Dilophosaurus, an early large predatory dinosaur, roamed ancient North America during the Early Jurassic period. Its name, meaning “two-crested lizard,” refers to the distinctive bony structures adorning its skull.
Determining Dilophosaurus’s Stature
Paleontologists estimate the hip height of Dilophosaurus through meticulous skeletal reconstruction, primarily by examining leg bones like the femur and analyzing the vertebral column. A smaller specimen had an estimated hip height of about 1.36 meters (4 feet 5.5 inches), while larger individuals stood around 6 to 7 feet (approximately 2 meters) tall at the hip. These estimates can vary slightly depending on the fossil specimen, its growth stage, and scientific interpretation.
Researchers also employ methods like multiplying footprint length by four to approximate hip height for bipedal dinosaurs. Additionally, advanced techniques like 3D modeling and comparisons to modern animal limb proportions help refine these size assessments.
Beyond Height: Overall Dimensions
While height provides one perspective, Dilophosaurus’s overall dimensions offer a more complete picture. Larger specimens reached lengths of approximately 7 meters (23 feet) from snout to tail tip. Its estimated weight for larger individuals was around 400 kilograms (880 pounds), with a broader range from 283 kilograms (624 pounds) to 454 kilograms (1,000 pounds).
To visualize this scale, Dilophosaurus was comparable in size to a modern brown bear. This combination of length and weight indicates a creature built for agility rather than brute mass.
Common Misconceptions and Context
Popular culture, particularly the film “Jurassic Park,” has introduced several inaccuracies regarding Dilophosaurus. One common misconception is its portrayed small stature, often depicted as a relatively diminutive creature. In reality, Dilophosaurus was a significantly larger animal, standing tall enough at the hip to meet a human’s eye and being one of the largest land predators of its era in North America.
Another pervasive myth is the presence of an expandable neck frill, which has no basis in the fossil record. Similarly, the idea of Dilophosaurus spitting venom is a fictional addition, as there is no scientific evidence of venom glands or a venom-delivery system in any known dinosaur.
Its distinctive arched crests were likely too delicate for physical combat and are generally believed to have served as visual displays for species recognition, signaling within its social structure, or attracting mates. As a slender and lightly built theropod, it was an active and formidable predator capable of swift movement. Recent studies suggest its jaws were stronger than initially thought, enabling it to effectively hunt prey.