Carnotaurus

Carnotaurus
Carnotaurus, Bonaparte, 1985

number on the map: 18

Superorder: Dinosauria
Clade: Saurischia

Carnotaurus is a theropod from the clade Saurischia. It likely owes its name to the horns above the eyes, which were not found in other predatory dinosaurs (association with a bull). Perhaps the horns helped in fights, during which they absorbed the striking force and prevented damage to the eyes. The best-preserved fossils of Carnotaurus were found at the current territory of Argentina in 1984. It is the best-known theropod of the southern hemisphere. Currently, the genus Carnotaurus includes one species: Carnotaurus sastrei, whose specific name honours Angel Sastre, the owner of the ranch on which the remains of this dinosaur were found.

body length: 8–10 m
body mass: 1 500 kg
temporal range: ca. 70 mya