Carcharodontosaurus Rivaled T. rex as a Shark-toothed Hunter

Carcharodontosaurus was one of the largest predatory dinosaurs to ever walk the planet, rivaling even the mighty T. rex. Measuring up to 41 feet (12.5 meters) in length and weighing as much as 7.5 tons, it was a true titan among theropod dinosaurs.

Fossil evidence shows that this predator roamed the lush landscapes of northern Africa around 90 to 100 million years ago, during the Upper Cretaceous period.

Unlike T. rex, which had bone-crushing jaws, Carcharodontosaurus relied on its blade-like serrated chompers — similar to great white shark teeth — to slice through the flesh of its prey. Carcharodontosaurus teeth were designed to inflict massive wounds, giving it an edge against other theropods and large herbivores that shared its environment.

Its massive size and powerful bite made it a top predator in the Late Cretaceous ecosystems.

The story of Carcharodontosaurus fossils is one of discovery, loss and rediscovery. The first fossils, including two teeth and part of a jaw, were discovered in the early 20th century in North Africa.

However, much of the original material, including the Carcharodontosaurus skull, was tragically lost during World War II when a German bombing raid destroyed the fossils stored in Munich.

Thankfully, in the 1990s, paleontologists discovered new theropod remains — including a nearly complete skull — allowing scientists to reconstruct this incredible predator. These discoveries shed new light on the genus, revealing its shark-like teeth and unique skeletal structure.

Today, these fossils, some of which are still being discovered, remain crucial to the study of vertebrate paleontology, offering insights into the anatomy and hunting strategies of one of history's most formidable predatory animals [source: Science Daily].

One of the most striking features of Carcharodontosaurus was its terrifying serrated teeth, which could grow up to 8 inches (20 cm) long. These teeth, much like those of modern carnivores and sharks, were ideal for tearing through the flesh of its prey.

With its massive jaws and razor-sharp dentition, Carcharodontosaurus could take down large prey such as sauropods and other herbivores with relative ease.

Its skeleton also reveals adaptations for power and agility. While it wasn't as heavily built as T. rex, it had long, muscular legs that allowed it to move quickly when hunting. These traits made it a formidable hunter, capable of challenging other top predators and dominating its ecosystem.

Interestingly, relatives of Carcharodontosaurus have been found in places like South America as well, suggesting that members of the Carcharodontosauridae family thrived in various parts of the world (the Upper Cretaceious was post-Pangea).

These predators were part of a global lineage of massive theropod dinosaurs, showing how evolution produced some of the most fearsome hunters in history [source: Smithsonian paper].

As a view to how the fight for survival evolved, Carcharodontosaurus might be the ultimate test for any would-be predator. It wasn't just one of the largest predatory dinosaurs; it was also a master of its environment, equipped with tools that modern carnivores could only dream of.

We created this article in conjunction with AI technology, then made sure it was fact-checked and edited by a HowStuffWorks editor.