Torvosaurus

jurassic · dinosaur · carnivore · ancient predator

Giant meat eater. Torvosaurus was one of the largest carnivorous dinosaurs of the Late Jurassic period, living between 165 and 146.5 million years ago. It was a fearsome predator that walked on two powerful hind legs.

Lived on multiple continents. Fossils of Torvosaurus have been found in Colorado, Portugal, Germany, and possibly England, Spain, Tanzania, and Uruguay. This shows that dinosaurs were spread across the world during the Jurassic period.

Part of megalosaur family. Torvosaurus belonged to a group of large theropod dinosaurs called megalosaurs. These were some of the biggest predatory dinosaurs of their time, ruling as apex hunters.

Two known species. Scientists have identified two recognized species: Torvosaurus tanneri and Torvosaurus gurneyi, plus a third unnamed species from Germany. Each may have had slightly different features and behaviors.