Acrocanthosaurus (Acrocanthosaurus atokensis)
Size
At a length of 11.5 meters, Acrocanthosaurus currently holds the record as the 4th largest land predator of all time. It is exceeded in size only by Tyrannosaurus Rex, Giganotosaurus and Charcharodontosaurus.
Behaviour
Acrocanthosaurus belongs to the group of dinosaurs known as allosaurids, a family of very large meat-eating dinosaurs that lived during the Late Jurassic and Early Cretaceous periods. Typical allosaurids were capable of opening their jaws extremely wide, and may therefore have been able to attack large sauropods. However, this is not generally believed to be the case in Acrocanthosaurus.
Position in Food Chain
Acrocanthosaurus occupied the top-predator niche: it was certainly not preyed upon by other organism in the ecosystem. Primarily attacked and ate Iguanadon, concentrating on old and weak individuals, or any young individuals that stray from the protection of the herd. Acrocanthosaurus could conceivably subdue any of the other dinosaurs in the ecosystem, with the possible exception of the large sauropods (see Sauroposeidon) and the smaller dinosaurs and reptiles (which would have been too much effort for such a small meal).
Habitat
Acrocanthosaurus's large size probably restricted it to open woodland rather than dense woodland.
Life Reconstruction
Bears a minor sail on its back, alternatively interpreted as a powerful muscular ridge with a series of spines (this latter interpretation is perceived in our illustrations).