Acrocanthosaurus Dinosaurs

Acrocanthosaurus

Acrocanthosaurus  is a genus of theropod dinosaur allosauroid that existed in what is now North America during the mid-Cretaceous period, about 125-100000000 years . Like most dinosaur genera, Acrocanthosaurus contains only a single species, A. atokensis. Its fossil remains are found primarily in the U.S. states of Oklahoma and Texas, although teeth attributed Acrocanthosaurus been found as far east as Maryland.

Like most theropods, was a bipedal carnivore Acrocanthosaurus. As the name suggests, it is best for the high number of spines on its vertebrae, which most likely supported a ridge known of the muscle on the animal's neck, back and hips. Acrocanthosaurus was one of the largest theropods, approaching 12 meters (40 ft) long and weighs as much as a modern white rhino. Large theropod footprints discovered in Texas may have been made by Acrocanthosaurus, although there is no direct connection with skeletal remains.

Recent discoveries have clarified much of their anatomy, allowing for special studies focusing on their brain structure and forelimb function. However, there is still more than its evolutionary relationship to debate, with some scientists classify it as allosaurid, and other than carcharodontosaurid. Acrocanthosaurus was the largest theropod in its ecosystem and likely an apex predator, possibly hunting large sauropods and ornithopods.

That's a long name. How do you say it and what it means?
Acro-can-tho-Saur-Us. It comes from the Greek meaning "high-spined lizard". Paleontologists J. Willis Stovall and Langston When, Jr. chose the name in 1950, because of the extremely long spines at the top of the dinosaur's back, hips, and tail vertebrae.
Its species name, atokensis comes from Atoka County, Oklahoma, where the dinosaur was first found. Many people call it "Acro" for short. The Museum of Natural Sciences gave a nickname to his fossil, "Terror of the South."
Why I have not heard before this dinosaur?
It's very, very rare. Only four copies of the skeleton were found and most of the remainder are fragments or teeth. The museum Acrocanthosaurus sample is the best yet been excavated, represented 54 percent of the bone, and the only complete with a skull. Before this copy was discovered, could not even determine the general appearance of the dinosaur paleontologists. Another museum has a cast of Acro, but the NC Museum of Natural Sciences is the only place in the world to see the actual fossil.