Daspletosaurus

dinosaur · meat-eater · Cretaceous

A Tyrannosaurid Cousin. Daspletosaurus belonged to the same family of dinosaurs as the famous Tyrannosaurus rex, but it lived about 10 to 15 million years earlier during the Late Cretaceous Period.

Lived in Laramidia. This predator roamed a vast ancient landmass called Laramidia that covered parts of what is now Canada and the western United States. Its fossils have been found in Alberta and Montana.

Ruled for 4.6 Million Years. Daspletosaurus lived between about 79 and 74.4 million years ago, giving the genus a fairly long time to thrive compared to many other dinosaurs.

Three Different Species. Scientists have named three species of Daspletosaurus: the earliest D. torosus, the later D. horneri, and D. wilsoni, which may have been a middle species showing how one species transformed into another over time.

Mighty Hunter. Like other tyrannosaurs, Daspletosaurus was a powerful predator with sharp teeth and strong jaws, making it one of the top hunters of its time.