Fosterovenator Facts
Pronunciation: FOS-ter-oh-VEN-ah-tor
Name meaning: Foster's Hunter
| Diet | Carnivore |
| Height | 1.8m |
| Length | 5m |
| Weight | 180 kg |
| Environment | Land |
| Era | Jurassic |
| Period | Late Jurassic |
| Type | Theropod |
| Location | North America |
Fosterovenator was a fearsome theropod dinosaur that stalked the ancient landscapes of North America during the Late Jurassic period, approximately 155 million years ago. This predatory dinosaur lived alongside famous giants like Diplodocus and Stegosaurus in what is now Wyoming, forming part of the diverse Morrison Formation ecosystem.
Known primarily from leg bones including a tibia (shin bone) with an attached ankle bone and a fibula from a larger individual, Fosterovenator represents an important addition to our understanding of ceratosaur diversity. These robust leg bones suggest it was a powerfully built predator, estimated to have reached about 5 metres in length and standing roughly 1.8 metres tall at the hip, weighing around 180 kilograms.
As a theropod, Fosterovenator was a bipedal carnivore with sharp teeth and claws designed for hunting. It likely preyed upon smaller dinosaurs, early mammals, and other vertebrates that shared its environment. The discovery of bones from at least two individuals of different sizes suggests these dinosaurs may have lived in the same areas over extended periods.
Fosterovenator belongs to the Ceratosauridae family, a group of theropods characterised by their robust build and distinctive skull features, though sadly no skull material has been found for this particular species yet.
What made Fosterovenator distinctive?
Fosterovenator possessed robust leg bones that indicate a powerfully built theropod dinosaur. The tibia shows distinctive features that separate it from other Morrison Formation predators, whilst the fibula suggests considerable size variation between individuals.
Behaviour
Based on its robust leg bones, Fosterovenator was likely an active predator capable of pursuing prey across the Late Jurassic landscape. The discovery of specimens from different-sized individuals suggests these theropods may have inhabited the same territories over time, possibly indicating site fidelity or favourable hunting grounds.
Discovery
Fosterovenator was first described by Carrano and Sampson in 2021. The original fossils were discovered at Morrison Formation, Wyoming, USA.
Fosterovenator FAQ
What did Fosterovenator eat?
Fosterovenator was a carnivore that likely hunted smaller dinosaurs, early mammals, lizards, and other vertebrates that lived in the
Late Jurassic Morrison Formation. As a theropod, it would have had sharp teeth and claws perfect for catching and eating meat.
How big was Fosterovenator?
Fosterovenator reached approximately 5 metres in length and stood about 1.8 metres tall at the hip, weighing around 180 kilograms. However, the discovery of bones from a larger individual suggests some specimens may have grown considerably bigger.
When did Fosterovenator live?
Fosterovenator lived during the
Late Jurassic period, approximately 154.8 million years ago. It was part of the diverse Morrison Formation ecosystem that included many famous dinosaurs.
Where was Fosterovenator found?
Fosterovenator fossils were discovered in the Morrison Formation of Wyoming, USA. This rock formation is famous for preserving many
Late Jurassic dinosaurs across the western United States.
How do you pronounce Fosterovenator?
Fosterovenator is pronounced 'FOS-ter-oh-VEN-ah-tor', with emphasis on the first and third syllables. The name flows quite naturally once you break it down into its component parts.
What does Fosterovenator mean?
Fosterovenator means 'Foster's Hunter', combining a reference to someone named Foster (likely important to the discovery or research) with 'venator' meaning hunter in Latin, reflecting its predatory lifestyle.
How fast could Fosterovenator run?
The running speed of Fosterovenator is unknown, as speed estimates require more complete skeletal remains. However, its robust leg bones suggest it was built for power rather than extreme speed.
What type of dinosaur was Fosterovenator?
Fosterovenator was a theropod dinosaur, specifically a member of the Ceratosauridae family. Theropods were bipedal, carnivorous dinosaurs that included famous predators like
Allosaurus and
Tyrannosaurus.
Was Fosterovenator related to birds?
Yes, like all theropod dinosaurs, Fosterovenator was related to modern birds. Birds are direct descendants of theropod dinosaurs, though Fosterovenator belonged to a more primitive lineage than the group that gave rise to birds.
How many Fosterovenator fossils have been found?
Only two Fosterovenator specimens are currently known: the holotype consisting of a tibia with ankle bone, and a paratype fibula from a larger individual. Both specimens were found in the same general area of Wyoming.
