Pronunciation: die-LOAF-oh-sore-us

Translation: Double-Crested Lizard

Diet: Carnivore

Height: 6 - 8 feet

Length: 20 feet (6 meters)

Weight: 650+ Lbs. (300+ kg.)

Location: USA

Time: Jurassic Period (200MYA) 

Dilophosaurus was depicted in the movies as having a frill (similar to a frilled lizard that could extend around its neck), and was also shown as a venomous spitter.  While this made for fascinating movie scenes, there is no evidence that the real dilophosaurs had a frill, nor that venom glands existed.  

Dilophosaurus was a speedy, slender, meat-eater that lived during the early Jurassic period.  Dilophosaurus was bipedal (walked on two legs).   It had two thin, bony, almost semi-circular crests on its head; these may have been for mating displays. It had short arms with three-fingered hands and strong legs with four-toed feet (one toe was a dewclaw).  Both fingers and toes had claws. It had hollow bones and an S-shaped, curved neck.   

Dilphosaurus had loosely attached jaws, which would have made killing animals with its teeth difficult. It must have killed with its clawed arms and legs, and/or scavenged carcasses.