Majungasaurus

Majungosaurus was a large bipedal predator from Madagaskar. It lived during the Late Cretacous. Like other abelisaurids, it was carnivore with long neck and extremely reduced arms. Majungasaurus was an apex predator in its ecosystem. Approaching 8 meters long and weighing 1 ton, Majungasaurus preyed on sauropods. Like most other Abelisaurids it had short, wide skull. It was only 70 centimeters long. Like related Carnotaurus, Majungasaurus had bull-like horns over its eyes.

Majungasaurus was the first theropod from Madagaskar. It was described in 1896. I have already said that abelisaurids had wider and shorter skulls that those of other carnivores that characterized by long low skulls. The skulls of abelisaurids type are adapted to withstand a vertical stress but not for twisting. So many scientists believe that abelisaurids dealed many bites to weaken the prey. Looking on its skull I thought about modern animals with the same type of skull. For example cats. They are using bite-and-hold strategy. I am sure that Mjungasaurus and other abelisaurids used the same strategy.

Scientists have suggested that abelisaurids were perfect sauropod killers. Their type of attack was probably good against sauropods. For brawling with heavy sauropods Majungosaurus needed strong and well-balanced body. Also scientists have suggested that Majungosaurus was a cannibal.