Carnotaurus Characteristics

Carnotaurus was a large strange-looking theropod that measured 26 feet (8 metres) in length, 6.5 feet (2.2 metres) in height and weighed up to 2 tons. Carnotaurus were recognisable by their 2 thick horns positioned above their eyes. These horns were too small to be of much use. Their skull would not have been able to withstand any butting. Carnotaurus had very small forelimbs and 4 basic digits on their hands. The middle 2 digits ended in finger bones. Their fourth digit was splint-like and may have been an external 'spur'. They did not have claws and the fingers were fused together and immobile. Carnotaurus had an unusually long neck compared to other Albelisaurs and a very short snout. Its head was small with box shaped jaws. Carnotaurus may have had binocular vision, as unlike many dinosaurs, its eyes were forward facing. Along its back, Carnotaurus had a row of bumps which increased in size towards the spine. Carnotaurus was a bipedal dinosaur and walked on 2 legs. Carnotaurus probably ate young plant eating dinosaurs, though there is still much debate about its diet.

Fossils have been discovered by Jose F Bonaparte in South America. A single nearly complete skeleton has been described including impressions of skin along almost the entire right side, that show Carnotaurus lacked feathers, unlike the more advanced coelurosaurian theropods.

Carnotaurus was named by Jose F Bonaparte in 1985.