Spinosaurs
Ichthyovenator
LENGTH-30 FEET
HEIGHT 7 FOOT TO HEAD
WEIGHT-3 TONS
DATE DISCOVERED-2010
DISCOVERED BY-Ronan Allain
HABITAT-SEMI AQUATIC
DIET-FISH AND OTHER ANIMALS
DISCOVERED IN-Laos
Ichthyovenator is a large species of Spinosaurid theropod discovered in fossil form by Ronan Allain in 2010 and named and describedin 2012. The fossil remains were uncovered in Laos and consisted of a mostly complete skeleton except for the skull. It is also the first spinosaurid fossil discovered in Asia.
It's name means "Fish Hunter" which is a refernce to it's believed piscovorous diet, though as with all theropod species, Ichthyovenator's diet is not fully certain. Ichthyovenator measured around 7 feet tall at the head and around 30 feet long and is believed to have weighed around 3 tons.
Little is known about Ichthyovenator, however it is believed that unlike other dinosaurs with sails, Ichthyovenator may have had two separate sails instead of one full one. This is because the fossil remains show a small sail on the back that stopped at the hip, and another small sail that began after the hip and extended over the first small portion of the tail. It is unknown if this is an accurate depcition or if there is simply a portion of vertevrae missing to fill in the missing part.
More fossil remains and study is needed to understand this odd creature, but what is easy to see is that such an odd animal with such specified features could not have emerged by accident. As with all organisms, Ichthyovenator displays intelligent craftsmanship by a master Craftsman.
Irritator
LENGTH-26 FEET
HEIGHT-9 FEET
WEIGHT-3 TONS
DATE DISCOVERED-1996
DISCOVERED BY-Matrill
HABITAT-Likely Semi Aquatic
DIET-Likely fish and other animals
DISCOVERED IN-Brazil
Irritator is a large species of Spinosaurid dinosaur that evolutionists date to around 110 million years ago in the early Cretaceous period. Creationists using the biblical model however will point out that such ancient dates are erroneous and cannot be adequately arrived at through dating methods.
Irritator itself was first discovered in fossil form in Brazil in 1996 by Martill.
It is considered to have been roughly 26 feet long and roughly 9 feet tall. To date, the only Irritator fossils found are an 80 centimeter skull. However, Irritator is now considered by many to be synonymous with the species Angaturama which was from the same area and is virtually identical to Irritator.
Irritator recieved it's name due to the frustrating work entailed in restoring the original skull specimen that was heavily altered by amateur fossil collectors whom had hoped to make the skull more valuable for sale.
As for Angaturama, which is likely the same species, it was described in 1996, and was named after Angaturama, a protective spirit in the Tupi indian culture from Brazil. This may mean that Irritator should always be referred to as Angaturama.
Subsequent finds have uncovered more fossil remains, including a 60% complete skeleton, which gave researchers enough material to reconstruct a replica skeleton. It is now known that Irritator possessed a thin sagittal crest on it's head, and like other spinosaurs, it is believed that fish may made up a significant part of Irritator's diet. Though it is likely that liekmany other theropods, including other spinosaurs, that Irritator was an oppurtunistic feeder, eating whatever it could obtain, not just fish.
It is actually not known if Irritator had a sail at all, despite some artwork, and mroe fossil remains are needed, but to date, there have been no sail remains uncovered in association with Irritator. However, it is obvious that such an amazing creature is in no way a help to the evolutionary view of natural history over billions of years via accident after accident. How could such a unique creature arise with such specified attributes and ecological niche? Obviously this creature could not have come from another, very different type of organism. Where then did it come from? The best answers seem to come from the creation account of Genesis that states that all creatures reproduce after their Kind.
Suchomimus
LENGTH-36 FEET
HEIGHT-15 FEET
WEIGHT-6 TONS
DATE DISCOVERED-1998
DISCOVERED BY-PAUL SERENO
HABITAT-LIKELY SEMIAQUATIC
DIET-FISH AND OTHER ANIMALS
DISCOVERED IN-NIGER
Suchomimus is a large dinosaur compared to many others, at a known length of 36 feet, 15 feet high, and an estimated weight of 6 tons. It is alo believed that it could attain larger sizes based on the suspicion that the 36 foot specimen uncovered was a subadult. Such a large size would place Suchomimus among the largest theropods since most species do not attain such large sizes.
The first fossil remains were unearthed in 1998 in the Tegama Bed in Niger, Africa. The remains were about 2/3 of a complete skeleton, including the crocodilian style skull for which they named it. Suchomimus means "Crocodile mimic" since it's skull is so similar to thatof crocodilians, which is one reason it is believed that Suchomimus, like most spinosaurs, ate lots of fish.
Suchomimus' nearly complete skeleton, along with that Baryonyx, has helped fill in the blanks for other spinosaurs whose full remains have yet to be uncovered such Spinosuarus Aegyptiacus. Like Baryonyx, Suchomimus had a large "thumb claw", of which the proper use is not actually known, thoug it has long been hypothesized that this typeof claw was used for fishing. It may also have been used for nest excavation, mating rituals, defense and a host of otheroptions. Possibly any or all of the above.
Though Suchomimus and Baryonyx were quite similar, they are not considered to be the same species. And though it is thought to have had a small sail running down it's back, though not nearly as noticeable as that of it's larger cousin.
Like it's relatives, Suchomimus displays special adaptations and physical features whose origins cannot be adequately explained via unguided processes. The creationist will point to the creation account that says that all creatures were made and reproduce after their Kind, which means that such features would have been made as part of these creatures from the beginning. This indeed seems to be the conclusion that scientific investiation suggests.
Baryonyx.
LENGTH-28 FEET
HEIGHT-9 FEET
WEIGHT-2 TONS
DISCOVERED IN-1983
DISCOVERED BY-WILLIAM WALKER
HABITAT LIKELY SEMI AQUATIC
DIET-FISH AND OTHER ANIMALS
DISCOVERED IN-ENGLAND
In 1983 the first specimen of a Baryonyx was discovered in a clay pit in an area just south of Dorking, England by William Walker, an amateur plaeontologist who found a large claw sticking out of the side of a clay pit in Smokejacks Pit at Wallis Wood, Ockley near Dorking.After getting help retrieving the fossils, he contacted the Natural History Museum in London about the find. The skeleton, which was roughly 70% intact was named after Walker (Baryonyx Walkeri) and can be seen on display at the aforementioned museum. In recent yeas it has been determined that Suchomimus and Suchosaurus should be considered the same species as Baryonyx, citing the remarkable physiological similarities.
The largest Baryonyx yet discovered was about 28 feet long and was believed to weigh in the area of 1,700 kg. The species Baryonyx is believed to have lived during the early Cretaceous era around 125-130 million years ago by Evolutionists. Each thumb is possessed by a large, 14 inch claw. Based on Baryonyx's skull that resembles a crocodilian skull, as well as the large thumb claws, it is strongly believed that Baryonyx was a predominately Piscovorous animal. Meaning that its diet consisted mainly of fish. This is also backed up by finding the scales and bones of some fish inside the body cavity of some specimens. Its skull contained 96 teeth, 64 in the bottom jaw and 32 larger ones in the top jaw. It should be noted however that Iguanodon remains have been found in conjunction with Baryonyx remains, suggesting once again that Spinosaurids were not strictly Piscovorous. However it has been theorized that Baryonyx would hunt from the riverbank, fishing with it's large claw akin to Grizzly bears fishing.
Baryonyx is believed to have been closely related to Spinosaurus based on skeletal anatomy and while there is no evidence that Baryonyx sported dorsal spines, it is believed by some that the snout had a small crest on it.
It is interesting that there is one report from Cameroon of a sighting of an animal whose description fits that of a Baryonyx. It was said to be a bipedal reptile and was seen on a river bank fishing in the way that Baryonyx is believed to have done. Could it be that a small population has survived into modern times? And if so what would that imply about the popular historical models of millions of years that Evolution preaches in every Dino related piece on television and in many books?
Spinosaurus Aegyptiacus.
LENGTH-AT LEAST 50 FEET, POSSIBLY 60
HEIGHT-19 FEET TO HIP, UP TO 300 FEET TO TOP OF SAIL
WEIGHT- 10 TONS
DISCOVERED IN-1912
DISCOVERED BY-ERNST STROMER
HABITAT- AQUATIC/SEMIAQUATIC
DIET-FISH AND OTHER ANIMALS
DISCOVERED IN-EGYPT
Spinosaurus Aegyptiacus, "Spinosaurus" to most who have heard of any of his family, is the largest Spinosaurid dinosaur known, and so far, the largest predatory Dinosaur known. Spinosaurus is a member of the small Family Spinosauridae which contains only 3 members currently (Baryonyx and Suchomimus are now considered the same based on anatomical comparisons). It is dated to Late Cretaceous period by Uniformitarian dating methods, placing it at 112-97 million years ago, though this is clearly out of line with Biblical timelines which place it first appearing on day 6 during Creation week around 6,000 years ago with all other land animals. The most notable features that set it apart from other Theropods, besides it's large size, are it's large sail supported by spines, it's Crocodile-like head, and it's conical (cone-shaped) teeth that lack razor edges.
The name Spinosaurus literally means "Spine Lizard", stemming from the unique spines that extend from it's vertebrae and likely formed a large sail (though some believe it may have formed a giant hump). Based on current measurements from recorded fossil specimens Aegyptiacus comes in at 41-60 feet long (12.6-18.1 meters), give or take a few feet or inches, up to 19 feet tall at the hip, 21-30 feet tall at the top of the sail, and about 9-23 tons in estimated weight, Spinosaurus is as of right now the largest land predator of all time!
First discovered in 1912 in Egypt, this animal has literally shaken the foundation of the Theropod family tree to its roots. Described by the German paleontologist Ernst Stromer in 1915, the remains of the original specimen were destroyed in 1944 during a British bombing raid of Munich in WWII. Since then few remains have actually been recovered. As of now there are currently only 13 instances known of Spinosaurus Aegyptiacus known, many of which are merely teeth or bone shards. To date, no complete fossil skeleton has been discovered.
Spinosaurs are set apart from most other Theropods by there unique anatomy, namely there skulls and unusual spines. But also their forelimbs. Whereas most Theropods have bulkier type skulls with short to medium length muzzles with large, recurved, serrated teeth shaped like bananas, Spinosaurs have elongated skulls similar to crocodilians, with cone shaped teeth that are smaller in proportion to the creatures skull size. Another odd feature is the tall (almost 6 foot) spines that extend from the spinal vertebrae. Currently there is no consensus as to the purpose these spines would have served or even if they formed a sail or a hump. Currently most are in favor of the sail theory and are trying to settle if the sail would have served as a display structure for mating and territorial behaviors, or for thermoregulation.
One of the other odd aspects it that Spinosaurus, unlike most large Theropods, had large and likely strong forelimbs/arms. These arms are thought to be so strong that some researchers believe they could actually walk on all four limbs in a quadrupedal stance at times, whereas other Theropods like Tyrannosaurus, could barely use their arms and hands for anything. Though this is based off comparative anatomy studies using Baryonyx specimens since no forelimb fossils have been found for Spinosaurus Aegyptiacus.
This creature is essentially a cross between a Tyrannosaurus Rex and a crocodile. An equally fearsome and awe inspiring animal, and while not a true water dwelling creature, Spinosaurus apparently was built to spend its life in and around water leading a semi-aquatic lifestyle eating whatever it pleased as it was likely the apex predator of it's ecosystem, with little competition from any other creatures except another huge dinosaur like Carcharodontosaurus or another Spinosaurus, and of course humans.
This creature is essentially a cross between a Tyrannosaurus Rex and a crocodile. An equally fearsome and awe inspiring animal, and while not a true water dwelling creature, Spinosaurus apparently was built to spend its life in and around water leading a semi-aquatic lifestyle eating whatever it pleased as it was likely the apex predator of it's ecosystem, with little competition from any other creatures except another huge dinosaur like Carcharodontosaurus or another Spinosaurus, and of course humans.
Spinosaurus' jaws seem to strongly resemble those of a crocodile. Couple this with it's size, mobility, presumably strong forearms and keen senses, a grown specimen could have taken down considerable prey unlike being predominantly piscovorous (specializing in eating fish) like some have suggested. It is unlikely that it's diet consisted solely of small fish since it would require so much time and effort to catch so many small fish when it could easily have taken out a large Hadrosaur weighing several tons.
It is most likely that Spinosaurus ate many different things of many different sizes such as crocodiles still do and other large Theropods are believed to have done, be it an elephant or a bass. Fossil data from other species in the same family indicate that spinosaurs did in fact eat herbivorous dinosaurs such as Iguanadon and also preyed on Pterosaurs. It is certainly worth noting that recent studies have found that most Theropods were omnivorous, meaning that Spinosaurus may have also eaten plant matter, which would be abundant in aquatic habitats.
Some believe that while large, the Spinosaurus was not very threatening, saying that it mostly ate fish, and that its teeth were too small and being hollow, could not have dealt considerable force such as a Tyrannosaurus could. However It has been found that the crocodile can exert more bite force than any other known animal with just over 5000 Psi. And with similar jaw design, it is safe to say that the Spinosaurus may well have topped the crocodile by several fold if scale is taken into account, however thorough testing is needed to flesh out such a hypothesis. Also it should be noted that the teeth of snakes and monitor lizards are also hollow, and their teeth are made to help them take down very large prey.
Some believe that while large, the Spinosaurus was not very threatening, saying that it mostly ate fish, and that its teeth were too small and being hollow, could not have dealt considerable force such as a Tyrannosaurus could. However It has been found that the crocodile can exert more bite force than any other known animal with just over 5000 Psi. And with similar jaw design, it is safe to say that the Spinosaurus may well have topped the crocodile by several fold if scale is taken into account, however thorough testing is needed to flesh out such a hypothesis. Also it should be noted that the teeth of snakes and monitor lizards are also hollow, and their teeth are made to help them take down very large prey.
In all honesty, our understanding of most Dinosaur species' is not fully established, this can be said even more-so of Spinosaurus since it is known only from a handful of examples. However we do know how big some could get, 60 feet long with an estimated weight of around 9 tons, that is a huge reptilian animal, especially for a carnivore. This means that if one so desired it could have made a meal out of most anything it wanted to, even a Tyrannosaurus Rex or possibly even a Giganotosaurus (depending on factors), not to mention the many other animals that lived near it.
In 2009 a study was done on Spinosaurus remains that determined that Spinosaurus may have had pressure receptors along it's snout similar to crocodiles that would have allowed it to sense swimming animals. Another study was done in 2010 that compared oxygen isotopes from a number of different animals found in the same locales that determined that Spinosaurus had oxygen isotope ratios much closer to crocodiles and turtles than to other Theropods such as Carcharodontosaurus. This lends heavy credence to the belief that Spinosaurus was largely semi-aquatic. It is believed by some that Spinosaurus' switched between terrestrial and aquatic habitats depending on competition from other predators such as large crocodile species and other large theropods.
It is certainly worth noting that according to the Creation model found in Genesis that all organisms were created in the same week and therefore lived together throughout a good portion of history starting from the beginning, this means that the Creation model can answer dietary questions that the Evolution model cannot since it states that only certain life forms were alive in certain eras of history. So according to the Creation model Spinosaurus could have eaten virtually any animal that has ever lived if it lived in the same region. If this belief is correct, Spinosaurus could have eaten the same animals as predators of the Serengeti do as well, animals such as Elephants, hoofed animals, Hippos, pythons, large cats, crocodilians, other dinosaurs and even Human beings. Spinosaurus' are reptiles which means there is a good chance they were cannibalistic if they wanted or needed to be. The Creation model also states that originally all animals and humans were vegetarian. This stands in stark contrast to the evolutionary model of history that places predation all the way back to nearly the beginning of life.
With all things considered, it is possible that Spinosaurus, not a Mosasaur, was the animal called Leviathan described by God Himself in the book of Job. It is an enormous, reptilian beast that likely had a fierce attitude if provoked and was nearly invincible to all but the most well armed men. It is easy to paint a mental picture of a Spinosaurus raising up out of a river or lake when confronted by humans, treating iron as straw and brass as rotten wood, laughing at spears, deflecting sword blows with his mighty scales, spewing fire from his mouth and nostrils all while still half submerged in the water.
More on the identity of Leviathan can be found in the section Scriptural Creationism section which goes into more detail about the possibility of Leviathan being Spinosaurus and not a Pliosaur such as Kronosaurus, etc.
