**Sigilmassasaurus: A Unique Dinosaur from the Late Cretaceous**
**What is Sigilmassasaurus?**
Sigilmassasaurus, which means “Sijilmassa lizard,” is a type of dinosaur that lived around 100 to 94 million years ago during the Late Cretaceous Period. It was discovered in northern Africa, specifically in Morocco.
**Who Named It?**
This dinosaur was named in 1996 by a Canadian paleontologist named Dale Russell. The only species under this genus is *Sigilmassasaurus brevicollis*.
**What Did It Look Like?**
This dinosaur was built for running on two legs and was a carnivore, meaning it ate meat. It may have had a strong neck, which would have helped it catch fish, suggesting it might have spent some time in water.
**Where Were Its Fossils Found?**
The fossils were found in a place called the Kem Kem Formation in Morocco. This area is known for its red sandstone, and the rocks where Sigilmassasaurus was found date back to the Cenomanian period.
**Initial Discoveries and Debate**
The first fossil discovered was a neck bone, but scientists later found more bones that may belong to this dinosaur. There has been some debate among scientists about whether these bones belong to Sigilmassasaurus or to a closely related dinosaur called *Spinosaurus*.
**Confusion with Other Dinosaurs**
Right after Sigilmassasaurus was named, some scientists thought its bones belonged to another dinosaur called *Carcharodontosaurus*. However, later studies showed that its unique features support the idea that it is a separate dinosaur.
**Ongoing Research**
Research about Sigilmassasaurus continues. Some studies suggest that it might still be closely related to *Spinosaurus*, but more discoveries are needed to clarify its exact place in the dinosaur family tree.
**Living Alongside Other Dinosaurs**
Sigilmassasaurus was not alone; it shared its habitat with several other large dinosaurs, which raised questions about how they all lived together as predators in the same area. Just like different types of big cats today, these dinosaurs likely had different ways of hunting and living that allowed them to coexist.
**Conclusion**
Sigilmassasaurus is an important piece of the puzzle in understanding the diversity of dinosaurs. Its unique features provide insights into how these ancient creatures lived, hunted, and interacted with each other millions of years ago.