This is a list of non-avian dinosaurs whose remains have been recovered from Africa. Africa has a rich fossil record, but it is patchy and incomplete. It is rich in Triassic and Early Jurassic dinosaurs. African dinosaurs from these time periods include Megapnosaurus, Dracovenator, Melanorosaurus, Massospondylus, Euskelosaurus, Heterodontosaurus, Abrictosaurus, and Lesothosaurus. In the Middle Jurassic, the sauropods Atlasaurus, Chebsaurus, Jobaria, and Spinophorosaurus, flourished, as well as the theropod Afrovenator. The Late Jurassic is well represented in Africa, mainly thanks to the spectacular Tendaguru FormationinLindi RegionofTanzania. Veterupristisaurus, Ostafrikasaurus, Elaphrosaurus, Giraffatitan, Dicraeosaurus, Janenschia, Tornieria, Tendaguria, Kentrosaurus, and Dysalotosaurus are among the dinosaurs whose remains have been recovered from Tendaguru. This fauna seems to show strong similarities to that of the Morrison Formation in the United States and the Lourinha Formation in Portugal. For example, similar theropods, ornithopods and sauropods have been found in both the Tendaguru and the Morrison. This has important biogeographical implications.
The Early Cretaceous in Africa is known primarily from the northern part of the continent, particularly Niger. Suchomimus, Elrhazosaurus, Rebbachisaurus, Nigersaurus, Kryptops, Nqwebasaurus, and Paranthodon are some of the Early Cretaceous dinosaurs known from Africa. The Early Cretaceous was an important time for the dinosaurs of Africa because it was when Africa finally separated from South America, forming the South Atlantic Ocean. This was an important event because now the dinosaurs of Africa started developing endemism because of isolation. The Late Cretaceous of Africa is known mainly from North Africa. During the early part of the Late Cretaceous, North Africa was home to a rich dinosaur fauna. It includes Spinosaurus, Carcharodontosaurus, Rugops, Bahariasaurus, Deltadromeus, Paralititan, Aegyptosaurus, and Ouranosaurus.
Name | Year | Formation | Location | Notes | Images |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Aardonyx | 2010 | Elliot Formation (Early Jurassic, Sinemurian) | ![]() |
Primarily bipedal but also capable of quadrupedal locomotion | ![]() |
Abrictosaurus | 1975 | Elliot Formation (Early Jurassic, HettangiantoSinemurian) | ![]() ![]() |
Known from two skulls, one of which possesses tusks, which may be an indication of sexual dimorphism[1] | ![]() |
Adratiklit | 2019 | El Mers Group (Middle Jurassic, Bathonian) | ![]() |
The oldest known stegosaur; related to Late Jurassic European forms despite its early age[2] | ![]() |
Aegyptosaurus | 1932 | Bahariya Formation, Continental intercalaire?, Farak Formation? (Late Cretaceous, Cenomanian) | ![]() ![]() |
Its holotype specimen was destroyed in World War II | ![]() |
Afromimus | 2017 | Elrhaz Formation (Early Cretaceous, AptiantoAlbian) | ![]() |
Originally described as an African ornithomimosaur,[3] but later redescribed as a possible noasaurid[4] | ![]() |
Afrovenator | 1994 | Tiourarén Formation (Middle JurassictoLate Jurassic, BathoniantoOxfordian) | ![]() |
Originally thought to hail from the Early Cretaceous | ![]() |
Ajnabia | 2020 | Ouled Abdoun Basin (Late Cretaceous, Maastrichtian) | ![]() |
The first hadrosaur known from Africa; closely related to European lambeosaurines[5] | ![]() |
Algoasaurus | 1904 | Kirkwood Formation (Early Cretaceous, BerriasiantoValanginian) | ![]() |
Today known from only a few bones; several more may have been made into bricks before they could be studied[6] | ![]() |
Angolatitan | 2011 | Itombe Formation (Late Cretaceous, Coniacian) | ![]() |
The first non-avian dinosaur described from Angola | ![]() |
Antetonitrus | 2003 | Elliot Formation (Early Jurassic, Hettangian) | ![]() |
Had weight-bearing adaptations in all its limbs, although its forelimbs retain adaptations for grasping | ![]() |
Arcusaurus | 2011 | Elliot Formation (Early Jurassic, HettangiantoPliensbachian) | ![]() |
Combines traits of basal and advanced sauropodomorphs | ![]() |
Atlasaurus | 1999 | Guettioua Formation (Middle Jurassic, BathoniantoCallovian) | ![]() |
Possessed relatively elongated legs for a sauropod | ![]() |
Australodocus | 2007 | Tendaguru Formation (Late Jurassic, KimmeridgiantoTithonian) | ![]() |
Potentially an early euhelopodid[7] | ![]() |
Bahariasaurus | 1934 | Bahariya Formation, Farak Formation? (Late Cretaceous, CenomaniantoTuronian) | ![]() ![]() |
Large but known from very few remains | |
Berberosaurus | 2007 | Azilal Formation (Early Jurassic, Toarcian) | ![]() |
One of the oldest known ceratosaurs | ![]() |
Blikanasaurus | 1985 | Elliot Formation (Late Triassic, Norian) | ![]() |
A "hyper-robust" form that niche partitioned with other Late Triassic Elliot sauropodomorphs[8] | ![]() |
Carcharodontosaurus | 1931 | Bahariya Formation, Chenini Formation?, Continental intercalaire, Echkar Formation, Elrhaz Formation?, Kem Kem Group, Wadi Milk Formation? (Late Cretaceous, Cenomanian) | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
One of the longest carnivorous dinosaurs. Two species are known | ![]() |
Chebsaurus | 2005 | Aïssa Formation (Middle Jurassic, Callovian) | ![]() |
Known from two juvenile specimens | ![]() |
Chenanisaurus | 2017 | Ouled Abdoun Basin (Late Cretaceous, Maastrichtian) | ![]() |
Potentially represents a lineage of abelisaurids endemic to Africa | ![]() |
Cristatusaurus | 1998 | Elrhaz Formation (Early Cretaceous, AptiantoAlbian) | ![]() |
Usually seen as a synonym of Suchomimus, although some studies consider it to be a valid genus[9] | ![]() |
Deltadromeus | 1996 | Kem Kem Group (Late Cretaceous, Cenomanian) | ![]() |
Its precise phylogenetic position has been historically unstable, with multiple interpretations being suggested in the scientific literature[10][11][12][13] | ![]() |
Dicraeosaurus | 1914 | Tendaguru Formation (Late Jurassic, KimmeridgiantoTithonian) | ![]() |
A short-necked, low-browsing sauropod. Two species are known | ![]() |
Dracovenator | 2005 | Elliot Formation (Early Jurassic, Hettangian) | ![]() |
Only known from fragments of a skull, but those are enough to tell that it was related to Dilophosaurus | ![]() |
Dysalotosaurus | 1919 | Tendaguru Formation (Late Jurassic, Kimmeridgian) | ![]() |
Known from multiple remains that revealed much about its life history,[14] diet,[15] and even disease[16] | ![]() |
Elaphrosaurus | 1920 | Tendaguru Formation (Late Jurassic, Kimmeridgian) | ![]() |
Possessed a relatively shallow chest for a theropod its size | ![]() |
Elrhazosaurus | 2009 | Elrhaz Formation (Early Cretaceous, Aptian) | ![]() |
Closely related to Valdosaurus | ![]() |
Eocarcharia | 2008 | Elrhaz Formation (Early Cretaceous, Albian) | ![]() |
Its frontal bone was swollen into a thick band, which gave it a menacing glare | ![]() |
Eocursor | 2007 | Elliot Formation (Early Jurassic, HettangiantoPliensbachian) | ![]() |
One of the most completely-known early ornithischians | ![]() |
Eucnemesaurus | 1920 | Elliot Formation (Late Triassic, CarniantoNorian) | ![]() |
Some fossils assigned to this genus were originally interpreted as those of a giant herrerasaurid | ![]() |
Euskelosaurus | 1866 | Elliot Formation (Late Triassic, NoriantoRhaetian) | ![]() ![]() ![]() |
Originally thought to have been bow-legged | ![]() |
Geranosaurus | 1911 | Clarens Formation (Early Jurassic, PliensbachiantoToarcian) | ![]() |
Poorly known but potentially a heterodontosaurid | ![]() |
Giraffatitan | 1988 | Tendaguru Formation (Late Jurassic, KimmeridgiantoTithonian) | ![]() |
Popularly associated with Brachiosaurus but several differences between the two have been noted[17] | ![]() |
Gryponyx | 1911 | Elliot Formation (Early Jurassic, HettangiantoSinemurian) | ![]() |
Although usually seen as a synonym of Massospondylus, at least one study has found it to be distantly related[18] | ![]() |
Heterodontosaurus | 1962 | Clarens Formation, Elliot Formation (Early Jurassic, HettangiantoPliensbachian) | ![]() |
Possessed three types of teeth, including analogues of incisors and tusks, as well as a keratinous beak | ![]() |
Igai | 2023 | Quseir Formation (Late Cretaceous, CampaniantoMaastrichtian) | ![]() |
More closely related to European titanosaurs than to southern African ones | ![]() |
Ignavusaurus | 2010 | Elliot Formation (Early Jurassic, Hettangian) | ![]() |
Only known from a single, mostly articulated juvenile skeleton with a badly crushed skull | ![]() |
Inosaurus | 1960 | Bahariya Formation?, Eckhar Formation?, Tegama Group? (Early Cretaceous, Albian)? | ![]() |
Very poorly known | |
Iyuku | 2022 | Kirkwood Formation (Early Cretaceous, Valanginian) | ![]() |
Uniquely known from an assemblage of mostly hatchling and juvenile fossils | |
Janenschia | 1991 | Tendaguru Formation (Late Jurassic, OxfordiantoTithonian) | ![]() |
Potentially a close relative of Bellusaurus, Haestasaurus, and Tehuelchesaurus, all of which may form a unique clade of eusauropods with possible turiasaur affinities[7][19][20] | ![]() |
Jobaria | 1999 | Tiourarén Formation (Middle JurassictoLate Jurassic, BathoniantoOxfordian) | ![]() |
Known from an almost complete skeleton | ![]() |
Kangnasaurus | 1915 | Kalahari Deposits Formation (Early Cretaceous, Aptian) | ![]() |
Comparisons have been made with dryosaurids[21] but at least two studies suggest a position within Elasmaria[22][23] | |
Karongasaurus | 2005 | Dinosaur Beds (Early Cretaceous, Aptian) | ![]() |
Described from only a mandible and isolated teeth | ![]() |
Kentrosaurus | 1915 | Tendaguru Formation (Late Jurassic, KimmeridgiantoTithonian) | ![]() |
Possessed two rows of plates that gradually transitioned into spikes towards the tail, as well as a long spike on each shoulder | ![]() |
Kholumolumo | 2020 | Elliot Formation (Late Triassic, Norian) | ![]() |
Before its formal description, it had been informally referred to as "Kholumolumosaurus" and "Thotobolosaurus"; the latter name means "trash heap lizard" in Sesotho, referring to how the holotype was originally found close to a trash heap | ![]() |
Kryptops | 2008 | Elrhaz Formation (Early Cretaceous, AptiantoAlbian) | ![]() |
Postcranial remains referred to this abelisaurid may have instead come from a carcharodontosaurid[24] | ![]() |
Ledumahadi | 2018 | Elliot Formation (Early Jurassic, HettangiantoSinemurian) | ![]() |
One of the largest Triassic dinosaurs, estimated as weighing 12 tonnes (26,000 lb) despite lacking columnar limbs like later sauropods[25] | ![]() |
Lesothosaurus | 1978 | Clarens Formation, Elliot Formation (Early Jurassic, HettangiantoPliensbachian) | ![]() ![]() |
Possibly an opportunist omnivore, feeding on meat during seasons when plants are not available[26] | ![]() |
Lurdusaurus | 1999 | Elrhaz Formation (Early Cretaceous, AptiantoAlbian) | ![]() |
The proportions of its body and limbs suggest it may have been a semiaquatic herbivore similar to a hippopotamus[27] | ![]() |
Lycorhinus | 1924 | Elliot Formation (Early Jurassic, HettangiantoSinemurian) | ![]() |
Originally misidentified as a cynodont | ![]() |
Malawisaurus | 1993 | Dinosaur Beds (Early Cretaceous, BarremiantoAptian) | ![]() |
Known from abundant material, including from the skull and osteoderms, but they may not represent a single taxon[28] | ![]() |
Mansourasaurus | 2018 | Quseir Formation (Late Cretaceous, Campanian) | ![]() |
One of the few terrestrial vertebrates known from the Late Cretaceous of northern Africa[29] | ![]() |
Massospondylus | 1854 | Bushveld Sandstone, Clarens Formation, Elliot Formation, Forest Sandstone (Early Jurassic, HettangiantoPliensbachian) | ![]() ![]() ![]() |
Abundant remains have been discovered. Several specimens were once assigned to their own genera and species | ![]() |
Mbiresaurus | 2022 | Pebbly Arkose Formation (Late Triassic, Carnian) | ![]() |
One of the oldest dinosaurs known from Africa; its discovery proves that the earliest dinosaurs were restricted to high latitudes[30] | |
Melanorosaurus | 1924 | Elliot Formation (Late Triassic, Norian) | ![]() |
A robust, quadrupedal herbivore. Some specimens assigned to this genus may not represent the same taxon[8] | ![]() |
Meroktenos | 2016 | Elliot Formation (Late Triassic, NoriantoRhaetian) | ![]() |
Its femur was unusually robust for an animal of its size | ![]() |
Mnyamawamtuka | 2019 | Galula Formation (Late Cretaceous, CampaniantoMaastrichtian) | ![]() |
Its specific name moyowamkiaisKiswahili for "heart tail", which references the heart-shaped cross-section of its caudal vertebrae | ![]() |
Ngwevu | 2019 | Clarens Formation (Early Jurassic, PliensbachiantoToarcian) | ![]() |
Known from a skull originally assigned to Massospondylus; it was assigned to its own genus based on its unique proportions | ![]() |
Nigersaurus | 1999 | Elrhaz Formation (Early Cretaceous, AptiantoAlbian) | ![]() |
All of its teeth were at the front of its jaws, which were wider than the rest of its skull, an adaptation to low browsing | ![]() |
Nqwebasaurus | 2000 | Kirkwood Formation (Early Cretaceous, Berriasian) | ![]() |
The first non-avian coelurosaur named from mainland Africa | ![]() |
Orosaurus | 1867 | Elliot Formation? (Late TriassictoEarly Jurassic, NoriantoHettangian) | ![]() |
Probably a synonym of Euskelosaurus | |
Ostafrikasaurus | 2012 | Tendaguru Formation (Late Jurassic, Tithonian) | ![]() |
Described from a single tooth as an early spinosaurid[31] but ceratosaurid affinities have also been proposed[32] | ![]() |
Ouranosaurus | 1976 | Elrhaz Formation (Early Cretaceous, AptiantoAlbian) | ![]() |
Had long neural spines that projected from its vertebrae, which may have supported a sail or hump in life | ![]() |
Paralititan | 2001 | Bahariya Formation (Late Cretaceous, CenomaniantoTuronian) | ![]() |
Would have lived in a tidal flat environment dominated by mangroves | ![]() |
Paranthodon | 1929 | Kirkwood Formation (Early Cretaceous, BerriasiantoValanginian) | ![]() |
Though only known from fragmentary specimens, they are enough to tell that it was a stegosaur | ![]() |
Pegomastax | 2012 | Elliot Formation (Early Jurassic, Sinemurian) | ![]() |
The morphology of its jaws and beak suggests a diet of tough plants | ![]() |
Plateosauravus | 1932 | Elliot Formation (Late Triassic, Norian) | ![]() |
Known from multiple specimens, including those of juveniles | ![]() |
Pulanesaura | 2015 | Elliot Formation (Early Jurassic, HettangiantoSinemurian) | ![]() |
A low browser that lacked the extremely long neck of later sauropods | ![]() |
Rebbachisaurus | 1954 | Kem Kem Group (Late Cretaceous, Cenomanian) | ![]() |
Carried a row of elongated neural spines, which would have supported a ridge or low sail on its back | ![]() |
Rugops | 2004 | Echkar Formation (Late Cretaceous, Cenomanian) | ![]() |
Preserves two rows of holes on the top of its skull, which may have anchored a display structure[33] or an armor-like dermis[34] | ![]() |
Rukwatitan | 2014 | Galula Formation (Late Cretaceous, CampaniantoMaastrichtian) | ![]() |
One of the few titanosaurs known from central Africa, filling in a gap in their evolutionary history | ![]() |
Sauroniops | 2012 | Kem Kem Group (Late Cretaceous, Cenomanian) | ![]() |
Only known from a single, thickened frontal. Suggested to be a synonym of Carcharodontosaurus[13] but this has been refuted[35] | ![]() |
Sefapanosaurus | 2015 | Elliot Formation (Early Jurassic, Hettangian) | ![]() |
Had a distinctive cross-shaped astragalus | |
Shingopana | 2017 | Galula Formation (Late Cretaceous, CampaniantoMaastrichtian) | ![]() |
Most closely related to South American titanosaurs | |
Spicomellus | 2021 | El Mers Group (Middle Jurassic, BathoniantoCallovian) | ![]() |
The oldest ankylosaur known and the first one from Africa. Uniquely, its osteoderms were fused directly to its ribs | ![]() |
Spinophorosaurus | 2009 | Irhazer Shale (Middle Jurassic, Bathonian) | ![]() |
Originally described as possessing a "thagomizer" similar to those of stegosaurs;[36] these turned out to be misidentified clavicles.[37] A high browser with tall shoulders and an elevated neck[38] | ![]() |
Spinosaurus | 1915 | Bahariya Formation, Chenini Formation, Kem Kem Group (Late Cretaceous, CenomaniantoTuronian) | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
Possess a myriad of features that have been suggested to be evidence of a semiaquatic lifestyle, including webbed feet[39] and a paddle-like tail;[40] it is however debated if it was a marine piscivore[41] or a shoreline generalist[42] | ![]() |
Spinostropheus | 2004 | Tiourarén Formation (Middle JurassictoLate Jurassic, BathoniantoOxfordian) | ![]() |
Although often considered a close relative of Elaphrosaurus, these inferences are based on a specimen that cannot actually be referred to this genus[43] | ![]() |
Suchomimus | 1998 | Elrhaz Formation (Early Cretaceous, BarremiantoAlbian) | ![]() |
Similar to Baryonyx but with a low sail on its back | ![]() |
Tataouinea | 2013 | Aïn el Guettar Formation (Early Cretaceous, Albian) | ![]() |
Its bones were extensively pneumatized, supporting the theory that sauropods had bird-like respiratory systems | ![]() |
Tazoudasaurus | 2004 | Azilal Formation (Early Jurassic, Toarcian) | ![]() |
One of the few Early Jurassic sauropods known from reasonably complete remains | ![]() |
Tendaguria | 2000 | Tendaguru Formation (Late Jurassic, Tithonian) | ![]() |
The first definitive turiasaur known from Africa[7] | ![]() |
Tornieria | 1911 | Tendaguru Formation (Late Jurassic, KimmeridgiantoTithonian) | ![]() |
Has been assigned to different genera throughout its history | ![]() |
Veterupristisaurus | 2011 | Tendaguru Formation (Late Jurassic, KimmeridgiantoTithonian) | ![]() |
Known from a few vertebrae somewhat similar to those of Acrocanthosaurus | ![]() |
Vulcanodon | 1972 | Forest Sandstone (Early Jurassic, SinemuriantoToarcian) | ![]() |
Theropod teeth were found associated with the holotype | ![]() |
Wamweracaudia | 2019 | Tendaguru Formation (Late Jurassic, Tithonian) | ![]() |
The first definitive mamenchisaurid known from outside Asia |
This is a timeline of selected dinosaurs from the list above. Time is measured in mya along the x-axis.
Lists of dinosaurs by continent
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Non-avian dinosaurs |
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Birds |
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