Metriacanthosaurus

Metriacanthosaurus is a genus of carnivorous theropod that existed during the Late Jurassic period. Named after the spines on its vertebrae – the name translates to ‘moderately-spined lizard’ – Metriacanthosaurus can grow up to eight metres in length and over a tonne in weight, and preys on large herbivores. Despite its relatively large size, Metriacanthosaurus can reach speeds of up to 20mph.

Discovery

This genus was first described in 1923 by German palaeontologist Friedrich von Huene, although the first fossils found – parts of a backbone and leg bones. – were initially attributed to Megalosaurus. Further research throughout the 20th Century led to it being reclassified as Altispinax, and finally Metriacanthosaurus in 1964, when English palaeontologist Alick Walker declared that the bones were that of a new genus.

Palaeoecology

Metriacanthosaurus lived around 160m years ago on the south coast of England, using the thick forests and jungles that grew during this period to sneak up on its prey. Its diet consisted mainly of other dinosaurs as well as some marine reptiles that swam near the shores.