Ichthyovenator

Say it like this: “ik-thee-OH-veh-NAY-tuhr”

Ichthyovenator laosensis

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

Quiz me on Ichthyovenator

When: Early Cretaceous (Aptian) · roughly 121.4 to 113.2 million years ago
Named in: 2012 · Allain, R.; Xaisanavong, T.; Richir, P.; Khentavong, B.
Hip height: 2.9 m · 10 ft
Length: 8.5–10.5 m · 28–34 ft
Weight: 2–2.4 tonnes
Found in: Laos · Grès supérieurs
Food and walking: Carnivore · Two legs
Kind: sharp-clawed runner · Theropod
Family branch: Spinosaurinae

The story in short

In 2012, R. Allain and colleagues published the name Ichthyovenator. The name means “fish hunter.”

It lived in the Early Cretaceous (Aptian), roughly 121.4 to 113.2 million years ago. Finds come from Laos, including the Grès supérieurs Formation. It was a carnivore and walked on two legs.

Published estimates put Ichthyovenator at a length near 8.5–10.5 m, hips about 2.9 m high, and a body mass around 2–2.4 tonnes.

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

Close relatives

Irritator

Irritator challengeri

Early Cretaceous (Aptian · Albian) · roughly 121.4 to 100.5 million years ago

Oxalaia

Oxalaia quilombensis

Late Cretaceous (Cenomanian) · roughly 100.5 to 93.9 million years ago

Sigilmassasaurus

Sigilmassasaurus brevicollis

Late Cretaceous (Cenomanian) · roughly 100.5 to 93.9 million years ago