Shaochilong

Say it like this: “Sha-chi-long”

Shaochilong maortuensis

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

Quiz me on Shaochilong

When: Early Cretaceous (Aptian · Albian) · roughly 121.4 to 100.5 million years ago
Named in: 2009 · Brusatte, S. L.; Benson, R. B. J.; Chure, D. J.; Xu, X.; Sullivan, C.; Hone, D. W. E.
Hip height: 1.4 m · 5 ft
Length: 5–6 m · 16–20 ft
Weight: 500 kg · 1,102 lb
Found in: China · Miaogou
Food and walking: Carnivore · Two legs
Kind: sharp-clawed runner · Theropod
Family branch: Avetheropoda

The story in short

Shaochilong was formally named in 2009 by S. L. Brusatte and colleagues. The name means “shark-toothed dragon.”

It lived in the Early Cretaceous (Aptian · Albian), roughly 121.4 to 100.5 million years ago. Finds come from China, including the Miaogou Formation. It was a carnivore and walked on two legs.

Published estimates put Shaochilong at a length near 5–6 m, hips about 1.4 m high, and a body mass around 500 kg.

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

Close relatives

Aorun

Aorun zhaoi

Middle Jurassic (Callovian) · roughly 165.3 to 161.5 million years ago

Chilantaisaurus

Chilantaisaurus tashuikouensis

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

Datanglong

Datanglong guangxiensis

Early Cretaceous (Aptian) · roughly 121.4 to 113.2 million years ago