# Megalosaurus (*Megalosaurus bucklandii*)

Megalosaurus was a prehistoric dinosaur known for its distinctive features. Scientists study its bones to learn about how dinosaurs lived.

- **Category:** [Ancient](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/ancient)
- **Rarity:** Legendary
- **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low
- **Habitat:** Mesozoic forests and floodplains

![Megalosaurus](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Megalosaurus_dinosaur.png&width=800)

Photo: LadyofHats Mariana Ruiz Altered by FunkMonk and Steveoc 86, Public domain · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Megalosaurus_dinosaur.png)

## Appearance

The Megalosaurus was a robust, bipedal predator with a large head and short, powerful forelimbs. Its skin was likely mottled grey or brown for camouflage in its ancient forest habitat, making it visually distinct with its relatively short but muscular neck.

## Taxonomy

- **Kingdom:** Animalia

## Interesting facts

- Early scientists thought its bone belonged to a giant human, not a dinosaur!
- It was the first dinosaur ever named with a proper scientific name!
- Its discovery helped scientists realize huge, ancient reptiles once ruled Earth!
- Megalosaurus’s teeth were like steak knives, perfectly designed for slicing meat!

## Special abilities

- **Crushing Bite:** Megalosaurus has powerful jaws and serrated teeth that help them deliver a bone-crushing bite to subdue prey.
- **Rending Claws:** Megalosaurus can use its sharp, recurved claws on its three-fingered hands to grip and tear flesh from victims.
- **Powerful Legs:** Megalosaurus has strong, muscular hind legs that help them pursue prey with surprising speed and agility.

## Measurements & details

- **Length:** 6-9 m
- **Weight:** 700-1000 kg
- **Era:** Middle Jurassic
- **Extinct Millions Years Ago:** 163

## Diet & Feeding

A fearsome hunter, the Megalosaurus used its powerful jaws and claws to catch and eat other dinosaurs.

- **Primary Foods:** Cetiosaurus oxoniense, Lexovisaurus durobrivensis, Sarcolestes leedsi
- **Foraging Method:** Pursuit

## Ecological connections

- **Hunts:** Oxfordshire Whale Lizard (*Cetiosaurus oxoniense*) — Hunted large plant-eating sauropods
- **Hunts:** Lexovi Stegosaur (*Lexovisaurus durobrivensis*) — Preyed on armored stegosaurs of its time
- **Hunts:** Leeds' Flesh Robber (*Sarcolestes leedsi*) — Hunted smaller armored dinosaurs

## Traits

- [Ancient](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/ancient): Ancient refers to organisms, objects, or geological formations that have existed for an extremely long period.
- [Artifact](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/artifact): An artifact is an object made or modified by human culture, typically of historical or archaeological interest.
- [Fossil](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/fossil): A fossil is the preserved remains or traces of an ancient organism embedded in rock or other geological deposits.

## Collections

- [Ancient](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/ancient)

## Safety

**Danger:** 1/5 · Very low

While extremely dangerous in their time, this creature is now extinct.

## Frequently Asked Questions

### How to identify Megalosaurus?

Compare skull shape, horns, plates, limbs, posture and tail. Museum models and toys can mix features or follow outdated reconstructions. Dinosaur Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details.

### How long is Megalosaurus?

6-9 m

### How much does Megalosaurus weigh?

700-1000 kg

### What does Megalosaurus eat?

A fearsome hunter, the Megalosaurus used its powerful jaws and claws to catch and eat other dinosaurs.

### Where is Megalosaurus usually found?

Mesozoic forests and floodplains

### How does Megalosaurus hunt?

Pursuit

### What geologic era did Megalosaurus live in?

Middle Jurassic

### When did Megalosaurus go extinct?

163

## More Ancient

- [Tyrannosaurus rex](https://www.snappit.app/explore/tyrannosaurus-rex) (*Tyrannosaurus rex*)
- [Triceratops](https://www.snappit.app/explore/triceratops) (*Triceratops horridus*)
- [Stegosaurus](https://www.snappit.app/explore/stegosaurus) (*Stegosaurus stenops*)
- [Brachiosaurus](https://www.snappit.app/explore/brachiosaurus) (*Brachiosaurus altithorax*)

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Source: [Megalosaurus: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/megalosaurus)