Dilophosaurus, an early large predatory dinosaur, roamed the Earth during the Early Jurassic period, approximately 195.2 to 183.7 million years ago. Known for its distinctive double crests, this creature stood about 6 feet tall at the hips and reached lengths of up to 23 feet, weighing around 880 pounds, comparable in size to a brown bear. Understanding its diet requires scientific investigation into its fossil record.
The Primary Diet of Dilophosaurus
Dilophosaurus was a carnivore, meaning its diet consisted solely of meat. Its primary food sources likely included smaller dinosaurs, early mammals, and large insects present in its environment. While direct evidence like preserved stomach contents is rare, paleontologists draw conclusions about its diet from indirect sources, such as coexisting prey animals.
The fossil record suggests that herbivorous dinosaurs like Mussaurus and Anchisaurus were present in the same regions, indicating a potential food supply. There is also some evidence to suggest it may have preyed on larger, four-legged plant-eating dinosaurs such as Sarahsaurus. This range of potential prey highlights its role as a predator in the Early Jurassic landscape.
Anatomical Clues to Their Diet
The physical characteristics of Dilophosaurus provide insights into its carnivorous diet. Its teeth were long, curved, thin, and compressed sideways, with serrations on both their front and back edges. These sharp, recurved teeth were well-suited for grasping and tearing flesh.
The jaw structure of Dilophosaurus also offers clues. It featured a narrow snout and a distinctive “kink” or “subnarial gap” behind the premaxilla, the bone at the very front of the upper jaw. Early scientific interpretations suggested this gap indicated a relatively weak bite force, limiting Dilophosaurus to smaller prey or scavenging. However, later studies indicate its jaws were stronger than initially thought, with powerful rear jaw musculature, making it capable of taking down more substantial prey.
Dilophosaurus possessed strong legs and a bipedal stance, suggesting an active predatory lifestyle. Its hands had four fingers, with the first being short but strong and bearing a large claw, while the next two fingers were longer and slenderer with smaller claws. These features point towards an animal adapted for chasing, grasping, and subduing its meals.
Behavioral Insights and Other Food Sources
Dilophosaurus was likely an active hunter, relying on its speed and agility to pursue and capture prey. Its long legs enabled it to run quickly, with some fossilized footprints suggesting it could achieve speeds of up to 30 mph. While often depicted as a solitary hunter, some footprint evidence hints at the possibility of pack behavior, which could have allowed them to tackle larger prey. Newer research supports the idea of Dilophosaurus as an active predator capable of bringing down its own food, including other dinosaurs.
Beyond general carnivory, there is scientific discussion about the possibility of Dilophosaurus consuming fish. Some paleontologists point to features like the expanded ends of its jaws, forming a “rosette” of interlocking teeth, and retracted nasal openings, which are similar to adaptations seen in modern fish-eating animals like gharials and extinct spinosaurids. The discovery of Dilophosaurus fossils in locations near ancient water bodies further supports this hypothesis, though piscivory remains a less certain aspect of its diet compared to its overall carnivorous nature.