Acrocanthosaurus atokensis is the only known species of the extinct genus Acrocanthosaurus, a carcharodontosaurid theropod dinosaur that inhabited North America during the Cretaceous period, approximately 125 to 99.6 million years ago. It stands out for the tall neural spines on many of its vertebrae, which suggest the presence of a kind of "hump" on its neck, back and hips. It was one of the largest theropods, with a length of up to 11.5 meters and a weight of up to 5.7 tons.
The skull of Acrocanthosaurus was long, low and narrow, with a large antorbital fenestra that contributed to reducing its weight. It had curved, serrated teeth, adapted to tear the flesh of its prey. Its limbs were sturdy, with three clawed fingers on each hand, and a long, powerful tail that swung for balance.
The discovery of several specimens, including the more complete NCSM 14345, has provided detailed information about its anatomy and allowed accurate reconstructions. Although fossils have been found in Oklahoma, Texas, and Maryland, the lack of complete skeletons has limited the full understanding of this dinosaur.
Acrocanthosaurus has been the subject of debate regarding its taxonomic classification, with some scientists considering it an allosaurid, while others classify it as a carcharodontosaurid. It is believed to have been an apex predator that hunted large sauropods and ornithopods in its ecosystem.
Approximate measurements of the Acrocanthosaurus:
The skull of Acrocanthosaurus was long, low and narrow, with a large antorbital fenestra that contributed to reducing its weight. It had curved, serrated teeth, adapted to tear the flesh of its prey. Its limbs were sturdy, with three clawed fingers on each hand, and a long, powerful tail that swung for balance.
The discovery of several specimens, including the more complete NCSM 14345, has provided detailed information about its anatomy and allowed accurate reconstructions. Although fossils have been found in Oklahoma, Texas, and Maryland, the lack of complete skeletons has limited the full understanding of this dinosaur.
Acrocanthosaurus has been the subject of debate regarding its taxonomic classification, with some scientists considering it an allosaurid, while others classify it as a carcharodontosaurid. It is believed to have been an apex predator that hunted large sauropods and ornithopods in its ecosystem.
Approximate measurements of the Acrocanthosaurus:
- Scale 1:35 Assembly kit
- Length 278 mm
- Height 89 mm
- Width 106 mm
- Snout-tail length 328 mm
