The 4 Deadliest Dinosaurs That Ever Lived
Throughout the Mesozoic, dinosaurs ranging from docile to deadly ruled our planet. These prehistoric creatures were some of the most fearsome predators ever to walk the earth. The sheer size of some dinosaurs made them a threat, while other key features, such as sharp talons, made them threatening. Get the facts about the four deadliest dinosaurs that ever lived.
T. rex
The T. rex is one of the first creatures that usually comes to mind when we think about deadly dinosaurs. This famous and beloved beast was an apex predator throughout its territory—the western U.S.—throughout the early Cretaceous period.
The massive size of this theropod, combined with its rows of razor-sharp teeth, made it a lethal threat to any prey in the area. Most scientists theorize that a T. rex could run around 12 miles per hour. Running at these speeds would allow it to chase and capture slower-moving dinosaurs such as the Triceratops.
Ceratosaurus
The Ceratosaurus was one of many large theropods during the late Jurassic period. Fossil records show that prehistoric beasts lived what’s now Portugal and the United States, so it likely ate herbivores living in its area.
Interestingly, its name means “horned lizard,” science likely chose this because of the sharp, horn-like structures along its head and back. This body armor made it perfect for defense against other predators. Moreover, its sharp claws allowed it to grab and slash prey, easily delivering lethal wounds.
Diplodocus
Generally, we don’t consider herbivorous creatures to be some of the deadliest dinosaurs that ever lived. After all, herbivores don’t hunt, so they’re not a direct threat to any animals in the area. However, as a member of the sauropod group, the Diplodocus was massive, and with size comes certain dangers; with a single step, it could mistakenly crush any creature in its path.
The Diplodocus lived during the late Jurassic period and what is now the United States. In addition to being massive, it may have defended itself by using its tail as a whip to strike at and deter predators.
Triceratops
Although the Triceratops were herbivores, such as the Diplodocus, and prey to beasts such as the T. rex, they could still be dangerous. This member of the Ceratopsian family lived during the Cretaceous period in western regions of what’s now North America.
The Triceratops could use its horns to fend off and possibly pierce the predator when defending itself. A male Triceratops may also use its horns to fight a member of its kind when trying to impress a mate.
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