**Wiehenvenator: A Dinosaur from Germany**
*Wiehenvenator* is a type of dinosaur that lived during the Middle Jurassic period, around 166 to 164 million years ago.
This dinosaur was discovered in northwestern Germany, specifically in the Wiehen Hills, and it belongs to the group of carnivorous dinosaurs known as theropods.
The only species of *Wiehenvenator* is called *Wiehenvenator albati*.
**Discovery of Wiehenvenator**
In 1998, a geologist named Friedrich Albat found some large fossil bones in an old quarry while searching for natural history specimens. These bones were revealed in a type of rock mostly made up of mudstone and sandstones.
The excavation of these remains took place between 1998 and 2001. Due to their condition, the team had to be very careful while removing the bones from the surrounding material.
These fossils attracted a lot of attention and were often referred to as “the Minden Monster.” Some reports estimated that this dinosaur might have been up to 15 meters long, but later estimates suggested it was closer to 7 to 10 meters.
In 2016, scientists officially named the dinosaur *Wiehenvenator albati* to honor Friedrich Albat, the discoverer.
**What Did Wiehenvenator Look Like?**
The fossils of *Wiehenvenator* include parts of its skull, teeth, ribs, and bones from its legs and tail.
It was likely a large dinosaur that was still growing when it died. Histological studies of its bones suggest that it was at least nine years old at the time of its death.
*Wiehenvenator* is considered to be one of the largest theropods found in Europe.
**Classification of Wiehenvenator**
*Wiehenvenator* is classified in the group called Megalosauridae, which includes other large theropods. This group is known for its carnivorous members, which were often top predators in their environments.
**Living Environment**
Along with *Wiehenvenator*, many other fossils, including those of marine animals, were found in the same area, suggesting that it lived in a diverse ecosystem.
The discovery of more fossils around the site suggests that there could be even more discoveries of ancient creatures in the future.
Overall, *Wiehenvenator* provides valuable insight into the types of dinosaurs that roamed Europe millions of years ago and how they lived in their environments.