Tyrannosaurids

The tyrannosaurids were a family of dinosaurs whose name is derived from Greek words meaning tyrant and lizard. This is because, in early research, they were suggested to be vicious killers.

All members of this family are strictly carnivorous. They were slow runners, due to their size, and likely scavenged some of their food. However, their large teeth would allow for the quick and easy destruction of the thick armour plating on ankylosaurss.

All tyrannosaurids are easily characterized by their large, thickly built back legs, on which they walked, and scrawny, short front ones.

Notable, discovered members of this family include the Tyrannosaurus rex (T. rex), Albertosaurus, Tarbosaurus, and Daspletosaurus.

Weight Varied from 2-7 US tons (1.8-6.4 tonnes)

Length Varied from 26-46 feet (8-14 metres)

Found Alberta, Mongolia, Montana (area dependent on species)

Period Late Cretaceous