Fun Xiongguanlong Facts For Kids

Xiongguanlong is a genus comprising extinct tyrannosauroid dinosaurs that existed on Earth during the Early Cretaceous period. The name 'Xiongguanlong' is a Mandarin term that means 'dragon from Xiong Guan'. This genus consists of only one species, Xiongguanlong baimoensis. The latter part of the name of the type species, 'baimoensis', is also derived from Mandarin and means white ghost. It is derived from the White Ghost Castle formation that is close to the site of the fossil remains. It is a member of this superfamily Tyrannosauroidea and the suborder Theropoda. It also belongs to the superorder Dinosauria and the order Saurischia. It has not yet been placed in the family Tyrannosauridae. The fossil remains were found to comprise a distorted skull with no lower jaws, femur (upper leg bone), a partial hip bone, and back and neck vertebrae. The Xiongguanlong species existed about 125-100 million years ago in the Early Cretaceous of China. It was a medium-sized tyrannosauroid that possessed a narrow and long snout, resembling that of the Alioramus. The older Xiongguanlong features many characteristic features of the Late Cretaceous T-rex, like the midline crest present at the back of its skull and a boxy skull. The arm length was shorter as compared to the tyrannosaurs that existed earlier but longer than those of the later Tyrannosauridae family members. The vertebrae of the Xiongguanlong were much more robust as compared to those of the basal tyrannosauroids. It is assumed that they were robust so as to support their skull. It is estimated to have grown up to 12 ft (3.6 m) in length and weighed up to 595.2 lb (270 kg). This species was a carnivore, just like all other tyrannosaurs, and fed upon small and medium-sized creatures. Keep reading to learn how to pronounce Xiongguanlong and discover interesting facts about its diet, range, fossil remains, and more!

If you enjoyed reading our Xiongguanlong fun facts, you must check out our roar-some Velocipes facts and Sinornithomimus interesting facts!

How do you pronounce 'Xiongguanlong '?

Xiongguanlong is a Mandarin term that means ‘dragon from Xiong Guan' and can be pronounced as 'Zhong-gwan-long'. The species, Xiongguanlong baimoensis, of this genus can be pronounced as 'Zhong-gwan-long by-mo-en-sis'.

What type of dinosaur was a Xiongguanlong?

Xiongguanlong is a tyrannosauroid dinosaur. It is a link between the later, larger tyrannosaurs and the earlier, smaller tyrannosaurs. It has not yet been placed in the family Tyrannosauridae but is a member of the superfamily Tyrannosauroidea. It is a theropod, member of the Theropoda group That comprises related bipedal (walking on two feet) dinosaurs.

In which geological period did the Xiongguanlong roam the earth?

This species existed approximately 125-100 million years ago in the Early Cretaceous of China from the Aptian Age to the Albian Age.

When did the Xiongguanlong become extinct?

These dinosaurs existed approximately 125-100 million years ago and lived in the Early Cretaceous of China. It is believed to have gone extinct 100 million years ago.

Where did a Xiongguanlong live?

This dinosaur was a carnivore that inhabited Asia during the Cretaceous period. Its fossil remains have been excavated from the Gansu Province in western China. These fossils were excavated in the 21st century and aren't found anywhere else in the world, suggesting that they were endemic to Asia. The fossil remains consist of a distorted skull with the lower jaws absent, back and neck vertebrae, femur (upper leg bone), and a partial hip bone. Dinosaurs such as the Achillobator, Guanlong, and Eosinopteryx also inhabited Asia.

What was a Xiongguanlong's habitat?

It is assumed that these dinosaurs inhabited well-watered environments that comprised forests and lakes, where it snowed irregularly.

Who did a Xiongguanlong live with?

It is known that ornithomimosaurs, therizinosauroids, ornithopods, sauropods, and turtles inhabited the same region as the Xiongguanlong. Dinosaurs like Qingxiusaurus, Erlikosaurus, and Yutyrannus are also estimated to have lived during the same period.

How long did a Xiongguanlong live?

The lifespan of the dinosaurs of this genus has not yet been evaluated by paleontologists. However, their relative, Tyrannosaurus rex, is estimated to have had a lifespan of approximately 28 years.

How did they reproduce?

These animals are known to have reproduced by laying eggs. Their reproduction process in detail is not yet known.

What did a Xiongguanlong look like?

The fossil remains of Xiongguanlong baimoensis comprise a distorted skull with the lower jaws absent, back and neck vertebrae, femur (upper leg bone), and a partial hip bone. It is renowned for its characteristic head and long, narrow snout. It is a medium-sized tyrannosaurus that features a narrow long snout, that resembles the snout of the Alioramus. It is estimated that it could have attained a length of 12 ft (3.6 m) and could have weighed up to 595.2 lb (270 kg). The arm length of this dinosaur was shorter as compared to that of the tyrannosaurs that existed earlier. The arm length was longer than those of the later Tyrannosauridae family members. The vertebrae of the Xiongguanlong were also much more robust as opposed to those of the basal tyrannosauroids. It is believed that they were robust so as to render support to their skull. The older Xiongguanlong sports many characteristic features of the Late Cretaceous T-rex, such as the midline crest present at the back of its boxy skull.

How many bones did a Xiongguanlong have?

It isn't yet known how many bones the Xiongguanlong possessed.

How did they communicate?

The members of the Tyrannosauroidea superfamily are believed to have communicated through coos, mumbles, as well as low-frequency rumbles.

How big was a Xiongguanlong?

It is estimated that it could have attained a length of 12 ft (3.6 m) and a height of 5 ft (1.5 m) at the hips. It wasn't the largest theropod of the period in which it existed. However, the Xiongguanlong size was smaller than that of the Beishanlong, an ornithomimosaur. However, it is believed to have been quite a bone-crushing, powerful predator similar to its relatives.

How fast could a Xiongguanlong move?

The exacts speed of these dinosaurs is not known. However, we do know that the hindlimbs of all tyrannosauroids possessed four toes. Their hindlimbs are longer than most theropods and suggest that they were fast-running. It is believed that they were bipedal, like most theropods.

How much did a Xiongguanlong weigh?

The adult of this species could have weighed up to 595.2 lb (270 kg). They weighed quite a lot less compared to their cousin, T-rex, that weighed an estimated 9 tons (9000 kg).

What were the male and female names of the species?

The suffix of the term dinosaur is saurus for males and saura for females.

What would you call a baby Xiongguanlong?

The baby Xiongguanlong can be referred to as a hatchling or juvenile.

What did they eat?

This carnivorous creature fed upon small to medium-sized animals such as the Beishanlong grandis. It is also believed that it wasn't adapted to tolerate the powerful bites of its Late Cretaceous cousins.

How aggressive were they?

These dinosaurs are assumed to be have been quite aggressive given their diet based upon other animals, as well as their large size and sturdy body structure.

Did you know...

The X. balmoensis type species was described by a group consisting of American and Chinese researchers in 2009.

What does the term Xiongguanlong mean?

The name 'Xiongguanlong' is a Mandarin term that means 'dragon from Xiong Guan'. The latter part of the name of the type species X. baimoensis is also derived from Mandarin and means white ghost. It originates from the White Ghost Castle formation that is close to the site of the fossil remains.

Xiongguanlong is larger than which dinosaur genus?

Xiongguanlong is believed to have been an intermediate between its earlier relatives that were smaller, and the later ones like Aliormus and Gorgosaurus that were larger.  

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 Archaeoceratops facts and Pegomastax fun facts for kids.

You can even occupy yourself at home by coloring in one of our free printable Xiongguanlong coloring pages.

Main image by Nobu Tamura.

Second image by Conty.