Allosaurus was a common carnivorous (meat-eating) dinosaur
in North America during the late Jurassic and early
Cretaceous period,
approximately 154 to 135 million
years ago. Allosaurus
fossils
have also been found in Africa and
Australia.
Allosaurus was up to 39 feet (11.9 meters) long,
and weighed approximately 1.7 tons.
Some scientists believe Allosaurus was too heavy to chase down prey, and
therefore was probably a scavenger. However, others believe that Allosaurus
may have been quite agile, and could even have hunted in packs to bring down
giant herbivores (plant-eaters) such as
Apatosaurus or
Diplodocus.
The first Allosaurus
fossil
was incorrectly described as a "petrified horse hoof".
In fact, it was a caudal vertebra (tail bone) of this dinosaur, although
it was not recognized as such at the time.
Using much more material, including a partial skeleton,
Othniel C. Marsh
published the first description of Allosaurus in 1877.
One of the most important Allosaurus specimens found, was
discovered in
Wyoming,
in 1991.
This animal, which has been nicknamed "Big Al", was actually smaller than
average for its particular species of Allosaurus (it was probably not fully grown),
and even though many bones showed signs of infection (which may have contributed to the animal's death),
was very important because the skeleton was 95% complete. Furthermore, the same team which discovered
"Big Al", also subsequently discovered a second well-preserved specimen, which has been nicknamed
"Big Al Two".
The discovery, and possible life-story of "Big Al", served as inspiration
for a special episode of the BBC/Discovery TV series, Walking With Dinosaurs,
entitled "The Ballad of Big Al" (see Amazon.com video box immediately below).
Allosaurus has been designated the official state
fossil of
Utah,
since
1988.
Cretaceous Period -
Allosaurus lived between about 154 million years ago and 135 million years ago, during the late Jurassic and early Cretaceous periods
Jurassic Period -
Allosaurus lived between about 154 million years ago and 135 million years ago, during the late Jurassic and early Cretaceous periods
"Allosaurus" means "different lizard" or "strange lizard". This name was chosen by Othniel C. Marsh in 1877.
Allosaurus was a member of the Saurischia ("lizard-hipped") order of dinosaurs. What this means, is that although Allosaurus was not closely related to lizards, it did have similarly shaped pelvic bones.
Allosaurus was a Theropod - a member of a group of related bipedal dinosaurs that included the ancestors of birds (although Allosaurus was not itself an ancestor of birds).
Allosaurus lived between about 154 million years ago and 135 million years ago, during the late Jurassic and early Cretaceous periods.
Allosaurus lived in North America, Africa and Australia.
Allosaurus was a carnivore (meat-eater).
Some scientists think that Allosaurus was probably a scavenger, but others think it was an active predator. There is even possibility that Allosaurus may have been a pack hunting animal, with individuals working together to bring down prey.
With the Schleich-S tag, symbol for the highest quality
Product Description: As the prominent large predator, Allosaurus was at the top the food chain, probably preying on contemporaneous large herbivorous dinosaurs. Potential prey included ornithopods, stegosaurids, and sauropods. While it is often thought of as preying on sauropod dinosaurs in groups, there is little evidence for cooperative social behavior in this genus, and individuals may have been aggressive toward each other instead. It may have attacked large prey by ambush, using its upper jaws like a hatchet. Approx. 11 in. long. Scale 1:40. Ages 5+
High Quality Allosaurus from Schleich Collection. Highly detailed.
Product Description: Great for Kids. Even though this item is smaller than the Schleich's original line, they are definietely not lacking the quality. What makes this item so great is the price. They make them smaller to be able to afford the whole set. This item is not only a toy, but an educational series of hand painted replicas that reveals the prehistoric world. Manufactured from a high quality vinyl (rubber), this extremely realistic piece is hand-painted, with non-toxic paint, for a natural life-like finish.
Each Model Comes With a Booklet of Scientific Data
Sculpted In Cooperation with the Natural Museum of the Humboldt-University Berlin.
Measures: 10.2"W x 4.0"H x 4.0"D. Scale 1:40
Product Description: Great for Kids. This item is not only a toy, but an educational series of hand painted replicas that reveals the prehistoric world. Each model comes equipped with a booklet containing its scientific data and a figure of a human in the same scale. Manufactured from a high quality vinyl (rubber), this extremely realistic piece is hand-painted, with non-toxic paint, for a natural life-like finish.
These award winning dinosaur replicas are authenticated by the paleontologists of the Carnegie museum of natural history, who houses the largest collection of dinosaur fossils in the world
The scale of these dinos are 1:20 -1:40
All our products are phthalate-free and thoroughly safety tested to safeguard your child's health
Product Description: The worlds premier line of collectible dinosaur replicas. This replica has been researched and authenticated by the Carnegie Museum of Natural History, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The hand-painted Allosaurus is scaled at 1:40 and measures 9.5 inches L x 4.5 inches H (24 x 11 cm). Includes a 5-language educational hang tag. Age 3+
Beautifully reproduced reptilian characteristics, injection molded in color polystyrene
Movable and position able
Illustrated assembly instructions
Product Description: 1-13 Scale. Assembly required measures 12 7/8 inches long when complete. Detailed head with teeth, moveable claws and limbs, molded in dark green. Skill level 1. 28 PIECES.
Product Description: Part of the Safari Ltd. Wild Safari Dinosaur collection, prehistoric figures sculpted by experts to ensure authenticity. Each dinosaur replica is amazingly detailed, hand painted for realism and designed to stimulate the imagination. This Wild Safari® Dino Allosaurus replica measures 6 inches long, 4 inches high. This figure has been discontinued by Safari Ltd.
Original Bullyland Soft Play figurines are soft - they feel like the real thing
Made on a 1:8 Scale
For ages 3 years and older
Product Description: Bullyland Soft Play figurines are made to feel like the real thing with realistic handpainted details. They are great for pretend play and wipe clean with a damp cloth.
All Bullyland figurines and play sets are created to support the development of children's skills and imagination while having fun in a safe environment. We are proud of our extensive research and development on the dangers of PVC. We use a synthetic rubber material in order to achieve the highest possible safety standards and have banned the use of PVC in our products.
The Wild Safari hand-painted, authentic, and affordable animal replicas stimulate creative play.
A color-coded 5-language educational hang tag is included with each replica.
Age 3+
Product Description:
Dinosaurs that children love most in a variety of fiercely action packed poses. Each dinosaur replica is amazingly detailed, hand painted for realism and designed to stimulate the imagination. This Wild Safari Dino collection has all the favorites including the Tyrannosaurus rex, Triceratops, Brachiosaurus and many more. All our figures are sculpted by experts which ensures authenticity. By providing educational information in five languages, we encourage children to learn about these ancient extinct creatures that once roamed our earth. All our products are phthalate-free and thoroughly safety tested to safeguard your child's health. Safari Ltd takes pride in providing breathtaking, innovative and value priced figures for now over three generations. Featured is our Wild Safari Dino Allosaurus Size: 7.5" L x 3.75" H (19 x 9.5 cm). Suggested age 3+
Product Description: Long ago, a once-mighty Allosaurus stalked the land searching for helpless prey for dinner, too sick to battle stronger dinosaurs. Millions of years later, scientists discovered the bones of this "different lizard" in Wyoming and named him Big Al. Read how Big Al helped them learn more about Allosaurus and its days on Earth.
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