About Carcharodontosaurus

Carcharodontosaurus saharicus was a giant theropod dinosaur that lived during the Cenomanian stage of the mid-Cretaceous, roughly 100 to 93 million years ago. Its fossils are best known from Morocco’s Kem Kem Group, a fossil-rich deposit that preserves an entire ecosystem. With an estimated length of 12–13 meters (40–43 feet) and a skull exceeding 1.5 meters (5 feet) long, Carcharodontosaurus ranked among the largest terrestrial predators of all time, rivaling or surpassing Tyrannosaurus rex and Giganotosaurus in size. Two recognized species exist: the type C. saharicus, and C. iguidensis, described from Niger.

The genus is named for its distinctive teeth, which are laterally compressed, blade-like, and finely serrated, reminiscent of those of the great white shark (Carcharodon). These teeth, which could exceed 7 inches in length, were highly effective slicing weapons, adapted to inflict massive blood loss on prey. Unlike T. rex, which had deep, bone-crushing teeth, Carcharodontosaurus evolved a lighter skull with large fenestrae and air cavities that reduced weight. This specialization suggests a hunting style focused on repeated slashing bites rather than sheer bite force. Its likely prey included giant sauropods such as Rebbachisaurus and Paralititan, and it shared its environment with other apex predators, most notably Spinosaurus.

Fossil evidence from the Kem Kem beds indicates that Carcharodontosaurus occupied the role of the largest fully terrestrial predator in North Africa during the mid-Cretaceous. Its disappearance near the end of the Cenomanian coincides with major faunal turnovers in Gondwana, where abelisaurids and other theropods began to dominate. Despite its extinction, Carcharodontosaurus remains one of the most iconic dinosaurs of Africa, and its serrated teeth are among the most sought-after fossils from Morocco.