The Cryolophosaurus (Cryolophosaurus ellioti) is a large well-built theropod dinosaur in the Cryolophosaurus genus. Cryolophosaurus means frozen crested lizard beause it was found in Antarctica (South Pole).

It lived about 180 million years ago in the Early Jurassic period.

The Cryolophosaurus had a high, narrow skull. It had a bony crest just above the eyes. It had long, heavy hind (back) legs and short forelimbs (front limbs), like arms. It had two large clawed digits, and a smaller digit, on each limb. It had a long, thick tail, and a coat of feathers. 

According to the fossilized remains in his stomach, it fed on other dinosaurs.

It measured about 6.5 metres (21 feet) in length. Its skull was about 65 centimetres (26 inches) long.

The Cryolophosaurus is part of an exhibition called “Evolution on the Road to Enlightenment.” The palaeontologist department of the National Museum of Natural History in Paris held the exhibition of dinosaurs from December 2021 to January 2022 in conjuction with the China Light Festival. 

Location of photographs: National Museum of Natural History, Paris, France

Photographer: Martina Nicolls

Martina Nicolls: SIMILAR BUT DIFFERENT IN THE ANIMAL KINGDOM