Albertosaurus

- Other Names: Gorgosaurus, Deinodon
- Pronunciation: al-BER-tuh-SAWR-us
- Translation: Alberta Lizard
- Order: Saurischia
- Suborder: Theropoda
- Infraorder: Tetanurae
- Micro-order: Carnosauria
- Family: Tyrannosauridae
- Height: 15 feet (4.5 meters)
- Weight: 6,000 lbs (2,722 kg)
- Length: 30 feet (11 meters)
- Period: Late Cretaceous
- Description: Carnivore, Bipedal
- Notes: First discovered in Alberta, Canada, Albertosaurus stalked its preyalmost 8 million years before Tyrannosaurus, a close relative. It had ahuge head with long, sharp, saw-toothed teeth and two-fingered hands onarms that were longer than Tyrannosaurus's stubby forelimbs. With its sleekbuild and long hind limbs, it was one of the fastest runners among thetyrannosaurids. A jaw and teeth belonging to an Albertosaurus were identifiedby Joseph Leidy, who named the first American dinosaurs (see Deinodon).