Theropod Tooth Replicas

Above are two Spinosaurus tooth replicas, one still in its original packaging. The dentition of spinosaurids converged with that of crocodilians, and suggests piscivory. In contrast to teeth which ripped dinosaurs apart, the conical teeth of spinosaurs just maintained a grip on aquatic prey. Generally Spinosaurus and close relatives waded or swam in estuaries and rivers, hunting fish. Spinosaurs occasionally devoured other, small dinosaurs but were basically not adapted to fighting and hunting on land.

Carcharodontosaurus (tooth replica above) lived alongside Spinosaurus and the titanosaur Paralititan. It may have killed and eaten both. The serrated, bladelike teeth of Carcharodontosaurus indicate a lifestyle unlike that of spinosaurs and more typical of large theropods i.e. hunter of large terrestrial prey (those which lacked osteoderms, hence could be slashed by sharp teeth).

Above is a detailed copy of a Giganotosaurus tooth. Giganotosaurus was a giant predator roughly contemporaneous with Carcharodontosaurus. As its dentition indicates, it filled the same predatory niche. With its deadly teeth, Giganotosaurus slaughtered sauropods such as Nopcsaspondylus and Andesaurus.

This replica indicates further variation in theropod lifestyle or prey preference. The teeth of Tyrannosaurus were more robust than those of carcharodontosaurs. Whereas the latter evolved to slash unarmored prey, Tyrannosaurus teeth evolved to cope with big armored quarry, originally Alamosaurus, but were also effective against ankylosaur armor and ceratopsian defenses (including tough scales).