Name:
Ekrixinatosaurus (Greek for "explosion-born lizard"); pronounced eck-RIX-ee-nat-oh-SORE-us
Habitat:
Woodlands of South America
Historical Period:
Middle Cretaceous (100 million years ago)
Size and Weight:
About 20 feet long and one ton
Diet:
Meat
Distinguishing Characteristics:
Bipedal stance; short arms
About Ekrixinatosaurus:
The most interesting thing about some dinosaurs is their names. That's the case with Ekrixinatosaurus, a nearly-unpronounceable jumble of Greek roots that translates as "explosion-born lizard"--a reference to the fact that this large theropod's bones were discovered during construction-related blasting. Ekrixinatosaurus is classified as an abelisaur (and hence a relative of Abelisaurus), and it also shared some characteristics with the better-known Majungatholus and Carnotaurus.
