In the age of the dinosaurs, not too many would evolve into a semi-water going lifestyle, but the Spinosaurus aegyptiacus is an exception. Scientists have studied the massive meat-eaters fossil and found clues of its watery adaptation about 95 million years ago (MYA). Measurements on the skeleton of the Spinosaurus gave it a nine-foot length more, much longer than the biggest T-Rex found.
Fossilized remains were found about a century ago in Egypt, from old records and images found when palaeontologists were astounded by what they discovered. To further their studies, scientists were busy examining more modern-day discoveries in the hot sands of the Sahara Desert. Examining a partial Spinosaurus skull and bones that are found in fossil collections all over the globe. One of the scientists and lead researcher Ibrahim mentioned how odd the animal is and unlike other dinosaurs since then.
By the time, the Spinosaurus Aegyptiacus was already evolved compared to earlier spinosaurids, that lived on land but ate fish as part of their diet. The Spinosaurus Aegyptiacus was the only member to have the biggest sail on their backs. Here are the iconic features it had compared to other carnivores.
a. Evolving nostrils that were in the middle, and on top of their skulls allow it to breathe with it sticking out. Even the higher placement in the back of the skull was an advantage when swimming.
b. At the end of their snouts are masses of a super-sensitive nerve ending, that have receptors which detects pressure. It senses the current and any movement in the water, without moving their heads to look around. It is similar to how alligators and crocodiles hunt in the water too.
c. Armed with large and wicked teeth, that slanted to mesh and fit seamlessly at the front of the dinosaur's snout. Specializing for catching watery prey, the snout is a cone shape and developed for their specific semi-lifestyle.
d. Unfortunately, the Spinosaurus Aegyptiacus had a problem when ambulating on land, caused lunging forward with a long neck and trunk. Ungainly and clumsy on land, yet swan easily in the water despite being a theropod dinosaur.
e. The forearms had curved and sharp claws which hooked and ripped apart slippery prey.
f. it has pelvis which is small and has short hind legs, with muscled thighs that are similar to early whales.
g. Dense bones but no marrow cavities like other carnivores. This watery adaptation allows the Spino to float and control buoyancy when in the water.
h. These dinosaurs had feet with long bones, including flat claws on the toes. Almost like shore-birds, with webbed footed claws for swimming and moving on the shore.
i. A tail that is specialized for swimming, with loosely connected vertebra to propel the beast in the water with ease.
j. One of its iconic features is the sail on the back, made of stretched skin. Powerful muscles kept it standing and denser bone, filled with blood vessels but not so much. Probably for mating purposed, nothing more and is seen when the spinosaur is swimming.
