Stay Curious

SIGN UP FOR OUR WEEKLY NEWSLETTER AND UNLOCK ONE MORE ARTICLE FOR FREE.

Sign Up

VIEW OUR Privacy Policy


Discover Magazine Logo

WANT MORE? KEEP READING FOR AS LOW AS $1.99!

Subscribe

ALREADY A SUBSCRIBER?

FIND MY SUBSCRIPTION
Advertisement

Could Spinosaurus Really Take On T. rex? And Other Facts

Spinosaurus was one of the biggest predators of its time, but was it big enough to take down the Tyrannosaurus rex?

ByMonica Cull
Credit:Daniel Eskridge/Shutterstock

Newsletter

Sign up for our email newsletter for the latest science news

Sign Up

Popular among dinosaur lovers and Jurassic Park fans alike, Spinosaurus was once a mighty predator of the Late Cretaceous Period. The dinosaur's long, paddle-like tail likely helped propel it through the water and its crocodile-like snout made it apt at hunting fish. Most notably, it had a large sail on its back. The debate on whether or not this dino used its sail for swimming is still ongoing.

The story behind the first discovered Spinosaurus fossils is almost as interesting as another ongoing debate — would it win a fight against the Tyrannosaurus rex? Here are some more interesting facts about the Spinosaurus.

(Credit:Racksuz/Shutterstock)

According to the Encyclopedia Britannica, Spinosaurus measured about 45 to 60 feet long and stood over 20 feet high. It likely weighed anywhere from 13 to 22 tons (26,000 to 44,000 pounds), making it much larger than T. rex. It also had a skull that measured ...

  • Monica Cull

    Monica Cull is a Digital Editor/Writer for Discover Magazine who writes and edits articles focusing on animal sciences, ancient humans, national parks, and health trends. 

Stay Curious

JoinOur List

Sign up for our weekly science updates

View our Privacy Policy

SubscribeTo The Magazine

Save up to 40% off the cover price when you subscribe to Discover magazine.

Subscribe
Advertisement

0 Free Articles