Carcharodontosaurus, a name meaning “shark-toothed lizard,” was one of the largest predatory dinosaurs to ever inhabit Earth. It dominated ancient ecosystems.
Its Reign in the Mesozoic Era
Carcharodontosaurus lived during the Mid-Cretaceous Period, specifically spanning the Albian to early Cenomanian stages. This places its existence approximately 100 to 93 million years ago, within the broader Mesozoic Era. It predated the well-known Tyrannosaurus rex by tens of millions of years.
Where It Roamed
Fossils of Carcharodontosaurus have been unearthed across various regions of North Africa, providing clear evidence of its geographical range. Discoveries have been made in modern-day countries such as Egypt, Morocco, Niger, Algeria, and Tunisia. During the Mid-Cretaceous, this vast area was characterized by a warm, humid climate. It featured extensive floodplains, coastal regions, and lush environments with rainforests, rivers, and lakes, including vast mangrove forests and wetlands. This ancient landscape provided a rich habitat capable of supporting such a large predator.
Life Alongside Carcharodontosaurus
Carcharodontosaurus shared its North African domain with a variety of other impressive prehistoric creatures. Among its contemporaries was Spinosaurus, another gigantic theropod known for its aquatic adaptations. Large herbivorous dinosaurs, such as Ouranosaurus, Paralititan, and Rebbachisaurus, likely formed a significant part of its prey base. The ecosystem also included other formidable predators, like the possible ceratosaur Deltadromeus and massive crocodilians such as Sarcosuchus, creating a complex and competitive environment.
Unearthing Its Timeline
Paleontologists employ sophisticated methods to determine when dinosaurs like Carcharodontosaurus lived. One primary technique is stratigraphy, which involves studying the layers of sedimentary rock where fossils are found. Fossils in lower rock layers are generally older than those in higher layers, allowing for a relative dating sequence.
More precise dating relies on absolute methods, particularly radiometric dating. This technique measures the decay of radioactive isotopes within igneous rocks, such as volcanic ash, found above and below fossil-bearing layers. By analyzing the ratio of parent isotopes to their stable daughter products, scientists can calculate the age of the surrounding rock, thus bracketing the fossil’s age. Additionally, index fossils—species that lived for a relatively short period but had a wide geographic distribution—can help correlate rock layers and determine the approximate age of associated finds.