Carcharodontosaurus was a large predatory dinosaur that roamed Earth during the mid-Cretaceous period, approximately 99 to 94 million years ago. Named for its large, serrated teeth resembling those of a shark, its name translates to “shark-toothed lizard.” Reaching lengths of up to 13.7 meters (45 feet) and weighing around 6 to 8 metric tons, it was one of the largest land-dwelling hunters of its time. Its robust build, broad skull, and powerful jaws equipped it to hunt large prey.
Global Footprint
Carcharodontosaurus inhabited North Africa during the mid-Cretaceous period. Fossil evidence confirms its presence across a wide region, including modern-day Algeria, Egypt, Morocco, Niger, and Tunisia. This indicates a significant geographical spread for the predator.
Fossil sites and geological formations provide insights into its distribution. These include the Bahariya Formation in Egypt, the Kem Kem Beds and Aoufous Formation in Morocco, the Echkar Formation in Niger, and the Continental Intercalaire Formation across Algeria and Tunisia. Two species have been identified: Carcharodontosaurus saharicus, found in Morocco, Algeria, Egypt, and Tunisia, and Carcharodontosaurus iguidensis, discovered in Niger. This distribution shows its role as a widespread terrestrial predator across northern Africa.
Ancient Ecosystems
The environment Carcharodontosaurus inhabited in North Africa differed greatly from today’s arid landscapes. During the mid-Cretaceous, this region was a warm, humid, tropical setting with extensive waterways. It featured large rivers, floodplains, lakes, and coastal areas with mangrove forests and tidal flats. This rich ecosystem supported a wide array of life.
Carcharodontosaurus shared its habitat with numerous other large dinosaurs and ancient creatures. These included massive long-necked sauropods like Paralititan, Rebbachisaurus, Aegyptosaurus, and Mansourasaurus, which likely formed a significant part of its diet. The ecosystem also hosted other theropods, including the semi-aquatic Spinosaurus, and large carnivores such as Deltadromeus, Bahariasaurus, and crocodilians. While multiple large predators co-existed, they likely occupied different ecological niches; Carcharodontosaurus primarily hunted terrestrial prey, while Spinosaurus specialized in aquatic resources.
Uncovering the Past
Paleontological discoveries and fossil evidence are crucial for understanding where Carcharodontosaurus lived and its environment. Paleontologists study the dinosaur’s bones, along with associated plant and animal fossils from the same geological layers. This context helps reconstruct ancient ecosystems.
The initial fossil discoveries were two teeth unearthed in Algeria in 1924, first classified under a different genus. German paleontologist Ernst Stromer’s expeditions in Egypt in 1914 yielded more substantial remains from the Bahariya Formation, leading to the formal naming of Carcharodontosaurus in 1931. In 1995, American paleontologist Paul Sereno discovered a nearly complete skull in Morocco’s Kem Kem Beds. This find, and subsequent discoveries, greatly expanded scientific understanding of Carcharodontosaurus, allowing for more accurate reconstructions of its life and habitat.