Dilophosaurus is one the most well-known yet misrepresented dinosaurs out there. It was made famous in Jurassic Park where it was shown as the size of a man, with neck frills and poisonous spit. However, this was incorrect. and our view of Dilophosaurus has changed a lot.
Dilophosaurus was an early theropod, or carnivorous dinosaur, living in the Early Jurassic (about 193 mya). It would have been 23 meters long and weighed about 400 lbs. Sadly, the Dilophosaurus wouldn’t have been able to spit venom or extend neck frills like a cobra. And unlike in Jurassic Park, it may have had a coating of down feathers.
Dilophosaurus would have been related to the earlier, lighter, and thinner Coelophysis, and it probably was an ancestor or cousin of the dinosaur Cryolophosaurus (who is often nicknamed “Elvisaurus” due to its funky crest). When it was discovered, it was first named Megalosaurus wetherilli. However, a second, larger skeleton was discovered and scientists realized that Dilophosaurus had crests on its skull, unlike Megalosaurus, and it was renamed “Dilophosaurus”, “double-crested lizard”.
Today, Dilophosaurus has retained its fame from the blockbuster movie in which it was highly misrepresented. However, people are slowly learning the differences and the real Dilophosaurus is being unmasked.
Anay Ganesh 