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Albertosaurus ("Alberta lizard") is a genus of tyrannosaurid theropod dinosaur that lived in western North America during the Late Cretaceous Period, more than [71-66 million years ago]
The seventh episode, "Biggest Killers", introduced Albertosaurus to the series; the tenth episode, "River of Death", had two Albertosaurus successfully take on a herd of pachyrhinosaurs.
Description[]
Smaller than its close relative, the more famous Tyrannosaurus Rex, Albertosaurus could reach up to 9 meters (30 feet) in length, stand about 11 feet tall at the hips, and weigh as much as 3 tons. It had a pair of short, powerful arms and walked on two muscular legs that ended in three-toed clawed feet (similar to those of raptor) and allowed it to move relatively quickly, at speeds of 30-40 mph. Its long, tapered tail helped it greatly with balance and agility.
Fighting style[]
Evidence shows that Albertosaurus lived in family packs, making it an especially terrifying predator. Its keen sense of vision and ability to move quickly on two legs helped it track and zero in on its prey. Baring its sharp dagger-like teeth (each of which had a replacement growing underneath it), Albertosaurus would rush headlong at its intended victim, grab it with its powerful jaws, and rip through its flesh; its aim was to inflict an injury that would cause its victim to bleed to death.
Diet[]
Like T-Rex, Albertosaurus was an apex predator, at the top of the food chain in its geographical range and time period. Its prey probably included herbivorous dinosaurs like the large but slower-moving cerotopsians like Pachyrhinosaurus and the duck-billed dinosaurs like Edmontosaurus.
Trivia[]
- Despite their heft and power, some Tyrannosaurids such as Albertosaurus had hollow bones, like those of a raptor, that reduced the weight of their frame and made them more mobile.
(http://www.history.com/interactives/dinopedia)
- In 2011 the plot of the "River of Death" episode was used in the third episode of Planet Dinosaur series but replacing the Pachyrhinosaurus and Albertosaurus with Centrosaurus and Daspletosaurus respectively.
- It bears the resemblance of a Gorgosaurus from Walking with Dinosaurs movie.
- Despite in the show it's claimed than albertosaurus had 70 serrated like daggers teeth, it had much less teeth, at around 58 teeth, it actually had a bone-breaking bite and not an allosauroid and carnosaur bite that is believed to especialize in bleed and slashing, but having a weak bite force,and the teeth of albertosaurus are relatively thick and had a cross section, indicative of a bone-breaking bite, of about 22607 Newtons.