Ichthyovenator
Ichthyovenator was a fish-eating dinosaur with a wavy sail on its back. It lived in what is now Laos during the Early Cretaceous period, about 120 to 113 million years ago. Its sail was shaped like two waves, which made it different from other sail-backed dinosaurs.1
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Fun facts
Ichthyovenator had a sail on its back that was shaped like two waves, curving down over its hips. No other spinosaurid dinosaur had a sail like that.1
Its tail had unusually tall spines, which may have helped it swim like modern crocodiles.1
Ichthyovenator lived alongside sauropods, iguanodonts, turtles, and fish in a river or lake environment.1
The first fossils were found in 2010 in a red sandstone layer, all within an area smaller than 2 square metres.1
Ichthyovenator was the first definite spinosaurid dinosaur discovered in Asia.1
Its teeth were straight and without serrations, perfect for grabbing slippery fish.1
Most asked questions about Ichthyovenator
?How big was Ichthyovenator?
Ichthyovenator was about 8.5 to 10.5 metres (28 to 34 feet) long and weighed around 2 to 2.4 tonnes (2.2 to 2.6 short tons).1
?What did Ichthyovenator eat?
Ichthyovenator mainly ate fish, as its name means 'fish hunter'. It may also have eaten small dinosaurs and pterosaurs.1
?Why did Ichthyovenator have a wavy sail?
Scientists think the wavy sail was used for display, like attracting mates or recognizing its own species, not for controlling body temperature.12
?Could Ichthyovenator swim?
Yes, it likely could swim. Its tail had unusually tall spines, similar to modern crocodiles, which may have helped it paddle through water.1
?Where was Ichthyovenator found?
Ichthyovenator was found in Laos, in the Savannakhet Basin, from a red sandstone layer in the Grès supérieurs Formation.1
?Is Ichthyovenator a dinosaur?
Yes, Ichthyovenator is a dinosaur. It is a type of spinosaurid theropod that lived during the Early Cretaceous period.1
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Myth buster
Myth: Ichthyovenator was a slow, clumsy dinosaur that only ate fish.
Truth: Ichthyovenator was likely a good swimmer and may have also hunted small dinosaurs and pterosaurs, not just fish.1
For dino experts
- Scientific name
- Ichthyovenator
- Named by
- Allain et al. 20123
- Group
- Spinosaurs
- Family / clade
- Spinosauridae3
- Classification
- Theropoda > Spinosauridae3
- Age of the rocks
- 121 to 113 million years (Aptian)3
- Rock formations
- Grès supérieurs3
- Countries
- Laos3
- Fossil records
- 1 in the Paleobiology Database3
- Discovery
- Ichthyovenator was named in 2012 by paleontologist Ronan Allain and his team. The fossils were found in 2010 at Ban Kalum in Laos, and more bones were dug up in 2012.1
- Still debated
- Scientists are not sure whether Ichthyovenator belonged to the spinosaurine or baryonychine group. Recent studies place it as a primitive spinosaurine.1
Where the facts come from
- Ichthyovenator (en.wikipedia.org)
- Ichthyovenator: The Sail-Backed Fish Hunter of Laos (smithsonianmag.com)
- Ichthyovenator in The Paleobiology Database (CC BY 4.0): age, places, rock formations, classification.
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Ceratosuchops
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Iguanodon
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Deinonychus