The First Dinosaur Named
Meet Megalosaurus, one of the earliest dinosaurs ever discovered and named!
| Meaning | Great lizard [Megal-o-saurus] |
| Pronunciation | MEG-uh-lo-sore-us |
| When: | Middle Jurassic (about 166–160 million years ago) |
| Where: | Europe (present-day England, France) |
| What: | Theropod (carnivorous) |
| Weight: | Estimated around 1–2 metric tons |
| Length: | Approximately 9–10 meters (30–33 feet) |
| Diet: | Carnivorous (likely preyed on smaller dinosaurs and other vertebrates) |
| Discovered: | First described by William Buckland in 1824 |
Living during the Middle Jurassic period, approximately 166 million years ago, Megalosaurus was a formidable carnivore that prowled the ancient landscapes of what is now Europe.
It was among the first dinosaurs to be formally described, paving the way for the recognition of dinosaurs as a distinct group of ancient reptiles.
Megalosaurus was about 9 meters (30 feet) long and had powerful jaws filled with sharp teeth, which it used to hunt and devour smaller dinosaurs and other prey.
Its name means “great lizard,” reflecting its size and fearsome reputation among other Jurassic creatures.
Imagine Megalosaurus stalking its prey through dense forests or across open plains, a dominant predator in its environment.