Xiongguanlong

Xiongguanlong baimoensis

Last updated: January 9, 2023
Verified by: AZ Animals Staff
© Lena_Aeri/Shutterstock.com

Advertisement


Xiongguanlong Scientific Classification

Kingdom
Animalia
Phylum
Chordata
Class
Amniota
Order
Dinosauria
Family
Saurischia
Genus
Xiongguanlong
Scientific Name
Xiongguanlong baimoensis

Read our Complete Guide to Classification of Animals.

Xiongguanlong Conservation Status

Xiongguanlong Locations

Xiongguanlong Locations

Xiongguanlong Facts

Diet
Omnivore

Xiongguanlong Physical Characteristics

Skin Type
Scales
Weight
660 lbs.
Length
15 feet.
Aggression
High

View all of the Xiongguanlong images!



Share on:

“Related to the T-Rex, but smaller, faster, and more agile.”

Xiongguanlong Facts

  • What we know of Xiongguanlong comes from a single specimen discovered in China.
  • As a member of the tyrannosauroid family, it was related to the T-Rex and the velociraptor.
  • They had long, narrow skulls with sharp, curved teeth that enabled them to slice up and eat a wide variety of prey.
  • They were well-suited to running, with a light skeleton and long, slender legs.
  • Xiongguanlong was a medium-sized tyrannosauroid, weighing about 660 pounds and reaching lengths of 30 feet.

Xiongguanlong Scientific name

This dinosaur’s scientific name is Xiongguanlong baimoensis. This name references the location where the dinosaur was found: the Xiagou Formation in western China. The word “long” in the first name is the Chinese word for “dragon.”

Xiongguanlong is classified as a member of the Dinosauria order and Saurischia family. As part of the Theropoda suborder, they were related to the tyrannosaurus rex and velociraptor.

Description & Size

The Xiongguanlong was a medium-sized carnivorous dinosaur that lived during the Late Cretaceous period, approximately 85 million years ago. It was characterized by a long, narrow skull that was adorned with a series of bony crests and ridges. It had long, curved teeth that were adapted for slicing and cutting flesh, and powerful jaw muscles that allowed it to deliver strong bites.

The size of individual Xiongguanlong specimens is not well known, as only partial remains have been discovered. Based on the bones available, Xiongguanlong had an estimated length of up to 30 feet. That’s about as long as two parked cars. It was significantly smaller than species like Tyrannosaurus rex and Albertosaurus, which could reach lengths of up to 40 feet (12 meters). It is likely that the Xiongguanlong weighed around 660 pounds (about as much as a soda vending machine), although precise estimates of its weight are not currently available. It is also possible that Xiongguanlong had feathers, as some other tyrannosaurids did, which could have made it look larger.

Xiongguanlong would have been a formidable predator, with a streamlined body and powerful legs that were well-suited for pursuit hunting. Some studies have estimated that tyrannosaurids may have been capable of running at speeds of up to 45 miles per hour or more. However, these estimates are based on various assumptions and are not definitively known, so it is possible that the actual speed of the Xiongguanlong may have been different.



Xiongguanlong

Xiongguanlong, illustrated here, is often described as a faster, more agile T-Rex.

©Lena_Aeri/Shutterstock.com

Xiongguanlong Evolution and History

Xiongguanlong was first described in 2016 by a team of paleontologists led by Junchang Lü and Min Wang. The fossils discovered include a skullvertebrae, a right ilium and the right femur.

It is classified as a tyrannosauroid, a group of large carnivorous dinosaurs that evolved during the Late Jurassic period and became dominant predators during the Late Cretaceous Period, about 85 million years ago. The Xiongguanlong is considered to be a transitional species between early and later tyrannosaurids, and it had a mix of primitive and derived features.

Xiongguanglong had a number of adaptations to help it thrive in its environment. It was characterized by a long, narrow skull with bony crests and ridges, powerful jaw muscles, and long, curved teeth that were adapted for slicing and cutting flesh. This skull shape may have been used to help the animal bite and grasp prey, or it may have been used for display purposes. The Xiongguanlong’s teeth may have allowed it to feed on a wider variety of prey than other tyrannosauroids.

The Xiongguanlong was also a fast runner and had a body structure that was well-suited for hunting and pursuing prey. It had long legs and a lightweight skeleton, which may have allowed it to run at high speeds while chasing its prey.

Overall, the Xiongguanlong was a highly specialized predator that was adapted for hunting and killing other animals. These adaptations would have helped it to survive and thrive in its environment as a top predator.

Diet – What Did the Xiongguanlong Eat?

Xiongguanlong was a carnivorous dinosaur. The diet of the Xiongguanlong would have been varied and would have included a wide range of animals depending on what was available in its ecosystem. It is likely that the Xiongguanlong was an opportunistic predator It may have hunted and killed large herbivorous dinosaurs, such as hadrosaurs and ceratopsians, as well as smaller animals like lizards and mammals.

Habitat – When and Where It lived

The Xiongguanlong lived approximately 85 million years ago, in the middle of the Late Cretaceous period. The Late Cretaceous was a geologic period that lasted from around 100 million to 66 million years ago and was characterized by the presence of a wide variety of dinosaurs, including tyrannosaurids, hadrosaurs, ceratopsians, and many others.

During the Late Cretaceous, the earth’s climate was warmer and more humid than it is today, and the continents were arranged differently. The Xiongguanlong lived in what is now China. It might have lived in a range of environments, including forests, swamps, and grasslands.

Threats And Predators

It is unlikely that any animals hunted the Xiongguanlong as their prey, as it was a large carnivorous dinosaur that would fight back aggressively against any threat and could probably outrun many other large predators. It is possible that it may have encountered and fought with other tyrannosaurids or other carnivorous dinosaurs, but it is unlikely that any animal specifically hunted the Xiongguanlong as its primary prey.

The long-range threats to the Xiongguanlong would have been the same as those facing other dinosaurs: climate change, natural disasters, competition with other species for food, and evolutionary developments that left them less able to compete in the ecosystem.

Discoveries and Fossils – Where It was Found

The Xiongguanlong is a species of tyrannosaurid dinosaur that was first described in 2016 by a team of paleontologists led by Junchang Lü and Min Wang. The specimen that was used to describe the species was found in the Xiongguan Formation in the Gansu province of China. The Xiongguan Formation is a geologic formation that dates to the Late Cretaceous period, approximately 85 million years ago. It is known for its rich fossil deposits, which have yielded a number of important discoveries, including the Xiongguanlong.

The specimen of the Xiongguanlong that was used to describe the species includes a partial skull and some postcranial bones, which were used to reconstruct the appearance and anatomy of the animal. The discovery of the Xiongguanlong was significant because it provided new insights into the diversity and evolution of tyrannosaurids in Asia during the Late Cretaceous period..

Extinction – When Did It Die Out?

It is not known precisely why the Xiongguanlong went extinct, but during the Late Cretaceous, the earth’s climate was changing. It is possible that the Xiongguanlong may have been impacted by environmental changes or competition with other animals for resources. There was a major mass extinction event at the end of the period that wiped out a large number of species, including dinosaurs. It is likely that the Xiongguanlong went extinct along with many other animals during this time.

Similar Animals to the Xiongguanlong

  1. Albertosaurus: a species similar to tyrannosaurus rex. It lived during the late Cretaceous period in western North America.
  2. Daspletosaurus: a species very similiar to the xiongguanlong. It is thought to be a direct ancestor of tyrannosaurus rex.
  3. Alioramus: a medium-sized tyrannosaurid that lived during the Late Cretaceous period. It had a more slender skull and longer, narrower teeth.

View all 13 animals that start with X

Share on:
About the Author

Drew Wood is a writer at A-Z Animals focusing on mammals, geography, and world cultures. Drew has worked in research and writing for over 20 years and holds a Masters in Foreign Affairs (1992) and a Doctorate in Religion (2009). A resident of Nebraska, Drew enjoys Brazilian jiu-jitsu, movies, and being an emotional support human to four dogs.

Xiongguanlong FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions) 

Was the Xiongguanlong a carnivore, herbivore, or omnivore?

Xiongguanlong was a carnivorous dinosaur and a member of the tyrannosauroid family.

When was the Xiongguanlong alive?

Xiongguanlongs lived during the Late Cretaceous period, around 85 million years ago.

How Big was the Xiongguanlong?

Xiongguanlong was a medium-sized tyrannosauroid, about 15 feet long and weighing about 660 pounds.

Thank you for reading! Have some feedback for us? Contact the AZ Animals editorial team.

Sources
  1. Prehistoric Wildlife, Available here: http://www.prehistoric-wildlife.com/species/x/xiongguanlong.html
  2. Wikipedia.com, Available here: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Xiongguanlong
  3. Dinochecker, Available here: http://www.dinochecker.com/gallery/xiongguanlong-baimoensis.php
  4. Australian Museum, Available here: https://australian.museum/learn/dinosaurs/fact-sheets/xiongguanlong-baimoensis/
  5. Smithsonian Magazine, Available here: https://www.smithsonianmag.com/science-nature/xiongguanlong-a-new-long-nosed-tyrannosaurid-43410407/

Newly Added Animals

A Cobalt Blue Tarantula
Cobalt Blue Tarantula

Cobalt blue tarantulas spend most of their time in self-dug burrows and only emerge when it's time to eat

A Dried Fruit Moth
Dried Fruit Moth

In the event of adverse environmental conditions, dried fruit moth larvae will become dormant and stop developing.

Most Recently Updated Animals

A Cobalt Blue Tarantula
Cobalt Blue Tarantula

Cobalt blue tarantulas spend most of their time in self-dug burrows and only emerge when it's time to eat

A Dried Fruit Moth
Dried Fruit Moth

In the event of adverse environmental conditions, dried fruit moth larvae will become dormant and stop developing.