Where was Albertosaurus discovered?

Fossils of Albertosaurus were first discovered in Alberta, Canada, in 1884 by Joseph Burr Tyrrell. Its name literally means 'Alberta lizard.'

How is Albertosaurus different from Tyrannosaurus rex?

While both belonged to the tyrannosaurid family, Albertosaurus was smaller, lighter, and lived a few million years earlier than T. rex. It may have been faster and hunted in packs.

When did Albertosaurus live?

Albertosaurus lived approximately 70 to 68 million years ago, during the Late Cretaceous period, just before the mass extinction event that wiped out most dinosaurs.

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Dinosaurs: Albertosaurus (Alberta Lizard)

Q: What is Albertosaurus?

Albertosaurus was a large theropod dinosaur that lived during the Late Cretaceous period, around 70 million years ago. It was closely related to the Tyrannosaurus rex but smaller and lighter.

Q: How big was Albertosaurus?

Adult Albertosaurus individuals were about 9 meters (30 feet) long and weighed up to 2 metric tons, making them smaller and more agile than the T. rex.

Q: What did Albertosaurus eat?

As a carnivorous predator, Albertosaurus fed primarily on other dinosaurs, likely including hadrosaurs and ceratopsians. Its sharp teeth and powerful legs made it a skilled hunter.

Q: What does the name Albertosaurus mean?

The name Albertosaurus means 'Alberta lizard,' named after the Canadian province where it was first discovered.

What is Albertosaurus?

Albertosaurus was a large, meat-eating dinosaur that lived during the Late Cretaceous Period, about 70 to 68 million years ago in what is now western Canada. It is best known for being a fearsome predator with sharp teeth and a powerful bite! Albertosaurus was closely related to the famous Tyrannosaurus rex, but it was a bit smaller and lighter.

How big was Albertosaurus?

Albertosaurus was slightly smaller than T. rex. It could reach up to 9–10 metres (30–33 feet) in length and stood around 3.5 metres (11.5 feet) tall at the hips. It weighed about 1.5–2.5 tons, about the same as a large car!

Appearance

Albertosaurus had a large head with dozens of sharp teeth, strong jaws, and two small, clawed arms. Its body was built for running, with long, muscular legs and a long tail that helped it balance. Unlike some other dinosaurs, Albertosaurus did not have feathers, it had tough, scaly skin. Its eyes faced forward, helping it spot prey easily.

A realistic rendering of an Albertosaurus dinosaur in a prehistoric floodplain surrounded by trees.. Albertosaurus

Generative AI Notiﬁcation: Some elements of this image have been created or enhanced using AI technology. To find out how we create all our dinosaurs, click here.

Did Albertosaurus have feathers?

Scientists do not have direct evidence that Albertosaurus had feathers. Most believe it was covered in scaly skin, like other large tyrannosaurs, but young Albertosaurus might have had a fuzzy covering when they were very small.

What did Albertosaurus eat?

Albertosaurus was a carnivore, which means it ate meat. Its sharp, serrated teeth were perfect for slicing through the flesh of other dinosaurs. It probably hunted plant-eating dinosaurs that lived in its area, using its speed and strong jaws to catch prey.

Where did Albertosaurus live?

Albertosaurus lived in what is now Alberta, Canada, which was a warm, swampy area during the Cretaceous Period. It hunted in forests, floodplains, and along riverbanks, where it could find lots of prey.

Interesting facts

Group Finds: Many Albertosaurus fossils have been found together, hinting they might have lived or hunted in groups.
Relative of T. rex: Albertosaurus was a close cousin of the mighty Tyrannosaurus rex, but lived a few million years earlier.
Sharp Senses: It had keen eyesight and a strong sense of smell to help it find prey.
First Discovery: The first Albertosaurus was discovered in Alberta, Canada in 1884.

A realistic rendering of an Albertosaurus dinosaur on a white background

Image showing a size comparison between an adult Albertosaurus dinosaur (left) versus a human adult (right).

Albertosaurus Facts

Pronounced: al-BUR-toh-sore-us

Name Means: "Alberta lizard"

Length: up to 10 metres (33 feet)

Height: about 3.5 metres (11.5 feet) at the hips

Weight: 1,500–2,500 kilograms (1.5–2.5 tons)

Diet: Carnivore (meat)

Time: Late Cretaceous (about 70–68 million years ago)

Fossils Found: North America (mainly Alberta, Canada)

Which family of Dinosaurs did Albertosaurus belong to?

Albertosaurus was part of the Tyrannosauridae family, a group of large, meat-eating dinosaurs. It was closely related to Tyrannosaurus rex, but it was faster and lighter. The Tyrannosauridae family includes some of the most famous prehistoric predators!

How fast was Albertosaurus?

Albertosaurus was built for speed. Its long legs and lightweight body meant it could run faster than bigger relatives like T. rex, possibly up to 30 kilometres per hour (about 19 mph). This helped it chase down prey or escape from danger.

Was Albertosaurus intelligent?

Albertosaurus had a fairly large brain for its size, especially compared to other dinosaurs. This probably helped it hunt, find food, and interact with other Albertosaurus in its group.

Why did Albertosaurus have small arms?

Scientists believe that Albertosaurus's small arms were an evolutionary leftover, meaning they were a small trace of an ancestor's trait that became less useful over time. They may have helped in mating or slashing at prey.

What other dinosaurs lived at the same time as Albertosaurus?

During the Late Cretaceous Period, Albertosaurus shared its world with many other dinosaurs, like:

Edmontosaurus: A large, duck-billed plant-eater.
Corythosaurus: A crested, plant-eating dinosaur.
Pachyrhinosaurus: A horned dinosaur with a thick, bumpy nose.
Hypacrosaurus: Another big, duck-billed plant-eater.
Dromaeosaurus: A small, fast, meat-eating dinosaur.

Albertosaurus FAQ

Q1: What is a Albertosaurus?

A1: Albertosaurus is a genus of large, carnivorous dinosaurs that lived during the Late Cretaceous period, around 70 million years ago.

Q2: What does Albertosaurus mean?

A2: Its name means "Alberta lizard", named after the Canadian province where it was first discovered.

Q3: Was Albertosaurus a carnivore?

A3: Yes, it was a meat-eater, hunting other dinosaurs for food.

Q4: How big was Albertosaurus?

A4: It could grow up to 10 metres (33 feet) long and weigh up to 2.5 tons.

Q5: Did Albertosaurus have feathers?

A5: It probably had scaly skin, but young ones might have had a fuzzy covering.

Q6: Where did Albertosaurus live?

A6: In what is now Alberta, Canada.

Q7: Was Albertosaurus fast?

A7: Yes, it could run faster than many other large dinosaurs.

Q8: Did Albertosaurus live in groups?

A8: Fossil evidence suggests Albertosaurus sometimes lived or hunted in groups.

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