Dilophosaurus V3 (SciiFii)

Dilophosaurus americanum is a species of non-avian theropod dinosaur that originally lived in what is now North America during the Early Jurassic as an extinct species, Dilophosaurus wetherilli, and was once extinct, but has since been brought back from extinction by SciiFii and, unlike most large carnivorous non-avian theropods, has been intentionally introduced throughout the modern rainforests, swamps, forests, and open woodlands across the eastern part of North America to help boost biodiversity. Dilophosaurus americanum is a medium-sized animal, growing on average of about 7 meters (23 ft) in length and with a weight of about 400 kg (880 lb). It is slender and lightly built, and its skull is somewhat large, but delicate. The snout is narrow, and the upper jaw has a gap or kink below the nostril. It has a pair of longitudinal, arched crests on its skull, which are enlarged by keratin. It has a strong jaw and the teeth are long, curved, thin, and compressed sideways. Those in the lower jaw are much smaller than those of the upper jaw. Most of the teeth have serrations at their front and back edges. Dilophosaurus americanum crests are used for species recognition and sexual selection. Dilophosaurus americanum can be distinguished from other Dilophosaurus species by having darker olive green feathers with darker spots, as well as having a larger, more elaborate crest based on the more complete skull of the extinct Dilophosaurus species. The mandible is slender and delicate at the front, but deep at the back. The teeth are long, curved, thin, and compressed sideways. Those in the lower jaw are much smaller than those of the upper jaw. Most of the teeth have serrations at their front and back edges. The neck is long, and its vertebrae are hollow, and very light. The arms are powerful, with a long and slender upper arm bone. The hands have four fingers: the first is short but strong and has a large claw, the two following fingers are longer and slender with smaller claws, and the fourth is vestigial. Dilophosaurus is an active and bipedal carnivore, and can hunt medium-sized animals (with the biggest prey being whitetail deer (Odocoileus virginianus)); but it also feeds on smaller animals, carrion, and, mainly, fish. Due to the limited range of movement and shortness of the forelimbs, the mouth instead makes first contact with prey. It can grow rapidly, attaining a growth rate of 30 to 35 kilograms (66 to 77 lb) per year early in life. Dilophosaurus americanum is a solitary animal in most of its life except during breeding seasons. The conservation status of Dilophosaurus americanum is Least Concern due to successful conservation efforts, the animal's wide range and its tolerance to many of human activities.
Category:Animals
Category:Species
Category:SciiFii