Instant Genius The real story behind Jurassic Park’s most controversial dinosaur
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Dec 5, 2025 Join palaeontologists David Hone, a dinosaur biology researcher, and Mark P. Witton, a professional paleoartist, as they delve into the captivating world of spinosaurs. They discuss how fragmentary fossils challenge our understanding of these unique dinosaurs. Discover their distinctive features, from sailbacks to long snouts, and learn why many reconstructions are still hypotheses. The duo also offers insights into their feeding strategies, preferred aquatic habitats, and the ongoing quest for more complete fossils to unveil the mysteries surrounding these fascinating reptiles.
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Distinctive Spinosaurl Anatomy
- Spinosaurs had long low snouts, long necks, and big arms with robust claws, giving them a distinctive crocodile-like appearance.
- They differ markedly from classic theropods like Tyrannosaurus despite being large predatory dinosaurs.
Length Versus Robustness
- Spinosaurus may be the longest known carnivorous dinosaur at up to ~15 m, but Tyrannosaurus was more robust and heavier.
- Baryonychines are smaller, typically around eight to ten meters in length.
Cretaceous Peak And Earlier Disappearance
- Spinosaurs appear in the Cretaceous and disappear before the end-Cretaceous extinction, likely dying out around the Cenomanian turnover.
- Their early Jurassic record is sparse, so origin timing remains uncertain.
