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Project Exploration - Paleontology Education and Dinosaur Exhibits
Using the wonders of science to inspire city kids
950 East 61st Street Chicago, IL 60637 • 773.834.7614 • F.773.834.7625   
 
  Introducing....Rajasaurus  

Rajasaurus narmadensis - Click on the map for a detailed view
Click on the map of India for a detailed view.
Rajasaurus photo by W. Taylor
Skull illustration © C. Abraczinskas

Rajasaurus narmadensis means “regal reptile from the Narmada.” Rajasaurus was the largest predator of its day on India.

A complete braincase and 70% of the rest of the skull bones were found along the flanks of the Narmada River in Northwestern India.

  • The skull of Rajasaurus is two feet long (60cm)
  • Rajasaurus was roughly 30 feet long, was nearly 8 feet high at the hip, and weighed around 3-4 tons
  • Rajasaurus lived about 67 million years ago.
Click on the images to learn about
the Rajasaurus skull
Photos by W. Taylor

Rajasaurus is an abelisaurid, a member of a small group of predators known only from other Southern continents – South America, Australia and Africa. Abelisaurids are the only theropods (meat-eaters) to have horns on the top of their skulls. They have relatively short skulls, with many wrinkles on their bones, and small, pointed teeth.

Rajasaurus was the stockiest abelisaurid of them all and had flattened toe nails. It probably ambushed prey and pounced on them, rather than running them down. Its eye is located in the very center of a circular hole.


Click on illustration for detailed view
Illustration © National Geographic Society

Rajasaurus was announced on
August 13, 2003 in Mumbai, India
.

Meet Rajasaurus

Bringing Rajasaurus to Life

Rajasaurus Image Gallery

All About Rajasaurus

The Rajasaurus Team

Project Exploration Links

Jeff Wilson’s Web site
Geological Survey of India
Panjab University

Rajasaurus in the News
Rajasaurus narmadensis -
A new Indian dinosaur
Current Science
(Requires Adobe Acrobat Reader)

National Geographic
Press Release

UC Dinosaur Hunter IDs
New Species

Chicago Sun Times

India's Rajasaurus has story very, very long in the telling
Chicago Tribune

New dinosaur rises from fossil bones in India
University of Chicago

New dinosaur found in India
CNN

Dinosaur Eggs reportedly found in India
Associated Press


Rajasaurus narmadensis
Click on image for detailed view
Illustration © T. Marshall

Learn more about Todd Marshall's work by
visiting his web site

Lived in India when the continent was isolated and surrounded by oceans

Lived before the Himalayas rose to become the tallest mountains in the world

Ate sauropods, the common herbivorous dinosaur on India at that time

NEVER would have met T-rex, even though the two lived at the same time. There were no tyrannosaurs on India

Has a uniquely shaped horn on the top of its head made from two bones (the nasal bone and the frontal bone)

Most closely resembles Majungatholus, a similar-sized predator that lived on Madagascar at the same time Rajasaurus lived on India

 

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