Achillobator Facts
| Diet | Carnivore |
| Height | 2m |
| Length | 6m |
| Weight | 380 kg |
| Speed | 40 km/h |
| Environment | Land |
| Era | Cretaceous |
| Period | Late Cretaceous |
| Type | Theropod |
| Location | Mongolia |

| Diet | Carnivore |
| Height | 2m |
| Length | 6m |
| Weight | 380 kg |
| Speed | 40 km/h |
| Environment | Land |
| Era | Cretaceous |
| Period | Late Cretaceous |
| Type | Theropod |
| Location | Mongolia |
Achillobator was a massive theropod dinosaur that prowled the landscapes of Mongolia during the Late Cretaceous period, approximately 96 to 89 million years ago. This formidable predator represents one of the largest members of its family ever discovered, earning it the species name 'giganticus'. At roughly 6 metres long and weighing around 380 kilograms, Achillobator was significantly larger than its more famous relatives, making it a truly impressive apex predator of its time.
Like other theropods in its group, Achillobator possessed the characteristic large, curved killing claw on each foot, which could grow up to 20 centimetres long. These razor-sharp weapons, combined with its powerful leg muscles and agile build, made it a fearsome hunter capable of taking down large prey. Its arms were proportionally longer and more robust than many of its relatives, suggesting it may have used them actively during hunting or feeding.
Achillobator lived in what is now the Bayan Shireh Formation of Mongolia, an environment that was warmer and more humid than today's Mongolia. This ancient ecosystem supported a diverse array of dinosaurs, providing plenty of potential prey for this skilled predator. The discovery of Achillobator has helped palaeontologists better understand the diversity and evolution of large theropods during the mid-Cretaceous period.
Achillobator was distinguished by its exceptional size among its family, massive sickle-shaped killing claws up to 20cm long, and unusually robust and elongated arms. Its powerful build and large skull made it one of the most formidable predators of its time and place.
Achillobator likely hunted using its signature sickle claws to slash and hold onto prey, whilst its powerful arms helped grapple with victims. Evidence suggests it may have been capable of taking down dinosaurs much larger than itself through coordinated attacks using its claws and teeth.
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Saurischia |
| Order | Avetheropoda |
| Family | Dromaeosauridae |
| Genus | Achillobator |
Achillobator was first described by Altangerel Perle in 1999. The original fossils were discovered at Bayan Shireh Formation, Mongolia.