Research summary
Classification used here: Large spinosaurid theropod dinosaur. Fossils assigned to Spinosaurus are known from Early Late Cretaceous (about 100–93 million years ago) and have been found in North Africa. The museum uses 14–15 m (about 46–49 ft) as the reference body length and describes the diet as meat-eater. Spinosaurus was a theropod dinosaur with a long narrow snout and a tall sail on its back. Fossils also show several features linked with life around water, but scientists still debate how it swam, how much time it spent in water and exactly how it walked. Tail depth, hind-leg proportions and habitual posture vary between reconstructions.
Fossil evidence and reconstruction limits
- The 14–15 metre figure is a common approximation and varies with the fossil material and reconstruction method.
- Spinosaurus was closely associated with water, but how it propelled itself and ranged through aquatic habitats remains debated.
- Tail depth, hind-leg proportions and habitual posture change with the evidence and reconstruction method used.
Scientific sources
Leon Made This compiled these research notes from public museum resources and scientific papers while preserving uncertainty in the reconstruction. Last reviewed 2026-09-01.
