Key Information
Concavenator
| Species | Concavenator corcovatus |
| Diet | Carnivore |
| Length | 16 to 20 ft |
| Height | 6 ft |
| Weight | 710 to 880 lb |
| Timescale | Early Cretaceous |
| Classification | Saurischia > Theropoda > Carcharadontosauria |
Learning Point
- The Concavenator was a medium-sized, two-legged meat-eater from Spain that lived about 125 million years ago. Its two most remarkable features are a unique, pointed sail or hump on its back, likely used for display or temperature control, and small quill knobs on its forearm bones. These knobs are a crucial discovery because, like in modern birds, they suggest the dinosaur may have had simple, quill-like structures, providing key evidence about feathers in dinosaurs.
Project
- Draw a picture of Concavenator in its natural habitat.
- Overview
- X-Ray
Location
| Confirmed | Spain |
Fun Facts
- The name, Concavenator means “Cuenca hunter” in Greek, because its nearly complete fossil was found in the Cuenca region of Spain.
- Its biggest surprise is a strange hump or crest on its back, right in front of its hips! Scientists think this might have been for showing off to other dinosaurs or for helping it warm up and cool down in the sun.
- On its forearm, Concavenator had small bumps called quill knobs. These bumps are where modern birds anchor their feathers, suggesting this dinosaur might have had simple, bristly feathers or quills, even though it was a big meat-eater!
- The fossil of Concavenator was so well-preserved that scientists could even find impressions of its scales on its feet and tail, giving us a clear picture of its skin.
Past Lessons
| 214 | December 8, 2025 | (North America) |