More than 95 million years after it prowled North Africa’s ancient river systems, the predatory dinosaur Spinosaurus is still raising a ruckus—by fueling a long-running scientific debate over how it lived and hunted. Last year, researchers led by National Geographic Explorer Nizar Ibrahim made the case that Spinosaurus, a 50-foot-long scaly beast with a six-foot-tall sail on its back, was a “river monster” that actively pursued prey while swimming. Adding to the aquatic tie, a separate study published in September found disproportionately large numbers of Spinosaurus teeth within Morocco’s ancient river sediments. Spinosaurus Animation This artist's reconstruction depicts the actively swimming model of Spinosaurus favored by Nizar Ibrahim and colleagues, with a paddle-like tail propelling the dinosaur forward. “We agree that the tail of Spinosaurus could have aided in its swimming,” Holtz writes.

Source: The North Africa Journal January 26, 2021 20:48 UTC