Dilophosaurus

JurassicCarnivoreMedium

Dilophosaurus

die-LOAF-oh-SORE-us

"Two-crested lizard"

Overview

Dilophosaurus was an early Jurassic theropod known for the pair of thin, parallel crests on its skull. A medium-sized predator, it was one of the earliest large carnivorous dinosaurs and has become famous — if inaccurately — from film portrayals.

Vital Statistics

Length

7 m

Height

2.5 m

Weight

400 kg

Est. Speed

30 km/h

Discovered

1970

Named by

Samuel Welles

Countries Discovered

United StatesChina

Fossil Locations

🦴

Leaflet © OpenStreetMap

📍 Kayenta Formation, Arizona

Interesting Facts

There is no fossil evidence Dilophosaurus spat venom or had a neck frill; those are movie inventions.

The paired crests were likely thin and fragile, used for display rather than combat.

Dilophosaurus was one of the largest predators of the Early Jurassic.

Several specimens show jaw deformities, suggesting it survived injuries.

Closest Relatives

CryolophosaurusSinosaurusDracovenatorZupaysaurus