The Carnotaurus was a carnivorous dinosaur that lived during the Cretaceous period. Its most distinctive feature is the pair of large horns above its eyes. We have interesting facts, pictures and a profile of this prehistoric animal.
The Carnotaurus is an extinct predatory dinosaur that reached a length of nine meters and weighed approximately two tons. Thanks to various film appearances, this carnivore remains popular to this day.
Interesting facts about the Carnotaurus
Interesting facts about the Carnotaurus
In this chapter, we reveal where the Carnotaurus was discovered and why it got its name.
We then list the most important characteristics of this dinosaur for you.
Discovery and location
Argentinian paleontologist José Fernando Bonaparte discovered the only known skeleton of a Carnotaurus during an expedition in 1984. The fossil was found in the Argentine province of Chubut in Patagonia.
The skeleton of the predatory dinosaur is complete except for the rear sections of the tail and the lower parts of the hind legs. It is housed in the Bernardino Rivadavia Museum of Natural Sciences in Buenos Aires, Argentina.
Over time, these inexplicable finds gave rise to a number of mythical creatures. They have been passed down to this day in fairy tales and legends to this day. In the 19th century, new discoveries were constantly being made and science became increasingly interested in this newly discovered group of animals.
From 1842, they were referred to as “Dinosauria” (Latin for “dinosaur”). The world’s first complete dinosaur skeleton was found in Germany in 1859. It was the remains of a small carnivore called Compsognathus.
Meaning of the name
Meaning of the name
The Carnotaurus is also known as the “meat-eating bull.” The name is derived from the Latin words ‘carnis’ (meat) and “taurus” (bull).
The name comes from the unusual appearance of this prehistoric animal: the large pair of horns above its eyes make the dinosaur unmistakable.
Characteristics of the Carnotaurus
Below, we have compiled the most important characteristics of the Carnotaurus for you. Among other things, we explain its hunting behavior, classification, and genus. You will also learn how big and heavy the dinosaur was and what its habitat looked like.
Classification and genus
Carnotaurus belongs to the Abelisauridae, a group of medium-sized to large theropods within the Ceratosauria. This means that the “meat-eating bull” belongs to the order of lizard-hipped dinosaurs (Saurischia).
There is disagreement among researchers about the closest relatives of the Carnotaurus. Depending on the study, scientists suspect Mahungasaurus, Ilokelesia, or Aucasaurus as sister genera. So far, only one species of this predatory dinosaur is known: Carnotaurus sastrei.
When did the Carnotaurus live?
When the Carnotaurus lived
The age of the dinosaurs began in the Mesozoic era. This era is divided into the Triassic, Jurassic, and Cretaceous periods.
The Triassic began around 250 million years ago and the Cretaceous ended around 66 million years ago.
The Carnotaurus lived in the Late Cretaceous period, between 70.6 and 69.2 million years ago.
The Cretaceous period is the most recent period within the Mesozoic era. It began around 145.5 million years ago and ended around 65.5 million years ago with the beginning of the Paleogene period. The Cretaceous period is divided into the Upper Cretaceous and the Lower Cretaceous, with the Upper Cretaceous being divided into the following periods:
- Maastrichtian (70.6–65.5 million years ago)
- Campanian (83.5–70.6 million years ago)
- Santonian (85.8–83.5 million years ago)
- Coniacian (88.6–85.8 million years ago)
- Turonian (93.6–88.6 million years ago)
- Cenomanian (99.6–93.6 million years ago)
Habitat
The rock in which the Carnotaurus skeleton was found belongs to the La Colonia Formation of the Comarca Nordpatagónica massif. Researchers discovered numerous fossils in the middle section of the formation.
The finds suggest that the area was characterized by river estuaries, coastal plains, and mudflats during the Late Cretaceous period. The climate at that time was warm, with seasonal dry and rainy periods.
Paleontologists have identified the following species, among others, in the formation:
- Turtles
- Crocodiles
- Plesiosaurs
- Lizards
- Lungfish
- Birds
Physical characteristics and special features
Body structure and special features
The Carnotaurus belongs to the group of medium-sized to large theropods – it was a lightly built, two-legged predator.
Its skull, which was about 60 centimeters long, was shorter and deeper than that of other Abelisauridae.
The arms of this prehistoric animal were characterised by extreme shortening – at around 48 centimetres long, they probably had no function whatsoever.
The disproportionately long and strong legs compensated for the short arms when hunting, enabling the Carnotaurus to reach high speeds. It was one of the fastest large theropods.
The dinosaur’s eponymous feature is the large horns above its eyes. Researchers suspect that they either had a visual function or served as weapons. The prehistoric animal may have used its horns and muscular neck to ward off blows during fights.
Paleontologists Hendrickx and Bell examined the skin impressions of the Carnotaurus, which were preserved along with the bones of the skeleton. These are the most complete preserved scaly skin of an Abelisauridae known outside the Tetanurae group.
The researchers found that the carnivore’s skin consisted of medium to large cone-shaped scales surrounded by smaller elementary scales, similar to a mosaic.
Weight, size, and speed
Weight, size and speed
The only skeleton of Carnotaurus known to date has a body length of nine meters.
Researchers estimate the weight of this prehistoric animal at around two tons and its top speed at around 55 kilometers per hour.
With a height of three meters, the Carnotaurus is one of the largest dinosaurs in the Abelisauridae family.
Hunting behavior and diet
Based on current studies, it is not possible to accurately assess the dinosaur’s diet. Researchers assume that the “meat-eating bull” was able to hunt larger prey such as sauropods. What is certain, however, is that its speed enabled it to hunt smaller and more agile animals.
The dinosaur’s bite was less powerful than that of other theropods. It was about twice as strong as the bite of a modern saltwater crocodile. Its skull had very adaptable joints.
Some researchers believe that Carnotaurus may have used its head in a quick downward motion with its mouth wide open as a kind of machete.
Profile: The Carnotaurus
Profile: The Carnotaurus
The following profile summarizes all the important characteristics of the Carnotaurus.
This includes the physical characteristics that help you recognize it. For example, we have compiled its weight, size, and speed for you.
You will also find information about when it existed and where the dinosaur lived.
- Name of the genus: Carnotaurus (“meat-eating bull”)
- Known species: Carnotaurus sastrei
- Family: Abelisauridae
- Group: Theropoda
- Order: Saurischia (lizard-hipped dinosaurs)
- Time: Cretaceous (Late Cretaceous, 70.6 to 69.2 million years ago)
- Habitat: South America (La Colonia Formation)
- Diet: Meat
- Physical characteristics: Bipedal, short skull, short arms, long legs, pair of horns
- Length: eight to nine meters
- Height: three meters
- Weight: two tons
- Speed: max. 55 km/h
The Carnotaurus in pop culture
The Carnotaurus in pop culture
Together with the Tyrannosaurus Rex and the Spinosaurus, the Carnotaurus is one of the most famous carnivorous dinosaurs of our time.
The most famous herbivores are the Triceratops and the Brachiosaurus.
The Carnotaurus has become so popular that toy manufacturers such as Lego and Schleich now produce the prehistoric animal as a toy figure.
The Carnotaurus in “Jurassic World”
In the 2018 film “Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom,” viewers can see the Carnotaurus fighting a Sinoceratops. After a brief battle, the Sinoceratops flees while the “meat-eating bull” is attacked and killed by a Tyrannosaurus Rex.
However, the depiction of the prehistoric animal in the science fiction film differs from reality, as it is a larger clone of the real dinosaur. In the film, the Carnotaurus reaches a length of ten meters instead of nine, and the filmmakers have also made its arms longer.
The video game “Jurassic World: Evolution” is an economic simulation. Players can create their own amusement park with visitor attractions, including dinosaurs and research facilities.
In the game, the predatory dinosaur is over four meters tall and ten meters long. It also has different skin colors depending on its habitat.
Carnotaurus in Disney’s “Dinosaurs”
Disney’s 2000 animated film ‘Dinosaurs’ combines computer graphics with real nature footage.
The story is about the orphaned Iguanodon dinosaur “Aladar,” who is raised by primates. After an asteroid destroys his home, the prehistoric animal sets off for a preserved valley.
On his journey, the Iguanodon joins a group of other herbivores. Together they set out in search of water, but are repeatedly attacked by Carnotauruses.
The horned dinosaur acts as the antagonist, hunting the various herbivores for food. In the Disney film, the Carnotaurus is depicted as standing four and a half meters tall, about the same size as a Tyrannosaurus Rex.
It also appears very massive and slow, although in reality it was an agile and lightly built dinosaur. The snout of the prehistoric animal is also elongated and wider in the animated film.
Carnotaurus in “Ark: Survival Evolved”
In 2017, the action-adventure survival game “Ark” was released, in which the goal is to survive and hunt in a prehistoric world. In the video game, players can also tame and breed various dinosaurs.
The game developers define the fictional subspecies “Carnotaurus pressor” as an aggressive carnivore that can reach speeds similar to those of a raptor. The prehistoric animal can also be ridden and tamed.
Carnotaurus versus Allosaurus
Carnotaurus versus Allosaurus
The Carnotaurus and the Allosaurus are two theropod dinosaurs. While the “meat-eating bull” lived during the Cretaceous period, the Allosaurus existed in the Late Jurassic period.
We have compared the most important physical characteristics for you and reveal who would have won in an encounter.
Who was stronger?
Both dinosaurs were about the same weight, but the Allosaurus scores points for its height and length.
In the ecosystem of the North American Morrison Formation, the Allosaurus stood at the top of the food chain. It was probably an active hunter that also killed larger herbivores that were more than twice its weight.
Its powerful jaws and strong legs support this assumption. However, some researchers suspect that the Allosaurus was a scavenger due to its limited vision.
The Carnotaurus may have been able to kill larger predators thanks to its advanced skull, but it most likely hunted smaller dinosaurs. Its extremely short arms were a disadvantage in combat.
Both dinosaurs reached roughly the same speed, but the Allosaurus was not only fast, it was also robustly built. If the two prehistoric animals had encountered each other, the Carnotaurus would most likely have lost the fight.
The extinction of the Carnotaurus
The extinction of the Carnotaurus
Our Earth is approximately 4.6 billion years old. The last dinosaurs died out around 66 million years ago – the cause is still not fully understood.
The most likely theory is that a meteorite impact caused the planet to cool down gradually.
Many animal species were unable to cope with the effects of the climate change or starved to death due to a lack of food.
When 75 percent of animal species were wiped out by the mass extinction at the end of the Cretaceous period, the Carnotaurus had already been extinct for around three million years. The “meat-eating bull” lived on Earth for just over a million years.
The exact reason why the Carnotaurus became extinct is unknown. Animals that are more successful at finding food or can reproduce more quickly have a better chance of surviving over a longer period of time.
The extinction of another species could also have had a domino effect. If, for example, one species dies out, a prey or predator is missing from the ecosystem. This can have an impact on the entire food chain and lead to the extinction of other species.
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