SPINOSAURUS
(SPINE-oh-saw-rus)

Spinosaurus lived about 110 million years ago. It was a very large meat-eater with powerful jaws and a fearsome set of teeth. The name Spinosaurus means "Spiny Reptile." Maybe it got this name because of the huge fin, or sail, on its back.

Spinosaurus was about 40 feet long and weighed up to 7 tons (14,000 pounds). Due to its relatively light weight, as compared to its size, it probably could have moved very quickly. It walked on its hind legs and used its front ones to grab its prey. With its sharp claws, sharp teeth and crocodile-like jaws, not many rivals could conquer it. The sail on its back stood over 6 feet high, which is taller than most full size cars. Like other sail dinosaurs, it probably used the sail to get warmth from the sun or release excess body heat into the air to control its body temperature.

If Spinosaurus had a pair of roller blades, that sail on its back would have come in pretty handy when the wind was blowing.

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