Jurassic June: Majungasaurus

Name: Majungasaurus (Ma-jung-ga-sawr-us)

Named after: the Mahajunga Providence of Madagascar

Majungasaurus was a bipedal theropod dinosaurs that ruled prehistoric Madagascar during the last days of the dinosaurs, roughly 70-66 million years ago. It grew to about 25-28 feet in length and 2 meters in height. It may not have been a very big carnivore, as compared to Tyrannosaurus Rex, yet it was the largest carnivorous dinosaur to have been found in Madagascar, meaning it was likely the region's apex predator at the time.

When it was first discovered only the top part of the skull was known. This initially led paleontologists to believe that this was the skull of a pachycelphalosaurid. However, upon further findings, it was revealed to carnivorous dinosaur with a small horn atop its head, above the eyes.

This is also (so far) one of the few dinosaurs to have fossil evidence that suggest this animal was known to have engaged in cannibalism, with teeth marks found on some specimens that matched the teeth of similar to its own.

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