Dinopedia
Register
Advertisement
Deltadromeus
Kem-Kem-Beds-Deltadromeus
Name Deltadromeus
Order Saurischia
Suborder Theropoda
Class Noasauridae
Name Translation "Delta Runner"
Period Late Cretaceous (99-65 mya)
Location Morocco, Algeria, Egypt
Diet Carnivore
Size 8.5 metres (26 ft) long, 1.5 ton

Deltadromeus was a medium sized theropod that once lived in Late Cretaceous Morocco, Algeria and Egypt. It is contemporary of other large predators, which include Spinosaurus, Carcharodontosaurus, and Rugops and its close relative Bahariasaurus.

Being a noasaurid, Deltadromeus featured a long neck and legs, with small vestigal arms; it also had a small head and stiff tail. This creature was around 8 to 9 meters long with an unknown weight.[1]

Since its body design is that of a runner, it was most likely warm-blooded. It was likely covered in scales or bumps rather than feathers due to it being a member of a more basal theropod family, closely related to Carnotaurus and Ceratosaurus, and would not need the plumage. It had a gracile and relatively fragile frame.[2]

Description[]

Deltadromeus was a fleet-footed predator that inhabited western North Africa approximately 90 million years ago during the middle-late Cretaceous period.[3]

The habitat of this theropod; middle to late cretaceous was certainly a tense, dangerous and volatile one. So much so its habitat actually referred to '' The most dangerous place on Earth '' by paleontologists; quite openly.[4][5][6]

Physical Characteristics[]

African Theropods S

Recinstructed Deltadromeus ~ along with the rest of k own theropods of its habitat.

The name Deltadromeus agilis comes from the Greek words for “agile delta runner,” and was inspired by this dinosaur’s delicate skeletal structure. Its limbs were especially long, thin, and fragile, enabling Deltadromeus to move swiftly and with great agility. Experts believe it was among the fastest dinosaurs to ever exist.[7]

Deltadromeus grew to a length of more than 25 feet (7.6 meters), and measured approximately 8 feet (2.4 meters) tall at the hip. The arms were relatively long in comparison to its hindlimbs, which is quite exceptional compared to most other known theropods and quite unlike most known species and genus of theropods.

Its long hindlimbs ended in feet bearing three clawed toes. Similar to other fellow theropods, Deltadromeus had razor-sharp teeth that were well adapted for ripping and tearing flesh.[8]

Behavior[]

Dako01q-12c102e5-8728-49ff-915f-184de0a105a0

Kem Kem giants & theropods. Credit: Randomdinos.

Deltadromeus was a bipedal dinosaur, meaning that it stood upright and walked and ran on its two hind legs. Its overall speed and agility quite likely allowed it to prey upon small to medium sized prey animals with noticeable efficiency.

Fossil Evidence[]

Several toe bones embedded in a rocky hillside were the first evidence of Deltadromeus. These fossils were discovered by Gabrielle Lyon in 1995 during an expedition in the Kem Kem region of the Moroccan Sahara. Fossilized tracks belonging to Deltadromeus were also discovered—a permanent record of where this dinosaur ran through the muddy banks of rivers that once traversed the area.[9][10]

Static-assets-upload3935785091899274557

A differentiated, more upscaled model of Deltadromeus. Credits: Jagged Fangs Design (JFD)

Classification[]

Despite initially classified as a generic Ceratosaur; many studies place this unique theropod directly within The Noasauridae and refer to it as a Noasaurid.[11][12][13] A more recent model / interpretation of the Large Theropod.

In popular culture[]

  • In Digimon Adventure 2 a Dinosaur or Dragon Digimon called Deltamon, which may be inspired by the name of Deltadromeus.
  • Deltadromeus appeared in a few episodes of the 2007 Anime show Dinosaur King. Including the final episode of the 2nd Season In 2010.

Other Wikis[]

https://prehistoric-wiki.fandom.com/wiki/Deltadromeus

References[]


Advertisement