The Majungasaurus is a genus of theropod dinosaur that lived during the Cretaceous period, in the time range known as the Maastrichtian, approximately 70 to 66 million years ago. Majungasaurus fossils were found in Madagascar.
The Majungasaurus was a medium-sized carnivorous dinosaur. It is estimated that it was around 7 to 8 meters in length and weighed around 1 ton. It had a stocky, strong build, with short forelimbs and long, muscular hind legs that allowed it to move quickly.
A distinctive feature of the Majungasaurus is its large, powerful head. It had a strong jaw with sharp, backward-curving teeth, adapted for tearing through the flesh of its prey. Majungasaurus teeth wore out quickly due to their curved shape, but they were continually replaced throughout its life.
Majungasaurus fossils have been found that show signs of cannibalism. The bones of other Majungasaurus have been found with tooth marks, suggesting that these dinosaurs engaged and attacked each other. Cannibalism may have been a survival strategy in an environment where prey was scarce.
Although the Majungasaurus was a carnivore, it is possible that it also fed on carrion, taking advantage of the remains of dead animals. In addition to other dinosaurs, the Majungasaurus shared its environment with a variety of dinosaur species and other animals, including sauropods, hadrosaurs, and turtles.
Approximate measurements of the Majungasaurus:
- Scale 1:72
- Length 108mm
- Height 33mm
- Snout-tail length 115 mm
- Scale 1:35
- Length 224mm
- Height 69mm
- Snout-tail length 230 mm
- Scale 1:20
- Length 387mm
- Height 119mm
- Snout-tail length 400mm
