Microsoft Dinosaurs
Dilophosaurus
Dilophosaurus
Dilophosaurus

dye-LOF-oh-SOR-us name means “Two-ridged lizard”

One of Earth's first giant predators, this two-crested hunter prowled the land 200 million years ago.

KindDinosaur Period Early Jurassic Diet Carnivore

One of the first large meat-eaters, Dilophosaurus appeared about 200 million years ago. Twenty feet long with strong legs and a long tail, Dilophosaurus had more delicate jaws than most of its other theropod relatives, which suggests that this dinosaur may have been a scavenger rather than a predator.

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Family of Flesh-Eaters

Family of Flesh-Eaters

Here Dilophosaurus is shown with two of its theropod relatives. Smaller meat-eaters like Deinonychus may have hunted in packs.

AllosaurusThis common predator, which appeared 40 million years after Dilophosaurus, rarely went hungry. Fossil remains of Allosaurus have been found with the skeletons of Stegosaurus, Camptosaurus, and the gigantic Camarasaurus, suggesting that Allosaurus may have preyed on or scavenged very large dinosaurs.
DeinonychusThis was one of the deadliest dinosaurs, with all the features of an efficient hunter. Deinonychus used its powerful jaws lined with jagged teeth and the curved claws on both feet to inflict mortal wounds on its prey.

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Meat-eaters Deinonychus

Source: Microsoft Dinosaurs (1993) CD-ROM. Text liberated from original screen art; images & audio restored from disc. Original media is Microsoft/supplier copyright — non-commercial educational preservation. Credits & Acknowledgements