Unique carnivore with horns
Carnotaurus sastrei is a Theropod dinosaur that lived in Patagonia (Argentina) during the late Cretaceous, 70-72 million years ago. Its name means “meat eating bull” due to its distinctive horns above its eyes. The horns were short but strong and probably used as a weapon and guard in conflict between males or for display, much like modern deer. It had a light structure and weighed “only” 1.5 ton with an 8 meter long body.
Only one, but almost complete and very well preserved skeleton of this species was ever found in Argentina. The bones of the skeleton were still connected, with the exception of the posterior part - most of the tail and parts of the hind legs – was eroded. Additionally, skin impressions were preserved, the best for a theropod ever found, with rows of bumps on the rough skin.