Metriacanthosaurus facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Metriacanthosaurus |
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Metriacanthosaurus
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M. parkeri
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Metriacanthosaurus was a type of meat-eating dinosaur that lived in Europe a very long time ago, about 160 million years back. It lived during the Middle Jurassic period. Its name means "Moderate-spined lizard." This is because the bones in its back were taller than some other meat-eating dinosaurs, but not as tall as others.
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Meet Metriacanthosaurus
Metriacanthosaurus was a theropod. This means it was a dinosaur that walked on two legs and ate meat. It had three strong fingers on each hand. Each finger ended with a sharp, curved claw. These claws were perfect for grabbing onto its prey. After catching its meal, it would use its powerful jaws to deliver the final bite.
What Did It Eat?
This dinosaur probably hunted large, long-necked plant-eating dinosaurs called sauropods. Dinosaurs like Pelorosaurus lived in the same areas and at the same time as Metriacanthosaurus. So, it's likely they were on its menu!
Its Dinosaur Family Tree
When Metriacanthosaurus was first discovered, scientists thought it belonged to a group called megalosaurids. However, newer studies show it belongs to its own special family. This family is called Metriacanthosauridae.
Metriacanthosaurus in Pop Culture
You might have heard of Metriacanthosaurus from the movie Jurassic Park. In the film, one of the small bottles of dinosaur DNA that Dennis Nedry steals has the name Metriacanthosaurus on it.
Images for kids
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Ilium of OUM J.12144 (the main fossil, with the known parts shown in grey)
See also
In Spanish: Metriacanthosaurus parkeri para niños
