Suchomimus facts for kids
Quick facts for kids SuchomimusTemporal range: Lower Cretaceous
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| Suchomimus tenerensis | |
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Suchomimus
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S. tenerensis
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| Suchomimus tenerensis |
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Suchomimus means "crocodile mimic," and it was a very large dinosaur that looked a bit like a crocodile! This amazing creature mostly ate fish, but it also ate meat. It lived about 112 million years ago during the Lower Cretaceous period. Its home was in what is now Africa.
Suchomimus was a huge dinosaur, growing to about 36 feet (11 meters) long. It stood around 12 feet tall and walked on two powerful back legs. This meat-eating dinosaur had short arms with three fingers, each ending in a sharp claw. Its long, narrow snout was perfect for catching fish.
Dinosaur Family Tree
Suchomimus belongs to a special group of dinosaurs called Spinosauridae. This family includes other well-known dinosaurs like Baryonyx and the even larger Spinosaurus. Scientists study the bones of these dinosaurs to understand how they are related to each other.
How Scientists Classify Dinosaurs
Scientists use a system called phylogenetic trees to show how different animals are related. Think of it like a family tree for dinosaurs! By looking at their features, like the shape of their skulls or claws, scientists can figure out which dinosaurs are close relatives. Suchomimus is very closely related to Baryonyx.
Images for kids
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Size comparison of several spinosaurids and a human. Suchomimus is shown in red.
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A life restoration showing what Suchomimus might have looked like.
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A skeletal restoration combining bones from different Suchomimus specimens.
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A cast of a Suchomimus skull and claw.
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A mounted skeleton of Suchomimus on display in Chicago.
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A skull and neck display of Suchomimus at the Kenosha Dinosaur Museum.
See also
In Spanish: Suchomimus tenerensis para niños
