Iliosuchus Facts
Pronunciation: IL-ee-oh-SOOK-us
Name meaning: Crocodile of the Ilium
| Diet | Carnivore |
| Height | 0.8m |
| Length | 2m |
| Weight | 25 kg |
| Environment | Land |
| Era | Jurassic |
| Period | Middle Jurassic |
| Type | Theropod |
| Location | England |
Iliosuchus was a small theropod dinosaur that lived during the Middle Jurassic period, approximately 168 million years ago, in what is now England. This diminutive predator measured about 2 metres in length and stood roughly 80 centimetres tall at the hip, making it one of the smaller carnivorous dinosaurs known from British fossil sites.
As a theropod, Iliosuchus would have been a bipedal hunter with sharp teeth designed for tearing flesh. It likely preyed upon small reptiles, early mammals, insects, and possibly fish in the warm, subtropical environment that characterised Middle Jurassic England. The landscape during this time was dominated by lush forests, river systems, and shallow seas, providing ample opportunities for a small, agile predator.
Unfortunately, our knowledge of Iliosuchus remains limited due to the fragmentary nature of its fossil remains. The dinosaur is known primarily from partial hip bones (ilia), which is reflected in its name meaning 'crocodile of the ilium'. These bones suggest it was a lightly built, fast-moving predator, though without more complete skeletal remains, many aspects of its anatomy and behaviour remain speculative.
The discovery of Iliosuchus contributes to our understanding of theropod diversity during the Middle Jurassic, a period when many different lineages of carnivorous dinosaurs were evolving and diversifying across the globe.
What made Iliosuchus distinctive?
Iliosuchus is known primarily from its hip bones, which show characteristics typical of small theropods. Without more complete remains, specific distinguishing features cannot be definitively identified, though it was likely a lightly built, small-bodied predator.
Behaviour
As a small theropod, Iliosuchus likely hunted small prey including early mammals, lizards, and insects. It would have been an agile, fast-moving predator that used speed and quick reflexes to catch its prey in the dense forests of Middle Jurassic England.
Discovery
Iliosuchus was first described by Friedrich von Huene in 1932. The original fossils were discovered at Stonesfield Slate, Oxfordshire, England.
Iliosuchus FAQ
What did Iliosuchus eat?
Iliosuchus was a carnivore that likely hunted small prey such as early mammals, lizards, insects, and possibly fish. As a small theropod, it would have been an opportunistic predator, catching whatever small animals it could overpower in the forests and river systems of
Middle Jurassic England.
How big was Iliosuchus?
Iliosuchus was a small dinosaur, measuring approximately 2 metres in length and standing about 80 centimetres tall at the hip. It weighed roughly 25 kilograms, making it much smaller than famous theropods like
Tyrannosaurus rex, and closer in size to a large dog.
When did Iliosuchus live?
Iliosuchus lived during the
Middle Jurassic period, specifically during the Bathonian stage, approximately 168.2 million years ago. This was a time when dinosaurs were diversifying rapidly and the climate was warm and humid across much of the world.
Where was Iliosuchus found?
Iliosuchus fossils were discovered in England, specifically in the famous Stonesfield Slate deposits of Oxfordshire. This site has yielded numerous important Jurassic fossils and represents one of Britain's most significant dinosaur-bearing formations.
How do you pronounce Iliosuchus?
Iliosuchus is pronounced 'IL-ee-oh-SOOK-us'. The name breaks down into three syllables, with emphasis on the first syllable 'IL' and the final syllable 'SOOK'.
What does Iliosuchus mean?
Iliosuchus means 'crocodile of the ilium'. The name refers to the hip bone (ilium) from which the dinosaur was identified, and reflects early uncertainty about its classification when it was first described in 1932.
How fast could Iliosuchus run?
The running speed of Iliosuchus is unknown due to the fragmentary nature of its remains. However, as a small, lightly built theropod, it was likely quite agile and capable of quick bursts of speed to catch prey and escape larger predators.
What type of dinosaur was Iliosuchus?
Iliosuchus was a theropod dinosaur, belonging to the group of bipedal, carnivorous dinosaurs. However, its exact family relationships remain uncertain due to the limited fossil material, consisting primarily of hip bones.
Was Iliosuchus related to birds?
As a theropod dinosaur, Iliosuchus belongs to the same major group that eventually gave rise to birds. However, it lived during the
Middle Jurassic, well before the evolution of true birds, so it represents an earlier branch of the theropod family tree.
How many Iliosuchus fossils have been found?
Very few Iliosuchus fossils have been found, consisting mainly of fragmentary hip bones from the original discovery site in Oxfordshire. The limited fossil evidence makes it one of the more poorly known British dinosaurs, which is why it's considered a nomen dubium by some palaeontologists.
