allosaur
Large Jurassic theropod
An allosaur is a large carnivorous dinosaur of the late Jurassic period, characterized by a massive skull, powerful jaws, and short forelimbs with sharp claws.
The name means "different lizard." Allosaurs were apex predators, hunting prey including sauropods.
The term covers both *Allosaurus* proper and related theropods in the same family.
Bipedal carnivorous dinosaur group
- saurischianLizard-hipped dinosaur clade
- MesozoicAge of Reptiles
- JurassicDinosaur-dominated geological period
- CretaceousFinal Mesozoic period
paleontology · fossil · excavation · bones · skeleton · reconstruction · museum · specimen
Unpreyed-upon dominant hunter
- hunterPursuer of prey
- carnivoreCreature eating only animals
- meat-eaterOne who consumes flesh
- preyAnimal being hunted
ambush · teeth · claws · bite force · pack hunting · scavenger · stalker · kill
Head's bone casing
- femurUpper leg bone
- vertebraeInterlocking bones of spine
- ribsThoracic bone set
- pelvisBony basin at waist
forelimbs · hindlimbs · tail · crest · horn · bipedal · skeleton · claws
Of great size
- massiveExtremely large and heavy
- toweringOf imposing height
- formidableInspiring fear or respect
- powerfulHaving great strength
Large-scale species elimination
- prehistoricBefore documented civilization
- ancientVery old indeed
- vanishedDisappeared from sight
- lost worldIsolated, undiscovered prehistoric place
deep time · millions of years · disappeared · fossilized · Triassic · Permian · extinction event
theropod
Bipedal carnivorous dinosaur group
- saurischianLizard-hipped dinosaur clade
- MesozoicAge of Reptiles
- JurassicDinosaur-dominated geological period
Cretaceous · paleontology · fossil · excavation · bones · skeleton · reconstruction · museum · specimen · Morrison Formation
apex predator
Unpreyed-upon dominant hunter
- hunterPursuer of prey
- carnivoreCreature eating only animals
- meat-eaterOne who consumes flesh
prey · ambush · teeth · claws · bite force · pack hunting · scavenger · stalker · kill · territorial
skull
Head's bone casing
pelvis · forelimbs · hindlimbs · tail · crest · horn · bipedal · skeleton · claws · serrated teeth
large
Of great size
- massiveExtremely large and heavy
- toweringOf imposing height
- formidableInspiring fear or respect
mass extinction
Large-scale species elimination
- prehistoricBefore documented civilization
- ancientVery old indeed
- vanishedDisappeared from sight
lost world · deep time · millions of years · disappeared · fossilized · Triassic · Permian · extinction event