Gorgosaurus

dinosaur · predator · late cretaceous · tyrannosaurid

Fearsome tyrannosaurid hunter. Gorgosaurus was a large meat-eating dinosaur that belonged to the same family as the famous T. rex. It roamed the forests and plains of western North America during the Late Cretaceous Period.

Ancient time traveler. This dinosaur lived between about 76.5 and 73 million years ago, long before the final extinction of dinosaurs. That was during a time period called the Campanian.

Found in two countries. Scientists have discovered Gorgosaurus fossils in western Canada and the state of Montana. These rocky locations tell us where this predator once walked the Earth.

One true species. There is only one species of Gorgosaurus that paleontologists agree on, called G. libratus. Other dinosaurs were sometimes mistakenly called Gorgosaurus, but they turned out to be different animals.

Built for hunting. As a theropod, Gorgosaurus had sharp teeth, powerful legs for running, and clawed hands perfect for catching prey. It was designed by nature to be one of the top predators of its time.