Saurophaganax

Type Species: Saurophaganax maximus

Classification: Dinosauria – Saurischia – Theropoda - Carnosauria – Allosauroidea – Allosauria – Allosauridae

Time Period: Late Jurassic 

Location: North America 

Diet: Carnivore

Saurophaganax was the largest predator of the Morrison Formation, reaching lengths up to 46 feet snout-to-tail, making it twice as large as its more common and contemporary cousin Allosaurus (because of the similarity between these two theropods, some scientists argue that Saurophaganax is actually a larger species of Allosaurus, but those making these claims are currently in the minority). As the chief hunter of Late Jurassic North America, it’s not surprising that its remains have been scant: the larger the predator, and the greater its competition in the environment, the less prevalent it is. Saurophaganax had lots of predatory competition, principally from the smaller (but still large) Allosaurus and Torvosaurus. Saurophaganax likely hunted large sauropods such as Diplodocus and Brachiosaurus; it may have hunted in groups, like many of its contemporaries, but there’s currently no evidence for this. Some scientists believe that it may even have hunted other theropods, as there have been discoveries of Allosaurus bones with teeth marks matching the size of those belonging to Saurophaganax (it’s noteworthy that these same-sized teeth marks have also been found on the remains of the ankylosaur Mymoorapelta). Because of its large size, some paleontologists argue that Saurophaganax would’ve been slow-moving and would’ve leaned more towards scavenging than hunting. This, too, would explain the presence of its teeth marks on the Allosaurus bones. Given its size, it may have relied on smaller predators taking down prey and then moving in to take over the kill-site; even the mighty Allosaurus would think twice before defending its kill against a predator twice its size. 

a Saurophaganax takes a break from being Top Dog