These School Bus-Sized Dinosaurs Once Roamed The Sahara Desert
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Archeologists at the University of Chicago have discovered the remains of several bus-sized dinosaurs in the Sahara Desert of Niger. The specimens are the first new Spinosaurus species to be identified in over 100 years. These massive dinosaurs lived in what is now North Africa during the Late Cretaceous period. This was roughly 100 to 90 million years ago.
Dinosaur expert Paul Sereno was inspired to explore the remote area after reading a note written by a French geologist in the mid‑20th century. The note mentioned a dinosaur tooth found in the region. There were no photographs or other evidence. Still, Sereno and his team still decided to investigate the area in 2022. They were not disappointed.
The team unearthed extensive fossil remains, including bones from the new Spinosaurus species. They named it S. mirabilis. It means "amazing" in Latin. The fossils of S. mirabilis came from several individuals. They included parts of the jawbones, teeth, and a long, low snout. The scientists also found vertebrae from the neck, back, and tail. There were also fragments of limb bones, such as the femur and toes.
But what set S. mirabilis apart from other Spinosaurus species was a blade-shaped crest. It jutted 20 inches (50.8 cm) from its head. This dramatic feature may have helped the dinosaurs recognize friends — or rivals — from a distance.
Most of the S. mirabilis fossils found belonged to juveniles. Based on the skull fossils, the researchers believe these young predators measured about 26 feet (8 m) long. This is about as long as a typical school bus. However, their full adult size remains a mystery.
Previous Spinosaurus species had been found in areas near the ocean. This suggests they were strong swimmers. However, the S. mirabilis was found hundreds of miles from the ocean. Its bird-like skeleton also suggests it was not a strong swimmer. Sereno speculates that this predator may have lived along rivers and used its long, low snout to catch fish in shallow water.
The researchers published their findings in the journal Science on February 19, 2026. The original fossils have been returned to Niger. However, replicas of the skull and its blade-shaped crest are on display at the Chicago Children’s Museum. Sereno hopes they will spark children’s curiosity about prehistoric life.
Resources: Phys.org, wttw.com, biologicalsciences.uchicago.edu
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80 Comments
wacotaco20211 dayI think it really cool
sesimysudige2 daysthat is so cool spineosaurus is my fave dinosaur
frodos_elf_stew3 daysnow i need a video game with this dinosour in it✌🏻- ryjotanyguze3 daysThat thing is odd x1 and scary x3.
todyhytijiti4 daysAmazing!
hibyehi7 daysThat is sooooo cool I bet that there is more some were out there!!!! <3- revamiryjedi7 daysGood lord that's terrifying
mblast7 daysyoooo sigmaaaaa I love dinos wooooow
degatejedani7 daysIt could have been a strong swimmer due to the desert being an ocean that long ago
kingaura8 daysSo small
