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Fossil Atlas: Specimen ProfileCatalog FA·CARN·1984
Plate 26 · Carnivore

CarnotaurusFossil map and specimen profile

Binomial Carnotaurus sastrei · kar-noh-TAW-rus

Late Cretaceous - 72-69 Ma

Classification
Theropod dinosaur
Family
Abelisauridae
Genus / Species
Carnotaurus sastrei
Diet
Carnivore
Range
Patagonia, Argentina, especially La Colonia Formation context in the current atlas.
Illustrated reconstruction of CarnotaurusIllustration
Plate 26 · illustration onlyFA·CARN·1984
Quick provenance answer

Where have Carnotaurus fossils been found?

Carnotaurus fossil records in Fossil Atlas are mapped as selected modern discovery locations, with 1 source-backed records currently shown. Patagonia, Argentina, especially La Colonia Formation context in the current atlas. Key mapped formations in the current dataset include La Colonia Formation. These pins are fossil record locations, not a complete ancient habitat map.

This remains a specimen profile: the reconstruction, measurements, field account, and evidence sections stay intact. The fossil-map answer is surfaced here so visitors from search can orient themselves before reading the full dossier.

Mapped records
1
Modern range note
Patagonia, Argentina, especially La Colonia Formation context in the current atlas.
Key formations
La Colonia Formation
Map caveat
Modern fossil locations, not ancient habitat.
Field account

Carnotaurus was a horned abelisaurid theropod from Late Cretaceous Patagonia. Fossil Atlas treats its mapped point as a source-backed modern discovery locality, not a complete ancient range.

Built to scale

Size against a person

Drawn true to scale on a metre ruler.

0 m2468101214161820222426
Carnotaurus, 7.5 m (25 ft)Adult human, 1.8 m4× longer than a person is tall
Field measurements

Measurements & capabilities

MeasuredEstimate

Length

measured

7.5 m · 25 ft

Largest known specimens

Height

measured

3 m (10 ft)

Body mass

estimate

1,500 kg · 3,300 lb

Typical adult

Top speed

estimate

48 km/h · 30 mph

Modelled, debated

Known from

Fossil evidence

01Nearly complete skeleton
02Skull
03Skin impressions
04Limb bones
Key formations
La Colonia Formation
Geologic timeline

When they lived

Position of this animal’s known range across 252 million years of the Mesozoic and beyond.

252 MaToday

72-69 million years ago

From the notebook

Field notes

01

Carnotaurus had distinctive horns above its eyes and extremely reduced forelimbs.

02

Skin impressions make it unusually useful for discussing real fossil evidence versus reconstruction art.

03

Its Argentina page helps Fossil Atlas build a stronger South American dinosaur path.

Modern discovery map

Carnotaurus fossil discovery map

Pins show selected fossil records for Carnotaurus; use them as modern discovery evidence, not a complete range map. Modern fossil discovery map: pins show where selected fossil and specimen records were found today, not ancient Earth positions. What does this mean?

Modern Fossil Discovery Map

Specimen evidence

Museum media and models

No open specimen media or embeddable model assets are available in the local enrichment data yet.

Research notes

Carnotaurus fossil map FAQ

Where have Carnotaurus fossils been found?

Carnotaurus is represented here by selected fossil records from patagonia, argentina, especially la colonia formation context in the current atlas. Fossil Atlas maps those records as modern discovery locations.

Is this map where Carnotaurus lived?

No. The map shows modern fossil discovery locations from selected records. Ancient habitat and paleogeographic reconstructions are separate questions.

What formation is Carnotaurus associated with here?

The current Fossil Atlas records include La Colonia Formation. Formation coverage depends on the selected dataset and may not be complete.

Can I make a Carnotaurus expedition card?

Yes. Use the expedition card generator to turn the Carnotaurus map and specimen profile into a shareable card.

Data sources

Attribution

Caveats

Important notes

Selected fossil records from PBDB and museum biodiversity aggregators. Source labels and confidence notes help distinguish canonical paleobiology records from specimen-media records.

Reconstruction images are labeled illustrations and do not represent fossil evidence. Size, speed, and bite-force figures are typical published estimates and remain subject to revision as new specimens are described.

Trust note

Selected source-backed records

Maps use curated PBDB, museum, and specimen-source records with visible caveats.

Trust note

Modern discovery locations

Pins show where fossils were found or reported today, not exact ancient habitat positions.

Trust note

Reconstruction is not evidence

Artwork is labeled separately from specimen photos, maps, and source records.

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