Albertosaurus
(al-br-tuh-SAWR-us)

Meaning of Name: Lizard from Alberta
Length: 28 ft
Weight: 5,500 lbs
Eats: Meat (Carnivore)
Period: Late Cretaceous

• Albertosaurus was a large theropod from the Late Cretaceous. It is famously found in the dinosaur-rich, Horseshoe Canyon Formation of Alberta, Canada.

• Albertosaurus lived where the Western Interior Seaway had periodically retreated, 76-70 million years old. It had the large head and two-fingered claw of other tyrannosaurs.

• Its teeth have specialized cracks which gave the tooth additional strength while Albertosaurus pulled flesh from its prey.

• Albertosaurus is a tyrannosaur. It is a member of its own genus and is not a member of Tyrannosaurus.

• Albertosaurus had more teeth than larger tyrannosaurids.

• A. sarcophagus is the type species and derives its genus name from the range it appears to be restricted to. This range is the province of Alberta, Canada.

• A. sarcophagus incorporates the Greek word ‘sarkophagos’ which means “flesh eating.”

• Albertosaurus was an apex predator, possibly occupying different niches as it matured.

• Albertosaurus adults likely weighed 2-3 short tons, which was much less than T. rex.

• Fossils from 26 individuals have been discovered in one site, suggesting possible pack behavior.

• Albertosaurus lived among diverse populations of dinosaurs and other fauna.

• Albertosaurus has made several television appearances including Primeval: New World and a segment on Jurassic Fight Club.