Fun Kryptops Facts For Kids
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The Kryptops dinosaur, also known as Kryptops palaios, was a a basal abelisaurid. This dinosaur used to inhabit present-day Africa.
The fossils of this species (Kryptops palaios) were found in the Gadaufaoua region in the Western Tenere desert in the Elrhaz Formation. The Kryptops used to live in deserts.
It is from the Early Cretaceous period and from the discovered Kryptops fossil, we know that this dinosaur lived from 125 million years ago to 100.5 million years ago. Reproduction of this species, just like other dinosaurs, took place sexually with the female laying eggs after the male deposited sperm inside the body of the female.
This dinosaur had a textured maxilla and also had a narrow antorbital fossa. The average Kryptops size is estimated to be around 25 ft (762 cm).
The diet is known to be carnivorous. Two palaeontologists, named Stephen Brusatte and Paul Sereno, described the dinosaur based on the holotype fossils of K. palaios that consisted of the maxilla, ribs, vertebrae, sacrum, and pelvic girdle. According to Sereno and Brusatte, this dinosaur is a basal abelisaurid.
Continue reading for more interesting Kryptops dinosaur facts. If you are interested about other dinosaurs, read our articles about the Austroraptor and Chilantaisaurus.
Kryptops Interesting Facts
How do you pronounce 'Kryptops'?
This dinosaur is pronounced as 'Krip-tops'.
What type of dinosaur was a Kryptops?
It belongs to the abelisaurid theropod type as the classification data suggests.
In which geological period did Kryptops roam the earth?
This dinosaur used to live in the Early Cretaceous period according to the fossil data.
When did the Kryptops become Extinct?
The exact time period of extinction of this dinosaur is not known.
Where did the Kryptops live?
This dinosaur used to inhabit present-day Africa. Fossil remains were found in the Elrhaz Formation.
What was the Kryptops' habitat?
The habitat of this dinosaur from the Early Cretaceous period included deserts according to the evaluation of data.
Who did the Kryptops live with?
No information is available about the social nature of this dinosaur. It is not known if it used to live in groups or alone.
How long did a Kryptops live?
It is known to have lived from 125 million years ago to 100.5 million years ago.
How did they reproduce?
All dinosaurs reproduced sexually. The female dinosaur used to lay eggs that were fertilized by sperm that the males deposited inside the body of the female. The female would lay an egg and the baby dinosaur egg would hatch.
Kryptops Fun Facts
What did Kryptops look like?
Certain features of the appearance of this dinosaur from the Early Cretaceous period include an extremely textured maxilla (tooth-bearing bone surface). The Kryptops discovered had some impressions of blood vessels and pits which are considered evidence of a covering on the face.
Scientists think this covering could have been made from keratin. It is believed that it had a narrow antorbital fossa.
How many bones did a Kryptops have?
The exact number of bones that this dinosaur had is not known.
How did they communicate?
Communication between dinosaurs took place through various sounds, gestures, and postures.
How big were the Kryptops?
The estimated size of this dinosaur was around 25 ft (762 cm).
How fast could a Kryptops move?
The speed of movement of this dinosaur is unknown.
How much did a Kryptops weigh?
No information is available about the weight of this dinosaur. However, this dinosaur was very big so we can assume that it was very heavy.
What were the male and female names of the species?
Males and females of this dinosaur species do not have any particular name.
What would you call a baby Kryptops?
A baby Kryptops, just like babies of other dinosaur species, is referred to as a hatchling.
What did they eat?
This dinosaur was known to be a meat-eating dinosaur and had a carnivorous diet, according to the evidence. This would have included smaller dinosaurs.
How aggressive were they?
The exact aggressiveness of this Theropoda cannot be determined but dinosaurs were quite aggressive and violent, in general.
Did you know...
The name Kryptops is known to mean 'covered face' referring to the tightly adhering covering of the face of this dinosaur.
The type species is known as Kryptops palaios and the specific name means 'old'.
Fossils of this dinosaur, Kryptops palaios, were found in the Gadaufaoua region in the western Tenere desert in the Elrhaz Formation.
This Cretaceous dinosaur was described by palaeontologists Stephen Brusatte and Paul Sereno in 2008.
Holotype fossils of this abelisaurid (Kryptops palaios) included a partial skeleton that consisted of the maxilla, ribs, vertebrae, and sacrum, and pelvic girdle.
It is believed that this dinosaur might be one of the oldest known abelisaurids. Another abelisaurid that is from the same formation as this dinosaur is the Eocarcharia. Cladistic analysis by Sereno and Brusatte has found that this dinosaur was the most basal abelisaurid.
Matthew Carrano and his colleagues in 2012 considered the Kryptops palaios a chimera. A chimera is an organism that is made up the cells of the two individuals that have joined together. It has two sets of DNA.
It is suspected that this dinosaur from the Theropoda genus preyed on the Ouranosaurus and Nigersaurus, suggested by the fossil study and data.
Why are they called Kryptops?
Kryptops is known to mean 'covered face'. It is in reference to the fact that the face of this dinosaur had a tight adhering according to the data from fossils.
How strong were Kryptops’ teeth?
Not a lot is known about the teeth of this member of Theropoda genus, but they were known to be quite strong. They needed to be strong because this dinosaur was a carnivore.
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 Ostafrikasaurus facts or Graciliraptor facts for kids.
You can even occupy yourself at home by coloring in one of our free printable Kryptops coloring pages.
Main image by Paleocolour
Second image by Nobu Tamura
Kryptops Facts
What Did They Prey On?
N/Awhat Type of Animal were they?
CarnivoreAverage Litter Size?
N/AWhat Did They Look Like?
Brown with a long tailHow Much Did They Weigh?
N/ASkin Type
Dry scalesHow Long Were They?
25 ft (762 cm)How Tall Were They?
N/AKingdom
AnimaliaClass
ReptiliaGenus
KryptopsFamily
AbelisauridaeScientific Name
Kryptops palaiosWhat Were Their Main Threats?
N/AWhat Habitat Did They Live In?
DesertWhere Did They Live?
Africa
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