FACT FILE: Allosaurus

Name origin: Greek allos (different, other) and sauros (lizard)

Short Description: Large apex theropod predatory dinosaur

Height (adult): 3 to 6 metres

Length (adult): 7.5 to 12 metres

Weight (adult): 1.5-4 metric tons

Temporal range: 155-150 Mya

Distribution: North America and Europe
Sexual maturity (in years): 8 or 10

Description: Allosaurus was the top land predator of Jurassic Wyoming. Allosaurs hunted solitary for the most part, but smaller individuals may have worked together for mutual advantage.  They preferred to hunt in the dry plains, where they can hunt large prey.

Notes: Allosaurus was the first species programmed into DINODRIFTERS! The story of Big Al, a famous fossil specimen from the Morrison Formation, inspired the creation of DINODRIFTERS.