aptian)  South Africa It has been compared to dryosaurids, but some studies suggest it belongs to Elasmaria. Iziko Thigh bone kangnasaurus.JPG
Karongasaurus 2005 Dinosaur Beds (Early Cretaceous, Aptian)  Malawi It was described from only a jawbone and separate teeth. Karongasaurus mandible.png
Kentrosaurus 1915 Tendaguru Formation (Late Jurassic, Kimmeridgian to Tithonian)  Tanzania It had two rows of plates that turned into spikes near its tail, and a long spike on each shoulder. Kentrosaurus NT.jpg
Kholumolumo 2020 Elliot Formation (Late Triassic, Norian)  Lesotho Before its official name, it was called "trash heap lizard" because its main fossil was found near a trash heap. Kholumolumo pes.png
Kryptops 2008 Elrhaz Formation (Early Cretaceous, Aptian to Albian)  Niger Some bones thought to be from this abelisaurid might actually be from a carcharodontosaurid. Kryptops life restoration.jpg
Ledumahadi 2018 Elliot Formation (Early Jurassic, Hettangian to Sinemurian)  South Africa This was one of the largest Triassic dinosaurs, weighing about 12 tons! Ledumahadi NT.jpg
Lesothosaurus 1978 Clarens Formation, Elliot Formation (Early Jurassic, Hettangian to Pliensbachian)  Lesotho
 South Africa
It might have been an omnivore, eating meat when plants were scarce. Lesothosaurus diagnosticus.png
Lurdusaurus 1999 Elrhaz Formation (Early Cretaceous, Aptian to Albian)  Niger Its body shape suggests it might have been a plant-eater that lived partly in water, like a hippopotamus. Lurdusaurus1.jpg
Lycorhinus 1924 Elliot Formation (Early Jurassic, Hettangian to Sinemurian)  South Africa It was first mistakenly identified as a type of mammal-like reptile. Lycorhinus portrait.png
Malawisaurus 1993 Dinosaur Beds (Early Cretaceous, Barremian to Aptian)  Malawi Many fossils have been found, including skull bones and armor plates, but they might not all be from the same type of dinosaur. Malawisaurus-head.jpg
Mansourasaurus 2018 Quseir Formation (Late Cretaceous, Campanian)  Egypt This is one of the few land animals known from the Late Cretaceous of northern Africa. Mansourasaurus NT.jpg
Massospondylus 1854 Bushveld Sandstone, Clarens Formation, Elliot Formation, Forest Sandstone (Early Jurassic, Hettangian to Pliensbachian)  Lesotho
 South Africa
 Zimbabwe
Many fossils of this dinosaur have been found. Some were once thought to be different types. Massospondylus reconstruction.png
Mbiresaurus 2022 Pebbly Arkose Formation (Late Triassic, Carnian)  Zimbabwe This is one of the oldest dinosaurs from Africa. Its discovery shows that early dinosaurs lived in high-latitude areas.
Melanorosaurus 1924 Elliot Formation (Late Triassic, Norian)  South Africa It was a strong, four-legged plant-eater. Some fossils might not belong to this type. Melanorosaurus life restoration 2018.jpg
Meroktenos 2016 Elliot Formation (Late Triassic, Norian to Rhaetian)  Lesotho Its thigh bone was unusually strong for its size. Right femur of Meroktenos.png
Mnyamawamtuka 2019 Galula Formation (Late Cretaceous, Campanian to Maastrichtian)  Tanzania Its name means "heart tail" in Swahili, because its tail bones had a heart shape when cut across. Mnyamawamtuka moyowamkia.jpg
Ngwevu 2019 Clarens Formation (Early Jurassic, Pliensbachian to Toarcian)  South Africa It's known from a skull first thought to be Massospondylus, but it has unique features. Ngwevu intloko.jpg
Nigersaurus 1999 Elrhaz Formation (Early Cretaceous, Aptian to Albian)  Niger All its teeth were at the front of its wide jaws, perfect for eating low-growing plants. Nigersaurus model aus.jpg
Nqwebasaurus 2000 Kirkwood Formation (Early Cretaceous, Berriasian)  South Africa This was the first non-flying coelurosaur (a group of meat-eating dinosaurs) found in mainland Africa. Nqwebasaurus.jpg
Orosaurus 1867 Elliot Formation? (Late Triassic to Early Jurassic, Norian to Hettangian)  South Africa It's probably the same as Euskelosaurus.
Ostafrikasaurus 2012 Tendaguru Formation (Late Jurassic, Tithonian)  Tanzania Described from a single tooth, it was thought to be an early spinosaurid, but it might be a ceratosaurid. Ostafrikasaurus holotype tooth by PaleoGeek.png
Ouranosaurus 1976 Elrhaz Formation (Early Cretaceous, Aptian to Albian)  Niger It had long spines on its backbones, which might have supported a sail or hump. Ouranosaurus nigeriensis restoration.png
Paralititan 2001 Bahariya Formation (Late Cretaceous, Cenomanian to Turonian)  Egypt It would have lived in a muddy, coastal area with mangrove trees. Paralititan stromeri.jpg
Paranthodon 1929 Kirkwood Formation (Early Cretaceous, Berriasian to Valanginian)  South Africa Even though we only have fragments, they show it was a stegosaur. Paranthodon.jpg
Pegomastax 2012 Elliot Formation (Early Jurassic, Sinemurian)  South Africa Its jaws and beak suggest it ate tough plants. Pegomastax africana reconstruction.jpg
Plateosauravus 1932 Elliot Formation (Late Triassic, Norian)  South Africa We have many fossils, including those of young dinosaurs. Plateosauravus cullingworthi humerus.jpg
Pulanesaura 2015 Elliot Formation (Early Jurassic, Hettangian to Sinemurian)  South Africa It ate low-growing plants and didn't have the super long neck of later sauropods. Pulanesaura eocollum.jpg
Rebbachisaurus 1954 Kem Kem Group (Late Cretaceous, Cenomanian)  Morocco It had a row of long spines on its backbones, which would have supported a ridge or low sail. Rebbachisaurus BW.jpg
Rugops 2004 Echkar Formation (Late Cretaceous, Cenomanian)  Niger Its skull had two rows of holes on top, which might have held a display structure or armor. Rugops primus scale diagram.jpg
Rukwatitan 2014 Galula Formation (Late Cretaceous, Campanian to Maastrichtian)  Tanzania This is one of the few titanosaurs from central Africa, helping us understand their history. Rukwatitan humerus.jpg
Sauroniops 2012 Kem Kem Group (Late Cretaceous, Cenomanian)  Morocco We only know it from a single, thick forehead bone. Some thought it was Carcharodontosaurus, but this was proven wrong. MPM2594.svg
Sefapanosaurus 2015 Elliot Formation (Early Jurassic, Hettangian)  South Africa It had a unique cross-shaped ankle bone.
Shingopana 2017 Galula Formation (Late Cretaceous, Campanian to Maastrichtian)  Tanzania It is most closely related to titanosaurs found in South America.
Spicomellus 2021 El Mers Group (Middle Jurassic, Bathonian to Callovian)  Morocco This is the oldest ankylosaur known and the first from Africa. Its armor plates were uniquely fused directly to its ribs. Spicomellus afer holotype illustration.png
Spinophorosaurus 2009 Irhazer Shale (Middle Jurassic, Bathonian)  Niger It was first thought to have a "thagomizer" (tail spikes like a stegosaur), but these were actually misidentified collarbones. It ate high-growing plants. Spinophorosaurus restoration.jpg
Spinosaurus 1915 Bahariya Formation, Chenini Formation, Kem Kem Group (Late Cretaceous, Cenomanian to Turonian)  Algeria
 Egypt
 Morocco
 Tunisia
This dinosaur had many features suggesting it lived partly in water, like webbed feet and a paddle-like tail. Scientists still debate if it mainly ate fish or was a general hunter near the shore. Spinosaurus aegyptiacus by PaleoGeek.png
Spinostropheus 2004 Tiourarén Formation (Middle Jurassic to Late Jurassic, Bathonian to Oxfordian)  Niger It's often considered related to Elaphrosaurus, but this is based on a fossil that might not belong to this type. Spinostropheus NT.png
Suchomimus 1998 Elrhaz Formation (Early Cretaceous, Barremian to Albian)  Niger It was similar to Baryonyx but had a low sail on its back. Suchomimus tenerensis by PaleoGeek.png
Tataouinea 2013 Aïn el Guettar Formation (Early Cretaceous, Albian)  Tunisia Its bones had many air sacs, supporting the idea that sauropods had bird-like breathing systems. Tataouinea skeleton.png
Tazoudasaurus 2004 Azilal Formation (Early Jurassic, Toarcian)  Morocco This is one of the few Early Jurassic sauropods known from fairly complete fossils. Tazoudasaurus Scale.svg
Tendaguria 2000 Tendaguru Formation (Late Jurassic, Tithonian)  Tanzania This was the first definite turiasaur found in Africa. Tendaguria.png
Tornieria 1911 Tendaguru Formation (Late Jurassic, Kimmeridgian to Tithonian)  Tanzania It has been placed in different dinosaur groups over time. Tornieria caudal.png
Veterupristisaurus 2011 Tendaguru Formation (Late Jurassic, Kimmeridgian to Tithonian)  Tanzania We know it from a few backbones that are somewhat like those of Acrocanthosaurus. Veterupristisaurus milneri life restoration.jpg
Vulcanodon 1972 Forest Sandstone (Early Jurassic, Sinemurian to Toarcian)  Zimbabwe Teeth from meat-eating dinosaurs were found near its main fossil. Vulcanodon NT.jpg
Wamweracaudia 2019 Tendaguru Formation (Late Jurassic, Tithonian)  Tanzania This was the first definite mamenchisaurid found outside of Asia.

Dinosaur Names Still Being Debated

Sometimes, scientists find fossils that are hard to identify. They might be from a known dinosaur, or they might be a new type. Here are some dinosaur names from Africa that scientists are still discussing:

  • Aetonyx palustris: This might be the same as Massospondylus.
  • Fabrosaurus australis: Some think it's part of a group called fabrosaurids. It might also be the same as Lesothosaurus.
  • Gigantoscelus molengraafi: This is probably the same as Euskelosaurus, but it's hard to be sure.
  • Gyposaurus: The African type, G. capensis, might be a young sauropodomorph.
  • Hortalotarsus skirtopodus: This is a possible synonym of Massospondylus.
  • "Likhoelesaurus": It was thought to be a giant early meat-eating dinosaur, but it might actually be a different type of ancient reptile.
  • Megapnosaurus: The African type M. rhodesiensis might belong to the genus Coelophysis. Another type, M. kayentakatae, probably needs its own name.
  • Nyasasaurus parringtoni: Described in 2013 as the oldest known dinosaur, but both its age and its classification are debated.
  • Sigilmassasaurus brevicollis: This spinosaurid lived at the same time as Spinosaurus. Scientists are unsure if it's a separate type or species.
  • Torvosaurus: Teeth first called Megalosaurus ingens have been moved to this genus, but not as a separate species.

Timeline

This timeline shows when some of the dinosaurs from the list above lived. Time is measured in millions of years ago (mya) along the bottom.

Mesozoic Triassic Jurassic Cretaceous Rugops Chenanisaurus Deltadromeus Bahariasaurus Aegyptosaurus Sigilmassasaurus Paralititan Carcharodontosaurus Rebbachisaurus Spinosaurus Nigersaurus Ouranosaurus Eocarcharia Kryptops Suchomimus Cristatusaurus Lurdusaurus Jobaria Nqwebasaurus Valdosaurus Paranthodon Tendaguria Malawisaurus Giraffatitan Elaphrosaurus Tornieria Australodocus Ceratosaurus Kentrosaurus Dysalotosaurus Janenschia Dicraeosaurus Spinostropheus Afrovenator Chebsaurus Atlasaurus Spicomellus Adratiklit Berberosaurus Gyposaurus Dracovenator Megapnosaurus Lesothosaurus Lanasaurus Lycorhinus Heterodontosaurus Abrictosaurus Massospondylus Stormbergia Tazoudasaurus Eocursor Vulcanodon Plateosauravus Melanorosaurus Euskelosaurus Eucnemesaurus Blikanasaurus Antetonitrus Mesozoic Triassic Jurassic Cretaceous

Images for kids

See also

  • List of African birds
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