Species · GBIF taxon 4967049
Carcharodontosaurus saharicus
Carcharodontosaurus saharicusAlso known as Shark-Toothed Lizard, African T-Rex
Carcharodontosaurus saharicus was a colossal terrestrial predator that dominated the waterways and floodplains of mid-Cretaceous North Africa. Equipped with deeply serrated teeth reminiscent of great white sharks, it utilized a devastating slashing bite to weaken massive sauropod prey through rapid blood loss. Balanced by a heavy tail and propelled by muscular hind limbs, this apex theropod competed directly alongside giant contemporaries along prehistoric river deltas.
CarnivorePrehistoricApex Predator
Licensed referenceMatthew Deery / CC BY 2.0 · cc-by
—observations
—countries
—peak records
ExtinctConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXExtinctRed List categories, explained →
Diet & prey
- Rebbachisaurus
- Ouranosaurus
- Paralititan
ThreatsLate Cretaceous marine transgressions and habitat loss
HabitatsCoastal mangrove swamps, braided river systems, and floodplains
Life span30–45 years
Classification
- FamilyCarcharodontosauridae
- SpeciesCarcharodontosaurus saharicus
Range data is not available yet.
Interaction riskLow
- Low
- Moderate
- High
- Very high
- Why interaction risk is low
- Extinct species known only from Cretaceous fossil remains.
Responsible observation
- Fossil Examination: Inspect cast skulls in natural history museums to view the blade-like tooth serrations.
- Field Paleontology: Look for isolated shed teeth preserved within the fluvial sandstone of the Kem Kem Beds.
Competitor (c) Kabacchi, some rights reserved (CC BY) · cc-by
Prey Nizar Ibrahim, Paul C. Sereno, David J. Varricchio, David M. Martill, Didier B. Dutheil, David M. Unwin, Lahssen Baidder, Hans C. E. Larsson, Samir Zouhri, Abdelhadi Kaoukaya / CC BY 4.0 · cc-by
Prey Filippo Bertozzo, Fabio Marco Dalla Vecchia, Matteo Fabbri / CC BY 4.0 · cc-by
Close Relative Jonathan Chen / CC BY-SA 4.0 · cc-by-sa
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