In 1942, a large theropod dinosaur was discovered in the Early Jurassic strata of Arizona, USA. Paleontologists named it Dilophosaurus because of a pair of thin V-shaped bony ridges on its head.
Dilophosaurus had a robust body, a large skull, a well-developed jaw, and a wide mouth filled with teeth like sharp knives, with small serrations along the front and back edges. These features indicate that it could tear apart any prey it captured and then swallow large chunks of meat whole. Furthermore, there were openings behind its eyes on its skull, which were designed to better attach the muscles that moved the jawbone, suggesting that Dilophosaurus possessed an extremely powerful bite. Paleontologists speculate that Dilophosaurus may have been the most ferocious and brutal carnivore in the Early Jurassic ecosystem.
Dilophosaurus possessed powerful hind limbs with sharp claws on its feet, which it used to capture and tear apart prey. Around 200 million years ago, Dilophosaurus frequently roamed the highlands or jungles between rivers and lakes, hunting a variety of herbivores. They may have preferred a solitary life, sometimes hiding in inconspicuous places to ambush prey, and even, like vultures, may have fed on the carcasses and rotting flesh of dead animals for various reasons.
Fossils of Dilophosaurus have also been discovered in Jinning County, Yunnan Province, my country. Dilophosaurus sinensis was the largest carnivorous dinosaur of the Early Jurassic period, nearly 4 meters long, with a long, pointed snout. Paleontologists speculate that it primarily fed on the internal organs of other animals, as its pointed snout could penetrate the abdominal cavity of carcasses, and the two thin, plate-like crests on its head could support the walls of the abdominal cavity when its head was inside.
Dilophosaurus was also a member of the Tethys Ocean fauna, so the species found worldwide are largely similar. Their fossils have also been found in Antarctica, indicating that what is now an icy wasteland was once a warm paradise for dinosaurs.
Chinese name: Dilophosaurus
Latin name: Dilophosaurus
Era: Early Jurassic
Fossil sites: Arizona, USA; Yunnan, China
Physical characteristics: 6-7 meters in length
Diet: Carnivorous
Type: Theropod
Definition: A lizard with two ridges on its head.
