Species
Shaochilong
Chilantaisaurus maortuensisAlso known as Shark-toothed Dragon, Shark-toothed Lizard
Shaochilong stalked the river-crossed floodplains of Cretaceous Asia on powerful hind limbs, wielding curved, blade-like teeth specialized for slicing through tough dinosaur hide. As an early Asian representative of the carcharodontosaur lineage, it played a critical apex role in ecosystems before large tyrannosauroids rose to dominance. Fossilized skull elements indicate sharp stereoscopic focus and agile head movements well-suited for ambushing large herbivorous dinosaurs.
PrehistoricCarnivoreBipedal
—observations
—countries
—peak records
ExtinctConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXExtinctRed List categories, explained →
Diet & preyOrnithopod dinosaurs, Juvenile sauropods, Basal ceratopsians
ThreatsEnvironmental turnover, volcanic activity, and competitive pressure (prehistoric)
HabitatsRiver floodplains, lake basins, and open woodlands of prehistoric Asia
Life spanEstimated 15–25 years
Classification
- FamilyAllosauridae
- SpeciesChilantaisaurus maortuensis
Range data is not available yet.
Interaction riskLow
- Low
- Moderate
- High
- Very high
- Why interaction risk is low
- Extinct species known only from fossils; safe to observe in museum collections.
Responsible observation
- Museum Viewing: Examine casts of the maxilla to spot distinctive carcharodontosaurid enamel wrinkles.
- Fossil Etiquette: Support paleontology by viewing verified replicas and leaving in situ bedrock undisturbed.
Close Relative (c) FunkMonk, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA) · cc-by-sa
Close Relative Matthew Deery / CC BY 2.0 · cc-by
Same Family (c) Allosaurus_SDNHM.jpg, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA) · cc-by-sa
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