Majungasaurus

Majungasaurus was a short-snouted abelisaurid theropod that lived at the very end of the Cretaceous on the isolated island of Madagascar. Measuring six to seven metres long, it had an unmistakable profile defined by a blunt snout, a single rounded horn on the roof of its skull, extremely short forelimbs, and stocky, robust hind legs. Isolated from the mainland, Majungasaurus served as the island's top land predator, hunting the titanosaur Rapetosaurus. Beautifully preserved skeletons, including delicate braincases, make it one of the most anatomically understood theropods in the fossil record. Direct evidence of cannibalism has been documented through distinctive tooth drag marks on Majungasaurus bones that match the dentition of its own species, reflecting a harsh, seasonal environment.

Bite marks on Majungasaurus bones matching its own teeth provide direct evidence of cannibalism.

Where and when

Majungasaurus lived in the Late Cretaceous, from 70 to 66 million years ago (Maastrichtian age). Its remains come from Madagascar, in the Maevarano Formation.

The numbers

Length 6.5 m (estimates run from 6 to 7 m). Mass about 940 kg. Hip height about 2 m. That is 3.8 human-lengths, or 0.58 of a double-decker bus. These are estimates from near-complete skeleton; fields marked estimated by the site are length, mass, hip height.

Compare Majungasaurus with a bus Place on the timeline