Species
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
—observations
—countries
—peak records
ExtinctConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXExtinctRed List categories, explained →
Diet & preyRebbachisaurus, 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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