Early theropod dinosaur
Dilophosaurus
This is Dilophosaurus, a meat-eating dinosaur that lived in North America during the Early Jurassic.
Can you spot the two thin crests side by side on its head? Now look for curved teeth and powerful hind legs.
Explore it in the 3D museum →
Meet this animal
- When it lived
- Early Jurassic (about 193 million years ago)
- Fossil discovery regions
- Kayenta Formation, Arizona, United States
- Size
- 6–7 metres
- Diet
- Meat-eater
- Classification
- Early theropod dinosaur
Dilophosaurus was an early large theropod, about 6–7 metres long, that walked on two strong hind legs. Its pair of thin head crests is distinctive. Their colour and exact purpose remain unknown, although they may have helped animals recognise one another or attract mates.
Keep exploring
StegosaurusStegosaur dinosaur
PteranodonPterosaur (flying reptile)
PachycephalosaurusDome-headed dinosaur
IchthyosaursMarine reptiles
Tyrannosaurus rexTyrannosaurid theropod dinosaur
RhamphorhynchusLong-tailed pterosaur (flying reptile)
TriceratopsCeratopsian dinosaur
ApatosaurusSauropod dinosaur
PlesiosaursMarine reptiles
GigantoraptorLarge oviraptorosaur dinosaur
TupandactylusToothless pterosaur with a huge head crest
Woolly mammothPrehistoric mammal in the elephant family
MegalodonPrehistoric shark
MaiasauraDuck-billed dinosaur
SauropeltaNodosaurid armoured dinosaur
MeganeuraGiant griffinfly
MosasaurusLarge marine squamate reptile
VelociraptorDromaeosaurid theropod dinosaur
ParasaurolophusLambeosaurine duck-billed dinosaur
DunkleosteusArthrodire placoderm fish
Ammonite scanExtinct marine cephalopod shell fossil (specimen identity unresolved)
JaekelopterusPterygotid eurypterid (source identity unresolved)
SmilodonMachairodont sabre-toothed cat
SpinosaurusSpinosaurid theropod dinosaur