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FOR AGES 3 YEARS TO 18 YEARS
At Kidadl we pride ourselves on offering families original ideas to make the most of time spent together at home or out and about, wherever you are in the world. We strive to recommend the very best things that are suggested by our community and are things we would do ourselves - our aim is to be the trusted friend to parents.
We try our very best, but cannot guarantee perfection. We will always aim to give you accurate information at the date of publication - however, information does change, so it’s important you do your own research, double-check and make the decision that is right for your family.
Kidadl provides inspiration to entertain and educate your children. We recognise that not all activities and ideas are appropriate and suitable for all children and families or in all circumstances. Our recommended activities are based on age but these are a guide. We recommend that these ideas are used as inspiration, that ideas are undertaken with appropriate adult supervision, and that each adult uses their own discretion and knowledge of their children to consider the safety and suitability.
Kidadl cannot accept liability for the execution of these ideas, and parental supervision is advised at all times, as safety is paramount. Anyone using the information provided by Kidadl does so at their own risk and we can not accept liability if things go wrong.
Afrovenator is a genus comprising a large theropod dinosaur belonging to the family Megalosauridae. Afrovenator abakensis is the only species of this genus. A complete skeleton of Afrovenator was found by Paul Sereno in 1993 in the Tiourarén Formation of Niger's Agadez region in Africa. This skeleton of a Cretaceous period dinosaur is the most complete ever excavated in Africa. Its unique name means 'African hunter'. It was a carnivore that lived during the Early Cretaceous period, approximately 135-125 million years ago. This large theropod ranged between 22.3-24.9 ft (6.8-7.6 m) in length and between 998.6-1,999.5 lb (453-907 kg) in weight. It was a stiff-tailed, three-fingered-predator that used both of its legs to walk. This meat-eating dinosaur also had bladelike teeth that were 2 in (5 cm) long and were useful to tear and crush prey. It is related to the mighty Allosaurus. Keep reading to discover thrilling facts about the Afrovenator's physical structure, discovery, fossil remains, diet, history, and more!
If you find our Afrovenator facts fun to read, you must discover our thrilling Tarascosaurus surprising facts and Jingshanosaurus interesting facts!
Afrovenator means 'African hunter' and is pronounced as 'af-ro-vee-NAY-tor'.
It is a large-sized theropod dinosaur. The Afrovenator abakensis is a member of the clade Theropoda that comprises bipedal dinosaurs whose ancestors were birds. However, the Afrovenator is believed to have descended from the Megalosaurus dinosaur. The Afrovenator dinosaur is also a member of the order Saurischia of dinosaurs. The Afrovenator was not closely related to lizards but had pelvic bones of a similar shape.
These dinosaurs were believed to have existed on Earth 135-125 million years ago during the Early Cretaceous period. Their remains were found in the Tiourarén Formation of Niger's Agadez region in northern Africa by the paleontologist, Paul Serono.
The Afrovenator is believed to have gone extinct 161 million years ago!
An almost complete skeleton of Afrovenator was found in the southern Sahara desert, in Abaka, Niger, Africa, in 1993 and dates back to the Early Cretaceous period. It is one of the most complete dinosaurs of Theropoda to have been excavated from northern Africa, as Africa's environmental conditions are quite harsh and can erode fossils quickly. The fossils of some ribs, parts of the pelvis, parts of the skull, and lower jaw are incomplete. The hind limbs and the forelimbs are mostly complete.
This dinosaur was terrestrial and bipedal. Grasslands and woodlands are believed to be the habitat of this dinosaur.
It is believed to have co-existed with Jobaria, a large-sized sauropod whose juveniles were hunted by Afrovenator . It is also believed to be related to the Allosaurus and Spinosaurus and closely related to the Eustreptospondylus, Duriavenator, and Dubreuillasaurus.
It is assumed that this dinosaur had a lifespan of 24 years!
There isn't much information available about the reproduction of these theropods. However, we do know that theropod dinosaurs reproduced by laying eggs and they also took part in courtship displays.
It was a large-sized theropod that ranged between 22.3-24.9 ft (6.8-7.6 m) in length. It had a height of 6.2 ft (1.9 m) and ranged between 998.6-1,999.5 lb (453-907 kg) in weight. The head of this dinosaur was long and large in size. It possessed strong jaws that had 14 teeth on the mandible. Its limbs were lean and slender. The forelegs of the Afrovenator had three digits with pointed claws. These claws came in handy for tearing prey but weren't sufficiently developed to grasp things. The hind legs were longer than the forelimbs. The tail was thick and stout.
This dinosaur is one of the most complete theropods to have been excavated. The hind limbs and the forelimbs are mostly complete. However, the fossils of some ribs, parts of the pelvis, parts of the skull, and lower jaw, are incomplete.
It is assumed that this dinosaur could produce a boisterous roar to signal others of its presence and to signal dominance.
Afrovenator abakensis ranged between 22.3-24.9 ft (6.8-7.6 m) in length and could attain a height of 6.2 ft (1.9 m).
This dinosaur possessed a femur longer than its tibia. This suggests that it may have run at a moderate speed but wasn't able to sprint at a high speed.
The weight of this dinosaur is assumed to have ranged between 998.6-1,999.5 lb (453-907 kg).
The suffix of the term dinosaur is saurus for males and saura for females.
The baby of the Afrovenator abakensis species can be referred to as a hatchling or juvenile.
It was a fearsome meat-eating dinosaur. This carnivore preyed on small lizards and other species of dinosaurs, such as the juveniles of Jobaria. It was a fearsome predator but was still challenged by some other carnivores.
The name 'Afrovenator' is a juxtaposition of two Latin words that means 'African hunter'. It was the most fearsome hunter of its era. It is assumed to have been quite aggressive due to its sharp teeth and claws.
Afrovenator fossils are on display in the Museum of Chicago!
The Afrovenator was discovered by the paleontologist Paul Sereno and was named by Sereno, Larsson, Dutheil, J. A. Wilson, and Sues in 1994.
These dinosaurs had strong jaws that had 14 teeth on the mandible. These teeth were blade-like and 2 in (5 cm) long!
Here at Kidadl, we have carefully created lots of interesting family-friendly dinosaur facts for everyone to discover! Learn more about some other creatures from our Hydrotherosaurus fun facts and Aerosteon interesting facts for kids.
You can even occupy yourself at home by coloring in one of our free printable Afrovenator coloring pages.
Second image by Kabacchi.
Read The Disclaimer
At Kidadl we pride ourselves on offering families original ideas to make the most of time spent together at home or out and about, wherever you are in the world. We strive to recommend the very best things that are suggested by our community and are things we would do ourselves - our aim is to be the trusted friend to parents.
We try our very best, but cannot guarantee perfection. We will always aim to give you accurate information at the date of publication - however, information does change, so it’s important you do your own research, double-check and make the decision that is right for your family.
Kidadl provides inspiration to entertain and educate your children. We recognise that not all activities and ideas are appropriate and suitable for all children and families or in all circumstances. Our recommended activities are based on age but these are a guide. We recommend that these ideas are used as inspiration, that ideas are undertaken with appropriate adult supervision, and that each adult uses their own discretion and knowledge of their children to consider the safety and suitability.
Kidadl cannot accept liability for the execution of these ideas, and parental supervision is advised at all times, as safety is paramount. Anyone using the information provided by Kidadl does so at their own risk and we can not accept liability if things go wrong.
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