Carcharodontosaurus was one of the largest predatory dinosaurs known, rivaling other well-known carnivores in size. Fossil discoveries firmly established its existence, providing insights into the prehistoric world. It played a significant role in its ancient ecosystem.
Confirming Its Existence
The first fossil evidence of Carcharodontosaurus emerged from North Africa in the early 20th century. French paleontologists Charles Depéret and Justin Savornin described initial finds in Algeria in 1925, classifying them as Megalosaurus saharicus based on two teeth. German paleontologist Ernst Stromer von Reichenbach later discovered more extensive remains in Egypt during a 1914 expedition, formally naming the genus Carcharodontosaurus in 1931. Unfortunately, many of Stromer’s original specimens were destroyed during a Royal Air Force bombing raid on Munich in 1944, creating a mystery for paleontologists.
Despite these losses, subsequent discoveries in the 1990s and 2000s provided more complete information. American paleontologist Paul Sereno unearthed a nearly complete skull in the Kem Kem Beds of Morocco in 1995, which matched Stromer’s earlier descriptions. Further finds in Niger, including a second recognized species, Carcharodontosaurus iguidensis, have solidified the dinosaur’s place in the scientific record.
Defining Carcharodontosaurus
The name Carcharodontosaurus translates from Greek as “shark-toothed lizard,” reflecting its specialized dentition. Its jaws were lined with serrated, blade-like teeth, some reaching up to 15 to 20 centimeters (6 to 8 inches) in length. These teeth were designed for slicing through flesh rather than crushing bone, distinguishing it from other large predators.
Carcharodontosaurus was a large, bipedal theropod dinosaur. It measured an estimated 12 to 13.7 meters (39 to 45 feet) long and weighed approximately 5 to 8 metric tons, with some estimates reaching up to 15 tons. Its skull alone measured around 1.6 to 1.75 meters (5.2 to 5.7 feet) in length. While comparable in size to Tyrannosaurus rex and Giganotosaurus, Carcharodontosaurus had a more slender skull and different tooth morphology, indicating distinct hunting strategies.
Its Ancient World
Carcharodontosaurus lived during the Late Cretaceous period, specifically the Cenomanian stage, approximately 99 to 94 million years ago. Fossils have been found across North Africa, including present-day Morocco, Algeria, Egypt, Niger, and Tunisia. North Africa was characterized by a warm, humid climate with lush environments during this period.
The landscape included coastal plains, deltas, rainforests, and river systems. Carcharodontosaurus was an apex predator in this diverse ecosystem, preying on large herbivorous dinosaurs. Its diet probably included sauropods such as Paralititan and Aegyptosaurus, as well as ornithopods like Ouranosaurus. Carcharodontosaurus coexisted with other large North African dinosaurs, including the even larger Spinosaurus and the theropod Deltadromeus.