Hypnovenator

Say it like this: “HIP-no-VEN-uh-tuh”

Hypnovenator matsubaraetoheorum

Hypnovenator ate meat and walked on two legs. It lived in the Early Cretaceous. Bones have been found in Japan.

Quiz me on Hypnovenator

When: Early Cretaceous (Albian) · roughly 113.2 to 100.5 million years ago
Named in: 2024 · Kubota, K.; Kobayashi, Y.; Ikeda, T.
Hip height: Not established
Length: Not established
Weight: Not established
Found in: Japan · Ohyamashimo
Food and walking: Carnivore · Two legs
Kind: sharp-clawed runner · Theropod
Family branch: Troodontinae

The story in short

Hypnovenator was formally named in 2024 by K. Kubota and colleagues.

It lived in the Early Cretaceous (Albian), roughly 113.2 to 100.5 million years ago. Finds come from Japan, including the Ohyamashimo Formation. It was a carnivore and walked on two legs.

The fossils of Hypnovenator are too incomplete for a responsible length, hip height, or weight, so those fields are left blank on purpose.

On the family tree it sits in Troodontinae, among the theropod dinosaurs.

Close relatives

Albertavenator

Albertavenator curriei

Late Cretaceous (Campanian · Maastrichtian) · roughly 83.6 to 66 million years ago

Borogovia

Borogovia gracilicrus

Late Cretaceous (Maastrichtian) · roughly 72.2 to 66 million years ago

Byronosaurus

Byronosaurus jaffei

Late Cretaceous (Campanian) · roughly 83.6 to 72.2 million years ago