User:Miracusaurs/Miraculous dinosaurs

Meet the Miracusaurs, the dinosaurs with the most miraculous names!

See if you can guess what makes them truly miraculous! Hint: Try matching the letters in their names with numbers.

Note: This list only contains dinosaurs that are considered valid as of December 31st, 2019.


The Miracusaurs!

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Name Time period Location Diet Fun fact Element Rarity Image
Aepisaurus elephantinus Early Cretaceous France herbivore It's obviously a sauropod, but no one knows exactly what kind of sauropod it is. Nature Medium Rare
 
Agrosaurus macgillivrayi Late Triassic England herbivore It was often claimed to be the oldest Australian dinosaur, but analysis of the rocks its fossils were encased in suggests it was actually from England. In fact, it could be the same as Thecodontosaurus. Water Common
 
Thecodontosaurus, a close relative of Agrosaurus and a possible senior synonym
Ajkaceratops kozmai Late Cretaceous Hungary herbivore Several different analyses find it in wildly different positions across the ceratopsian family tree. Earth Very Rare
 
Albertadromeus syntarsus Late Cretaceous Alberta, Canada herbivore This species belongs to the family Parksosauridae, but it's unknown if it burrowed like some of its relatives. Fire Medium Rare
 
Albertavenator curriei Late Cretaceous Alberta, Canada carnivore Its discovery suggests that there were more small dinosaurs than previously thought, waiting to be discovered. Fire Uncommon
 
Amtocephale gobiensis Late Cretaceous Mongolia herbivore It may be the oldest pachycephalosaur known! Time Mythical
 
Anchiornis huxleyi Late Jurassic China carnivore Scientists have recreated the colors of this four-winged bird-like dinosaur. It was mostly gray with black and white patterns on its wings, and it had a red feather crest much like a woodpecker! Lightning Super Rare
 
Aniksosaurus darwini Early Cretaceous Argentina carnivore Its name means "spring lizard" because its fossils were found on the first day of spring (September 21st in the Southern Hemisphere) Ice Uncommon
 
Antrodemus valens Late Jurassic Colorado, United States carnivore Most scientists ignore this species, as it could easily be the same as the more familiar Allosaurus. Nature Rare
 
Allosaurus, probably the true owner of the bones of Antrodemus
Arcovenator escotae Late Cretaceous France carnivore It is one of the few conclusive abelisaurs known from the Northern Hemisphere. Ice Common
 
Arkharavia heterocoelica Late Cretaceous Russia herbivore It was originally described as a sauropod, but some of its bones might've belonged to a hadrosaur. Time Common
 
Arrhinoceratops brachyops Late Cretaceous Alberta, Canada herbivore Its name means "no-nose-horned-face", but, like most chasmosaurines, it did have a nose horn. Time Legendary
 
Atlantosaurus montanus Late Jurassic Colorado, United States herbivore Most scientists agree At. montanus is actually an Apatosaurus, but "Atlantosaurus" immanis is not. Lightning Common
 
Australodocus bohetii Late Jurassic Tanzania herbivore Although its name suggests a relationship to Diplodocus, it may actually be distantly related. Air Uncommon
 
Avaceratops lammersi Late Cretaceous Montana, United States herbivore This small basal centrosaurine had two long brow horns, much like a chasmosaurine. Nature Medium Rare
 
Bagaceratops rozhdestvenskyi Late Cretaceous Mongolia herbivore Even though a family Bagaceratopidae has been named for it, some scientists think it should be reclassified to the Protoceratopsidae. Time Medium Rare
 
Batyrosaurus rozhdestvenskyi Late Cretaceous Kazakhstan herbivore One scientist attempted to base the clade Styracosterna on Batyrosaurus. Time Medium Rare
 
Bayannurosaurus perfectus Early Cretaceous China herbivore It was one of the largest basal hadrosauroids, reaching up to 10 m (33 ft) in length. Earth Legendary
 
Beibeilong sinensis Late Cretaceous China omnivore It is only known from a tiny embryo in an egg once thought to be from the giant Gigantoraptor. If it grew up, it may have been just as big! Space Legendary
 
Beipiaosaurus inexpectus Early Cretaceous China herbivore The discovery of its fossils revealed that therizinosaurs were highly unusual, feathered theropods. Earth Medium Rare
 
Bonapartenykus ultimus Late Cretaceous Argentina carnivore Round eggs were found next to its fossils, making them some of the few fossil eggs confidently matched with a layer. Lightning Mythical
 
Bonitasaura salgadoi Late Cretaceous Argentina herbivore Its skull is similar to those of diplodocids, and it may have been a low browser. Nature Mythical
 
Brachyceratops montanensis Late Cretaceous Montana, United States herbivore Its fossils may represent juveniles of Rubeosaurus, which itself may be a species of Styracosaurus. Fire Mythical
 
Brachytrachelopan mesai Late Jurassic Argentina herbivore It had the shortest neck of any sauropod! Space Very Common
 
Bradycneme draculae Late Cretaceous Romania carnivore Scientists had long debated about its precise relationships, but it's generally agreed to be one of only two known European alvarezsaurs. Time Common
 
Calamosaurus foxi Early Cretaceous England carnivore Over time, has been hypothesized to be a compsognathid, tyrannosauroid, and an ornithomimosaur. Time Mythical
 
Cetiosauriscus stewarti Middle Jurassic England herbivore Although often seen as the earliest diplodocoid, its precise relationships remain a mystery. Lightning Mythical
 
Choyrodon barsboldi Early Cretaceous Mongolia herbivore It had a large crest on its snout, just like its contemporary, Altirhinus. I wouldn't be surprised if both turned out to be the same! Time Very Common
 
Chuandongocoelurus primitivus Middle Jurassic China carnivore It resembled Monolophosaurus, but no one seems to know exactly how it's related to other theropods. Time Uncommon
 
Chuanqilong chaoyangensis Early Cretaceous China herbivore Lots of feathered dinosaurs lived in the forests where Chuanqilong lived. Nature Mythical
 
Chungkingosaurus jiangbeiensis Late Jurassic China herbivore It has been reported that it possessed at least six spikes on its tail, two more than most other stegosaurs. Fire Super Rare
 
Claosaurus agilis Late Cretaceous Kansas, United States herbivore Because its fossils were found in deposits from an ancient shallow sea, it's possible that they formed when the dinosaurs fell to their deaths from high sea cliffs. Nature Super Rare
 
Convolosaurus marri Early Cretaceous Texas, United States herbivore Before it was given its scientific name, it was nicknamed the "Proctor Lake hypsilophodont". Ice Common
 
Cristatusaurus lapparenti Early Cretaceous Niger carnivore There's a chance that it may be the same as the more famous Suchomimus; if so, Cristatusaurus will be the correct name. Earth Super Rare
 
Darwinsaurus evolutionis Early Cretaceous England herbivore It is very likely the same animal as Hypselospinus. Ice Rare
 
Hypselospinus, the likely owner of the bones of Darwinsaurus
Deinodon horridus Late Cretaceous Montana, United States carnivore Most species assigned to it are now considered dubious or belonging to other genera. In fact, D. horridus itself could belong to Gorgosaurus. Space Uncommon
 
Diabloceratops eatoni Late Cretaceous Utah, United States herbivore It had two long horns above its eyes and two tall spikes at the very top of its frill. Water Very Rare
 
Dongbeititan dongi Early Cretaceous China herbivore It was one of the largest dinosaurs known from the Yixian Formation. Earth Super Rare
 
Draconyx loureiroi Late Jurassic Portugal herbivore It may have been a close relative of Camptosaurus. Water Very Common
 
Dracorex hogwartsia Late Cretaceous Montana, United States herbivore Most scientists consider it a juvenile Pachycephalosaurus that hasn't grown a dome yet. Such a shame; it had a really cool name! Air Common
 
Drusilasaura deseadensis Late Cretaceous Argentina herbivore It may be the oldest member of the lineage that led to the largest known dinosaurs! Time Rare
 
Dysalotosaurus lettowvorbecki Late Jurassic Tanzania herbivore Its name, which means "uncatchable lizard", refers both to the fact that it was difficult for predators to catch it and to Paul von Lettow-Vorbeck, the namesake of the specific name, whom the British could never catch. Earth Uncommon
 
Edmontonia longiceps Late Cretaceous Alberta, Canada herbivore This nodosaur is easily recognizable by the forward-pointing paired spikes on its shoulders. Lightning Uncommon
 
Embasaurus minax Early Cretaceous Kazakhstan carnivore Some have suggested it could be a megalosaur or a tyrannosaur, but no one knows for sure. Earth Very Common
 
Eucercosaurus tanyspondylus Early Cretaceous England herbivore For centuries, it was regarded as an ankylosaur, but a recent review suggests it was actually an iguanodont. Air Rare
 
Falcarius utahensis Early Cretaceous Utah, United States herbivore It represents a transition between carnivorous basal maniraptors and herbivorous derived therizinosaurs. Time Legendary
 
Galeamopus hayi Late Jurassic Wyoming, United States herbivore Most of its fossils, including a skull, were originally thought to be from Diplodocus. Lightning Mythical
 
Gasparinisaura cincosaltensis Late Cretaceous Argentina herbivore It is known from fossils of both juveniles and adults. Fire Very Common
 
Gondwanatitan faustoi Late Cretaceous Brazil herbivore It was named after Gondwana, the ancient continent that was mostly in the Southern Hemisphere. Space Mythical
 
Gryponyx africanus Early Jurassic South Africa herbivore Not much is known about this basal sauropodomorph. Time Common
 
Heptasteornis andrewsi Late Cretaceous Romania carnivore This appears to be one of the only two known European alvarezsaurids, along with Bradycneme. Air Very Common
 
Heterodontosaurus tucki Early Jurassic South Africa omnivore Its name, which means "different-toothed lizard", refers to the fact that it has three types of teeth in its mouth, including a pair of fangs. Nature Rare
 
Hierosaurus sternbergii Late Cretaceous Kansas, United States herbivore The more well-known Niobrarasaurus used to be a species of this genus. Fire Very Common
 
Horshamosaurus rudgwickensis Early Cretaceous England herbivore Some scientists consider it dubious, as it apparently can't be distinguished from other ankylosaurs! Air Super Rare
 
Imperobator antarcticus Late Cretaceous Antarctica carnivore Before it was named, it was called the "Naze dromaeosaur", but it didn't have a sickle claw! Ice Mythical
 
Jobaria tiguidensis Middle Jurassic Niger herbivore It and all its contemporaries were once thought to be from the Early Cretaceous. Lightning Uncommon
 
Kaatedocus siberi Late Jurassic Wyoming, United States herbivore This "toothy" diplodocoid may have been a North American dicraeosaurid. Fire Mythical
 
Kazaklambia convincens Late Cretaceous Kazakhstan herbivore A long time ago, this species was assigned to the genus "Procheneosaurus". While most species of that invalid genus were reclassified by 1975, "P." convincens was only transferred in 2013! Air Legendary
 
Khaan mckennai Late Cretaceous Mongolia omnivore It belongs to a group of mostly crestless oviraptorids. Space Very Rare
 
Lavocatisaurus agrioensis Early Cretaceous Argentina herbivore Its discovery may prove that rebbachisaurids had keratinous beaks! Lightning Very Common
 
Leonerasaurus taquetrensis Early Jurassic Argentina herbivore It may be an advanced non-sauropod sauropodomorph, or a very early sauropod. Air Medium Rare
 
Liaoningosaurus paradoxus Early Cretaceous China carnivore Unlike most ankylosaurs, it had sharp claws, belly plates, and had the remains of fish in its stomach. This could mean it was a semi-aquatic, turtle-like fish eater, making it a carnivorous ornithischian! Ice Legendary
 
Ligabuesaurus leanzai Early Cretaceous Argentina herbivore It lived in the same time and place as the more well-known Agustinia. Earth Legendary
 
Lusitanosaurus liasicus Early Jurassic Portugal herbivore This basal thyreophoran might've grown to be 7 meters (23 feet) long, bigger than the smallest ankylosaurs and stegosaurs! Earth Very Rare
 
Macrogryphosaurus gondwanicus Late Cretaceous Argentina herbivore Because of the strange bony plates on its sides, its clade was called the Elasmaria, which means "thin plated ones". Nature Legendary
 
Mahakala omnogovae Late Cretaceous Mongolia carnivore Although not much of this dinosaur has been found, it was probably just as strange as its close relative, Halszkaraptor, a duck-like, fish-eating dromaeosaur! Earth Common
 
Mapusaurus roseae Late Cretaceous Argentina carnivore This dinosaur was the only one large enough to hunt the giant Argentinosaurus. Ice Very Rare
 
Marmarospondylus robustus Middle Jurassic England herbivore Not much is known about this sauropod. Space Legendary
 
Mei long Early Cretaceous China carnivore Its name means "sleeping dragon", because its holotype was found in a sleeping position. Rather coincidentally, the second fossil was sleeping too! Time Uncommon
 
Mochlodon suessi Late Cretaceous Austria herbivore M. suessi is one of the few valid dinosaurs known from Austria. Time Common
 
Actually M. vorosi, a species from Hungary.
Mongolostegus exspectabilis Early Cretaceous Mongolia herbivore It was originally called Wuerhosaurus "mongoliensis", but that was named improperly, so it was renamed Mongolostegus exspectabilis in 2018. However, that name didn't appear on the Internet until February 2019! Lightning Common
 
Moros intrepidus Late Cretaceous Utah, United States carnivore The last readily distinguishable tyrannosaur from North America lived 15 million years before it, so its discovery helped fill in a gap in the evolutionary history of tyrannosaurs. Space Legendary
 
Nankangia jiangxiensis Late Cretaceous China omnivore It lived in an environment dominated by oviraptorids. It and two other species had a funny series of names: Nankangia jiangxiensis, Jiangxisaurus ganzhouensis, and Ganzhousaurus nankangensis! Time Rare
 
Nedcolbertia justinhofmanni Early Cretaceous Utah, United States omnivore The species name, N. justinhofmanni, honors Justin Hofmann, who at six years old knew so much about dinosaurs that he won a contest. The species name was the grand prize! Time Common
 
Hofmann with his namesake dinosaur
Nothronychus mckinleyi Late Cretaceous New Mexico, United States herbivore It lived in the coastal swamps and marshes on the shore of the ancient Western Interior Seaway. Time Common
 
Nuthetes destructor Early Cretaceous England carnivore Only known from teeth, it could be either a dromaeosaur or a basal tyrannosaur. Nature Uncommon
 
Oohkotokia horneri Late Cretaceous Montana, United States herbivore Pronounced "oh-oh-ko-toe-kee-ah", this ankylosaur's name means "large stone" or "child of stone". Earth Mythical
 
Oxalaia quilombensis Late Cretaceous Brazil carnivore It was a close relative, if not a species or even junior synonym, of Spinosaurus. Time Common
 
Pampadromaeus barberenai Late Triassic Brazil herbivore It was a very early sauropodomorph; so primitive, in fact, that it looked more like a theropod. Space Common
 
Paralititan stromeri Late Cretaceous Egypt herbivore It is one of the largest dinosaurs known from Africa. Nature Medium Rare
 
Pararhabdodon isonensis Late Cretaceous Spain herbivore Despite its name, it wasn't a rhabdodont, but in fact a basal lambeosaurine hadrosaur. Time Very Rare
 
Pareisactus evrostos Late Cretaceous Spain herbivore This rhabdodont's name means "intruder", as it is only known from a single shoulder blade from a bonebed of hadrosaur bones. Ice Medium Rare
 
Pedopenna daohugouensis Late Jurassic China carnivore Known from only a leg, this paravian may be either a scansoriopterygid, anchiornithid, or archaeopterygid (if anchiornithids are in the same family as Archaeopteryx) Time Rare
 
Pelorosaurus brevis Early Cretaceous England herbivore It has been confused with many different sauropod species throughout its history. Time Uncommon
 
Pitekunsaurus macayai Late Cretaceous Argentina herbivore The "pitekun" in its name means "discover" in Mapuche, an indigenous Argentinian language. Ice Rare
 
Plateosaurus engelhardti Late Triassic Germany herbivore Although its fossils were first found in Germany, several others have been found all across Europe - even as far away as Norway and Greenland! Ice Very Common
 
Pradhania gracilis Early Jurassic India herbivore This obscure basal sauropodomorph might be a close relative of Massospondylus. Time Very Rare
 
Proceratosaurus bradleyi Middle Jurassic England carnivore Although its name suggests it was closely related to Ceratosaurus, it was in fact a member of the lineage that includes Tyrannosaurus rex! Earth Super Rare
 
Proplanicoxa galtoni Early Cretaceous England herbivore It is very likely the same animal as Mantellisaurus. Time Very Rare
 
Mantellisaurus, the likely owner of the bones of Proplanicoxa
Protoavis texensis Late Triassic Texas, United States carnivore It was originally described as a Triassic bird, but it is now believed that its holotype is a mix of fossils of different animals. One of those may have been an early theropod, an actual early relative of birds! Time Super Rare
 
Puertasaurus reuili Late Cretaceous Argentina herbivore Although it is only known from a few bones, their size suggests it may have been one of the largest dinosaurs of all time! Time Common
 
Qianzhousaurus sinensis Late Cretaceous China carnivore Its snout was longer than most tyrannosaurs', so it was nicknamed "Pinocchio rex"! Earth Uncommon
 
Qinlingosaurus luonanensis Late Cretaceous China herbivore Not a lot is known about this sauropod, such as its precise classification. However, due to its age, it is likely a titanosaur. Air Very Rare
 
Ratchasimasaurus suranareae Early Cretaceous Thailand herbivore It lived with two other iguanodonts, but can't be readily distinguished from them (or other iguanodonts, for that matter) Earth Super Rare
 
Rayososaurus agrioensis Late Cretaceous Argentina herbivore It greatly resembled the African Rebbachisaurus, but it was much smaller and lived on another continent. Earth Common
 
Rhabdodon priscus Late Cretaceous France herbivore Its fossils, as well as those of its relatives, have been found in many countries in Europe. Time Very Rare
 
Rhoetosaurus brownei Late Jurassic Australia herbivore It is one of the most completely known sauropods from Australia. Time Rare
 
Rinchenia mongoliensis Late Cretaceous Mongolia omnivore Its name refers to the first name of Mongolian paleontologist Rinchen Barsbold. Funnily enough, another dinosaur, Barsboldia, honors his last name! Time Super Rare
 
Rugocaudia cooneyi Early Cretaceous Montana, United States herbivore It was declared dubious within months of its original description. Fire Very Rare
 
Rugops primus Late Cretaceous Niger carnivore Because it was the smallest carnivore in an environment filled with 10+ meter (33+ foot)-long hunters, it can be hypothesized that it scavenged the leftovers of the giants' kills. Ice Uncommon
 
Saurolophus osborni Late Cretaceous Alberta, Canada herbivore Another species, S. angustirostris, lived in Mongolia, making Saurolophus one of few dinosaurs proven to have lived on two continents! Earth Rare
 
S. osborni from Alberta
Saurornithoides mongoliensis Late Cretaceous Mongolia omnivore This troodontid's name means "bird-like lizard" because of its bird-like skull. Ice Medium Rare
 
Saurornitholestes langstoni Late Cretaceous Alberta, Canada carnivore Although a subfamily Saurornitholestinae has been named for it, some scientists believe it actually belongs in the Velociraptorinae, Dromaeosaurinae, or is not closely related to any other dromaeosaur. Nature Super Rare
 
Shunosaurus lii Late Jurassic China herbivore This short-necked sauropod had a club on its tail, just like an ankylosaur! Water Legendary
 
Siamraptor suwati Early Cretaceous Thailand carnivore It was a basal member of the Carcharodontosauria, related to Carcharodontosaurus and Neovenator. Nature Super Rare
 
Sigilmassasaurus brevicollis Late Cretaceous Morocco carnivore It has a complicated relationship with its contemporary, Spinosaurus; scientists don't exactly know which fossils belong to whom, and it's unknown if Sigilmassasaurus is separate from or the same as one (or both) species of Spinosaurus. Fire Very Common
 
Sinornithosaurus millenii Early Cretaceous China carnivore Some people once thought it was venomous, but the evidence for that has been discredited. But we can still speculate... Ice Legendary
 
Stegopelta landerensis Late Cretaceous Wyoming, United States herbivore Its fossils were recovered from the same formation as the more well-known Nodosaurus. Earth Very Rare
 
Stegosaurus stenops Late Jurassic Colorado, United States herbivore Possibly the most famous Miracusaur, it has been a staple of dinosaur books for years. It is well known for its impressive plates and spikes. Earth Uncommon
 
Suchosaurus cultridens Early Cretaceous England carnivore Known only from teeth, it may be the same as the more well-known Baryonyx. Earth Common
 
Tanius sinensis Late Cretaceous China herbivore It was but one of the many non-hadrosaurid hadrosauroids that lived in East Asia during the latter part of the Late Cretaceous. Earth Uncommon
 
Tatankaceratops sacrisonorum Late Cretaceous South Dakota, United States herbivore It is very likely just a juvenile Triceratops with some sort of disorder, possibly dwarfism or stunted growth. Earth Very Rare
 
Tendaguria tanzaniensis Late Jurassic Tanzania herbivore For years, its classification has remained uncertain, but recently scientists agreed that it was probably a turiasaur. Fire Legendary
 
Thecospondylus horneri Early Cretaceous England carnivore This creature is the definition of indeterminate; scientists don't even know if it's a sauropodomorph, ornithischian, or theropod! The most recent review found it to be a coelurid theropod, but that was done in 1909! Air Medium Rare
 
Tochisaurus nemegtensis Late Cretaceous Mongolia omnivore Its name means "ostrich lizard" because it walked on only two toes. Fire Rare
 
Trinisaura santamartaensis Late Cretaceous Antarctica herbivore It was the first ornithopod from Antarctica to receive a valid name. Nature Super Rare
 
Tsaagan mangas Late Cretaceous Mongolia carnivore Its fossils were originally thought to belong to Velociraptor, but now it looks like it's more closely related to Linheraptor. Time Very Common
 
Unaysaurus tolentinoi Late Triassic Brazil herbivore The family Unaysauridae was created for it in 2018. Before that, it was placed in the family Plateosauridae. Air Rare
 
Wulatelong gobiensis Late Cretaceous China omnivore The proportions of its head and body are unknown; one artist has reconstructed it with both small and large heads. Nature Medium Rare
 
Wulatelong reconstruction with a small head
Yangchuanosaurus shangyouensis Late Jurassic China carnivore It was the largest member of the metriacanthosaurids, a group of basal allosauroids. Fire Very Rare
 
Yi qi Late Jurassic China carnivore Unlike most coelurosaurs, which had feathered wings, Yi's wings were membranous, like a bat's! Air Very Rare
 
Yimenosaurus youngi Early Jurassic China herbivore It may be the only genus, barring Plateosaurus itself, that belongs in the Plateosauridae. Time Very Common
 
Zanabazar junior Late Cretaceous Mongolia omnivore This ironically large troodontid was originally thought to be a species of Saurornithoides. Time Very Rare
 
Zapalasaurus bonapartei Early Cretaceous Argentina herbivore Not much is known about this rebbachisaur, which was a contemporary of the more famous Amargasaurus. Earth Rare
 
Zhuchengtitan zangjiazhuangensis Late Cretaceous China herbivore The convoluted species name refers to the Zangjiazhuang Quarry where its fossils were recovered from. Earth Super Rare
 
Zhuchengtyrannus magnus Late Cretaceous China carnivore Together with Tarbosaurus, it was one of the largest tyrannosaurids known from Asia. Space Common
 
Zuoyunlong huangi Late Cretaceous China herbivore Although its name first appeared on the Internet in 2015, it was only validly published in 2017! Space Rare
 
Zuul crurivastator Late Cretaceous Montana, United States herbivore Its full name translates to "Zuul, destroyer of shins", named after a character in Ghostbusters and the fact that its tail club could break a predator's legs! Space Medium Rare