Ichthyovenator

spinosaur · fish hunter · Early Cretaceous · Laos

Name means fish hunter. Ichthyovenator's name tells us exactly what this dinosaur did for dinner. Scientists gave it this name because it was built to catch fish in the rivers and streams of ancient Laos.

Lived in Laos long ago. This spinosaur roamed what is now the country of Laos during the Early Cretaceous, between 120 and 113 million years ago. The fossils were found in an area called the Savannakhet Basin.

Only partial remains found. The first skeleton discovered in 2010 didn't have a skull or limbs, which made it tricky for scientists to piece together what Ichthyovenator looked like. In 2014, more bones were found from the same dinosaur, including teeth and backbones.

River creature with spines. Ichthyovenator was a spinosaur, meaning it had tall spines along its back. It likely spent time in water hunting fish, similar to how crocodiles hunt today.

Recently discovered dinosaur. Scientists only named this dinosaur in 2012 after finding it in 2010. It's one of the newer dinosaurs we've learned about, and every fossil found helps us understand what early dinosaurs were really like.