Metriacanthosauridae

Metriacanthosauridae is an extinct family of carnivorous theropod dinosaurs from the Jurassic period. Characterized by moderately tall neural spines on their vertebrae, these mid-sized predators occupied ecological niches across what is now Europe and Asia. The family bridges the gap between primitive carnosaurs and more derived theropods.

Diet & Feeding

Carnivore

Metriacanthosauridae 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

Metriacanthosauridae 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.