Torvosaurus gurneyi

† Torvosaurus gurneyi is a Late Jurassic megalosaurid theropod from the Lourinhã Formation of Portugal, the largest known European theropod. Named for paleo-artist James Gurney, it was a formidable apex predator in Jurassic Iberian ecosystems.

Diet & Feeding

Carnivore

Torvosaurus gurneyi was a meat-eating predator. Carnivorous dinosaurs were active hunters or scavengers, equipped with sharp teeth and claws for catching and consuming prey. They occupied the top of the food chain in their ecosystems.

Time Period

Jurassic Late Mesozoic Era

Torvosaurus gurneyi lived during the Jurassic Late period of the Mesozoic Era, approximately 161.5 to 145.0 million years ago.

One of the most iconic periods for dinosaurs. Giant sauropods like Brachiosaurus and Diplodocus roamed alongside predators like Allosaurus. Archaeopteryx, the earliest known bird, appeared. The Morrison Formation preserves an extraordinary fossil record from this time.