Mapusaurus in 3D - click the head, an arm, the tail, or a leg for a fact (full controls on the Dinosaurs 3D hub).
A bonebed of seven to nine Mapusaurus individuals found together in Argentina has led some researchers to suggest it may have hunted in groups, like its close relative Giganotosaurus - turn on the human figure to see how a person compares to its skull and long tail.
The measurements in the panel follow published estimates, with ranges shown where sources disagree.
Mapusaurus 3D Viewer
You can drag this Mapusaurus model to rotate it, zoom to inspect details, and click a body part for a fact (full controls live on the Dinosaurs 3D hub).
Mapusaurus roseae lived in the Late Cretaceous, roughly 97 to 93.5 million years ago (the Cenomanian to Turonian), in the Huincul Formation of Neuquen Province, Argentina. The Argentine-Canadian Dinosaur Project excavated a bonebed of seven to nine individuals at Canadon del Gato, south of Plaza Huincul, between 1997 and 2001. Rodolfo Coria and Philip J. Currie formally described and named the species in 2006 from this material, designating an isolated nasal bone (specimen MCF-PVPH-108.1) as the holotype, with twelve additional partial skeletons as paratypes.
Published length estimates for Mapusaurus range from about 10.2 m, based on the largest complete femur described in the original paper, to about 12.6 m in later studies; weight estimates run from about 6 to 8 tonnes. Because several individuals in the bonebed were found together, some researchers have suggested Mapusaurus may have hunted in groups, similar to its close relative Giganotosaurus - though a bonebed alone does not prove coordinated pack behavior, and the idea remains debated among paleontologists.
| Measure | Figure |
|---|---|
| Length | about 10.2-12.6 m (estimates vary between studies) |
| Weight | about 6-8 tonnes |
| When it lived | 97-93.5 million years ago (Cenomanian-Turonian, Late Cretaceous) |
| Diet | Carnivore (apex predator) |
| Bonebed | 7-9 individuals, Canadon del Gato, Neuquen Province, Argentina |
Colors here are an artistic reconstruction - fossils don't preserve them; the numbers above are real published values, with ranges shown because sources vary. Mapusaurus belongs to the same carcharodontosaurid family as the already-shipped Giganotosaurus 3D Viewer, but its bonebed is the strongest fossil evidence yet found for group behavior in a giant predatory dinosaur.
Frequently Asked Questions
How big was Mapusaurus?
Published length estimates range from about 10.2 m, based on the largest femur described in the original 2006 paper, to about 12.6 m in later studies. Weight estimates run from about 6 to 8 tonnes. Turn on the human figure in the viewer to see the scale against a 1.8 m person.
Did Mapusaurus hunt in packs?
A bonebed of seven to nine individuals was found together at Canadon del Gato in Argentina, which has led some researchers to suggest Mapusaurus may have hunted in groups, similar to its close relative Giganotosaurus. This remains debated - a bonebed shows several animals died in the same place, but it does not by itself prove they hunted together while alive.
When and where did Mapusaurus live?
In the Late Cretaceous, roughly 97 to 93.5 million years ago (the Cenomanian to Turonian), in what is now the Huincul Formation of Neuquen Province, Argentina. The Argentine-Canadian Dinosaur Project excavated the bonebed between 1997 and 2001, and Rodolfo Coria and Philip J. Currie formally described and named the species in 2006.
Is the model scientifically accurate?
The proportions follow published figures, but the skin color and texture are an artistic reconstruction - fossils preserve bone, not soft tissue or color. This model is not a fossil-accurate skeleton. The length, weight, and age figures shown are real published values, with ranges cited because sources disagree.
Do I need to install anything to view it?
No. The model renders in your browser with WebGL - no app, no account, and nothing about your visit is sent to a server. The 3D engine loads once and is then cached.