The Carnotaurus is a unique dinosaur, known for its distinctive physical characteristics. This bipedal carnivore, whose name translates to “meat-eating bull,” earned its moniker from the prominent, thick horns positioned above its eyes. Unlike many of its theropod relatives, Carnotaurus possessed remarkably short forelimbs. Its deep, proportionally short skull contributed to its unusual appearance.
The Discovery Site
The single, remarkably complete Carnotaurus fossil was unearthed in Argentina, within the Chubut Province. This area is part of the Patagonian region, known for its rich fossil deposits. The fossil was recovered from the La Colonia Formation, a geological formation dating back to the Late Cretaceous period (72 to 69 million years ago). The La Colonia Formation is recognized for its diverse paleontological findings, including various plant and animal remains.
Unearthing the Fossil
The Carnotaurus specimen was discovered in 1984 by a paleontological expedition led by the renowned Argentine paleontologist José F. Bonaparte. This find was part of a project focused on terrestrial vertebrates from the Jurassic and Cretaceous periods in South America. The discovered skeleton was exceptionally well-preserved and articulated, with many bones still connected.
A particularly rare aspect of this discovery was the preservation of extensive fossilized skin impressions. These impressions provided unprecedented insight into the dinosaur’s integument. Despite some weathering on the tail and lower limbs, the overall completeness of the single known specimen made it an invaluable paleontological treasure.
Significance of the Find
The discovery of Carnotaurus held great importance for paleontology, particularly for understanding the abelisaurid group of predatory dinosaurs. Prior to this find, abelisaurids were not well understood, and Carnotaurus provided the most complete skeleton of this family from the Southern Hemisphere for many years. Its unique anatomical features offered important insights, such as its distinct horns, a singular trait among known carnivorous dinosaurs.
The well-preserved skin impressions revealed that Carnotaurus had a scaly hide with small scales and larger conical bumps. This finding provided direct evidence that, unlike some theropods, Carnotaurus lacked feathers and possessed a rough, textured skin. This fossil also contributed significantly to understanding Late Cretaceous ecosystems in South America, highlighting the diversity of large predators. The detailed preservation allowed scientists to study its unique adaptations, including its short arms and powerful legs, suggesting it was a fast ambush predator.