Category : InternationalPublished on: February 23 2026
Share on facebook
Palaeontologists have discovered a new dinosaur species, Spinosaurus mirabilis, in the remote Sahara Desert of Niger, dating back around 95 million years to the Cretaceous Period. Measuring nearly 12 metres long and weighing up to seven tonnes, it was a top predator of ancient river systems. Fossils from the Jenguebi site, including three skulls, confirm it as a distinct species within the Spinosaurus lineage.
Nicknamed the “hell heron,” the dinosaur had rear-positioned nostrils and conical teeth adapted for catching fish like coelacanths. Its most striking feature was a 20-inch blade-like crest, likely used for display and social signalling. The inland fossil location suggests Spinosaurus species were semi-aquatic freshwater waders rather than fully oceanic swimmers. This discovery enhances understanding of Africa’s rich Cretaceous ecosystems and dinosaur evolution.
