Tyrannomimus
Tyrannomimus was an ostrich-like dinosaur that lived in what is now Japan. It had a small head, a long neck, and probably ate plants and small animals. Scientists think it could run fast on its long legs.21
When did it live?
Fun facts
Tyrannomimus is the earliest known member of the Deinocheiridae family, a group of ostrich-like dinosaurs.2
Its name means 'tyrant mimic' because its hip bone looked like that of a tyrannosaur.1
Tyrannomimus lived about 121 to 113 million years ago during the Early Cretaceous period.4
Scientists found many bones of Tyrannomimus in the same quarry, suggesting several individuals died together.2
Tyrannomimus had a deep hollow in its skull called a tympanic recess, which helped make its head lighter.2
Its fossils were discovered in the Kitadani Formation in Japan, which also contained other dinosaurs like Fukuiraptor and Fukuisaurus.1
Most asked questions about Tyrannomimus
?How big was Tyrannomimus?
Scientists don't know its exact size yet, but it was an ostrich-sized dinosaur, so about 2 to 3 metres long.3
?What did Tyrannomimus eat?
It probably ate both plants and small animals. It had a small head and toothless jaws covered by a horny beak, like other ostrich-mimic dinosaurs.3
?Could Tyrannomimus run fast?
Yes, it could run fast on its long legs. Ostrich-mimic dinosaurs like Tyrannomimus were built for speed.3
?Why is it called Tyrannomimus?
Its name means 'tyrant mimic' because its hip bone looked like that of a tyrannosaur, even though it was not a close relative.1
?When did Tyrannomimus live?
It lived about 121 to 113 million years ago, during the Early Cretaceous period.3
?Is Tyrannomimus a dinosaur?
Yes, it is a dinosaur. It belongs to a group of ostrich-like dinosaurs called ornithomimosaurs.1
Ask Rex about Tyrannomimus
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: Tyrannomimus might be a tyrannosaur because of its name and hip shape.
Truth: Tyrannomimus is actually an ornithomimosaur, an ostrich-like dinosaur, not a tyrannosaur. Its hip bone only looked similar.1
For dino experts
- Scientific name
- Tyrannomimus
- Named by
- Hattori et al. 20234
- Group
- Ostrich dinos
- Family / clade
- Deinocheiridae4
- Classification
- Theropoda > Ornithomimosauria4
- Age of the rocks
- 121 to 113 million years (Aptian)4
- Rock formations
- Kitadani4
- Countries
- Japan4
- Fossil records
- 1 in the Paleobiology Database4
- Discovery
- Tyrannomimus was named in 2023 by a team of Japanese scientists led by S. Hattori. The fossils were found in the Kitadani Dinosaur Quarry in Fukui, Japan.42
- Still debated
- Scientists are not sure exactly what Tyrannomimus ate, because its toothless beak could have been used for both plants and small animals.2
Where the facts come from
- Tyrannomimus (en.wikipedia.org)
- New theropod dinosaur from the Lower Cretaceous of Japan provides critical implications for the early evolution of ornithomimosaurs | Scientific Reports (nature.com)
- New Species of Ostrich-Mimic Dinosaur Discovered in Japan | Sci.News (sci.news)
- Tyrannomimus 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
Gallimimus
Ornithomimus
Struthiomimus
Deinocheirus
Dromiceiomimus
Archaeornithomimus
Stegosaurus
Iguanodon
Archaeopteryx
Giganotosaurus
Microraptor
Deinonychus