Latenivenatrix
Latenivenatrix was a large, bird-like dinosaur that lived in what is now Canada. It was one of the biggest troodontids ever found, and it probably ate both plants and meat. Scientists are still debating whether it was really its own species or just a different name for another dinosaur called Stenonychosaurus.13
When did it live?
How big was it?
How big was Latenivenatrix compared to YOU?
Just maths in your browser. Nothing is saved or sent anywhere.
Fun facts
Latenivenatrix is the largest known troodontid, reaching up to 3.5 meters (11.5 feet) in length.1
Its name means 'hiding huntress' in Latin, because it was a stealthy predator.1
The first fossil of Latenivenatrix was found in 1968 by Irene Vanderloh in Alberta, Canada.1
Some scientists think Latenivenatrix might actually be the same species as Stenonychosaurus, not a separate dinosaur.1
Latenivenatrix had a special pelvis with a pubis bone that was tilted backward at a 17-degree angle.1
Most asked questions about Latenivenatrix
?How big was Latenivenatrix?
It was about 3 to 3.5 metres (9.8 to 11.5 ft) long, making it the largest known troodontid. Its skull was about 45 centimetres (18 in) long.1
?What did Latenivenatrix eat?
It was probably a semi-omnivore, meaning it ate both plants and meat. It was a bird-like dinosaur that likely hunted small prey and also ate plants.1
?Is Latenivenatrix a dinosaur?
Yes, it is a dinosaur. It belongs to a group of bird-like dinosaurs called troodontids.1
?When did Latenivenatrix live?
It lived about 75.5 million years ago during the Cretaceous Period. Its fossils were found in Alberta, Canada.1
?What does the name Latenivenatrix mean?
It means 'hiding huntress' in Latin, because it was a stealthy predator.2
?Could Latenivenatrix fly?
No, it could not fly. As a troodontid, it probably lost the ability to fly and was a biped that walked on two legs.1
Ask Rex about Latenivenatrix
Rex only answers questions about this page. 3 questions a day.
Rex is an AI and can make mistakes. He runs on servers in the EU and questions are never saved. Never type your name or other personal things.
Myth buster
Myth: Latenivenatrix is definitely a unique dinosaur species.
Truth: Some scientists argue that Latenivenatrix is actually a junior synonym of Stenonychosaurus, meaning it may not be a separate species.1
For dino experts
- Scientific name
- Latenivenatrix
- Named by
- van der Reest and Currie 20173
- Group
- Raptors
- Family / clade
- Troodontidae3
- Classification
- Theropoda > Troodontidae3
- Age of the rocks
- 84 to 72 million years (Campanian)3
- Rock formations
- Dinosaur Park3
- Countries
- Canada3
- Fossil records
- 4 in the Paleobiology Database3
- Discovery
- Latenivenatrix was named in 2017 by paleontologists Aaron van der Reest and Philip Currie. The type specimen was originally collected in 1968 and had been assigned to other troodontids before being recognized as a new genus.13
- Still debated
- Scientists still debate whether Latenivenatrix is a valid genus or just a synonym of Stenonychosaurus.1
Where the facts come from
- Latenivenatrix (en.wikipedia.org)
- Paleo Profile: The Hiding Hunter | Scientific American (scientificamerican.com)
- Latenivenatrix in The Paleobiology Database (CC BY 4.0): age, places, rock formations, classification.
Every fact on this page has a number that points to its source. If we got something wrong, sorry, we are dino fans, not a science journal. Tell us at [email protected] and we will fix it.
Rex is hungry! Dino Wiki is a dad's project for his dino-loving son, free with no ads. Grown-ups can feed Rex a snack to help keep it online.Feed Rex
Velociraptor
Microraptor
Deinonychus
Asiamericana
Richardoestesia
Saurornitholestes
Triceratops
Spinosaurus
Ankylosaurus
Parasaurolophus
Pteranodon