Carnotaurus, derived from the Latin words "carnis" meaning flesh and "taurus" meaning bull, is a genus of extinct theropod dinosaur that lived during the Late Cretaceous period, approximately 72 to 69 million years ago.
Carnotaurus is known for its distinct and striking physical characteristics. It was a relatively large dinosaur, measuring about 8 to 9 meters in length and weighing around 1.5 to 2 tons. One of its most notable features was its distinct skull, which was short, deep, and highly robust. This skull had prominent horns above the eyes and a ridge on top, resembling a bull's horns, hence the name.
Furthermore, Carnotaurus possessed strong, well-developed hind limbs, suggesting its ability to run at considerable speeds. Its forelimbs, however, were relatively small and had only two fingers. Additionally, its body was compact and muscular, suggesting it was an agile predator.
The diet and feeding habits of Carnotaurus are still a subject of scientific debate. Due to its unique cranial structure, it is hypothesized that Carnotaurus may have employed an ambush hunting strategy, using its speed and powerful bite to capture prey swiftly. It is believed to have primarily fed on herbivorous dinosaurs such as small to medium-sized sauropods.
Carnotaurus remains are primarily found in Argentina, specifically in the fossil-rich region of Patagonia. Since the discovery of the first remains in 1985, multiple well-preserved skeletons have been uncovered, enabling scientists to study and understand this fascinating carnivorous dinosaur species.
