Cryolophosaurus

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Cryolophosaurus is one of the largest theropods of the Early Jurassic era, measuring around 7m in length and half a tonne in weight. It was one of the first carnivorous dinosaurs, feeding on smaller dinosaurs and mammals. The name Cryolophosaurus, which translates to ‘frozen crested lizard’, is a reference to the striking crest on its head and the cold climate of its habitat, Antarctica.

Discovery

This genus was discovered in 1990 by American palaeontologist William R. Hammer while on an expedition to Antarctica. Hammer unearthed a femur and a skull from a quarry, noting that the unique head crest must mean that it was a new genus – a belief that was confirmed when the find was officially classified in 1994.

Palaeoecology

Although Antarctica is one of the coldest places on earth nowadays, during Cryolophosaurus’ existence – during the Early Jurassic period, around 170m years ago - it had a cool climate that rarely reached freezing temperatures. Cryolophosaurus lived alongside only one other known genus of dinosaur, the sauropodomorph Glacialisaurus, although other reptiles and mammals shared the environment.