Spinosaurus

Spinosaurus was one of many large theropods—a group of mainly carnivorous dinosaurs known for their three-toed feet with claws, sharp teeth, and hollow bones. This theropod was the largest theropod ever to walk the Earth. Spinosaurus lived during the Middle to Late Cretaceous period and reached lengths of around 49 to over 50 feet (about 15 meters). It stood approximately 16 to 20 feet tall at the hip.

Spinosaurus is best known for its large sail, which may have been used for attracting mates, intimidating rivals, helping with swimming as a rudder, storing fat like a camel’s hump, or regulating body temperature by heating up or cooling down.

Because of its massive size, you might think it behaved like Tyrannosaurus rex and hunted large land animals. However, Spinosaurus primarily fed on aquatic creatures such as fish, small sharks, and turtles. Due to this diet, it likely spent much of its time in or near water, making it one of the few semi-aquatic theropods.

Spinosaurus belonged to the family Spinosauridae, which includes other theropods such as Suchomimus, Baryonyx, Irritator, Oxalaia, and Ichthyovenator.