Carcharodontosaurus

Overview

Carcharodontosaurus saharicus was a giant carnivorous theropod roaming mid-Cretaceous Africa, notably in forested plains of what is now Northern Africa. Its name means “shark-toothed lizard,” referencing its long, serrated teeth ideal for slicing flesh. Estimates place its length at up to 40 ft (12 m) and weight around 8 tons, making it among the largest known predatory dinosaurs of its time.

Discovered in the Sahara region, Carcharodontosaurus lived in a rich ecosystem shared with other colossal creatures like Spinosaurus. Its formidable bite force—around 9,000 psi (estimated)—coupled with a robust build and blade-like teeth made it an apex predator.

Quick Facts

Diet

Carnivore (large dinosaurs)

Speed

~20 mph (est.)

Weight

~8 tons

Length

~40 ft (~12 m)

Bite Force

~9,000 psi (estimated)

Discovery & Significance

Original fossils of Carcharodontosaurus were discovered in the early 20th century, but many were destroyed during World War II. Later expeditions and analyses, including works by paleontologist Ernst Stromer and subsequent teams, helped re-establish its classification. The dinosaur’s serrated teeth and massive skull highlight a lineage of carcharodontosaurids that flourished in Gondwanan landmasses, separate from tyrannosaur-dominated Laurasia.

Carcharodontosaurus represents a critical piece in understanding mid-Cretaceous predator ecosystems, showing that African theropods achieved sizes matching or exceeding those in North America. Its sharpened, blade-like teeth likely inflicted deep wounds, aiding in subduing large prey. This “shark-tooth lizard” underscores how diverse and powerful large predators could be throughout different continents.

Carcharodontosaurus vs. Other African Predators

More Details

They say that if you’re looking for fierce Cretaceous predators, Carcharodontosaurus is sure to grab your attention. First discovered through fragmentary teeth in the early 20th century, this massive theropod roamed what is now North Africa about 100 to 94 million years ago. Named for its “shark-toothed” grin—an homage to the great white shark genus Carcharodon—Carcharodontosaurus boasted serrated teeth that sliced effectively into flesh, though they were surprisingly thin for an animal of its tremendous size. Most estimates place Carcharodontosaurus saharicus between 10 and 12.5 meters (33–41 ft) long, weighing perhaps 4 to 7 metric tons, making it one of the largest known land predators. Yet its skull was relatively lightly built, featuring large openings to reduce weight. These openings, plus huge fenestrae (windows) in the bones, made for a cranium more fragile than that of robust-skulled tyrannosaurids. Even so, its jaws—lined with blade-like teeth—were formidable for tearing into large herbivores. Originally, a partial skeleton was unearthed in Egypt during a 1914 expedition. Described in 1931 by Ernst Stromer, those fossils were tragically destroyed in a bombing raid during World War II. For decades, scientists had to rely on Stromer’s notes and sketches. Relief came in 1995 with the discovery of a nearly complete skull in Morocco’s Kem Kem Beds, finally giving modern paleontologists a fresh look at this elusive giant. A second species, C. iguidensis, is known from the Echkar Formation of Niger but appears somewhat smaller than its Moroccan relative. Both inhabited a region rich with massive fish, crocodile-like reptiles, and other monstrous predators, including the sail-backed Spinosaurus. Researchers suggest that niche partitioning—specialization in prey or feeding style—allowed multiple huge carnivores to coexist in the ancient wetlands and coastal regions of northern Africa. Today, Carcharodontosaurus remains a striking symbol of the region’s mid-Cretaceous ecosystems—a time when some of the planet’s largest meat-eating dinosaurs hunted across lush mangroves and river systems, leaving fossil clues that still captivate us millions of years later.

References & Further Reading