12 Dinosaurs That Start With N

In the annals of Earth’s prehistoric past, the dinosaurs reign as some of the most fascinating and enigmatic creatures to ever walk the planet. Among these extraordinary beings, this article will explore in depth 12 dinosaurs that start with the letter ‘N,’ in addition to a list of 49 dinosaurs that start with the letter ‘N.’ These dinosaurs, spanning the Late Jurassic and Late Cretaceous periods, present a captivating dynamic variety of sizes, shapes, and dietary preferences. Each of these ancient beings offers a glimpse into the rich tapestry of Earth’s prehistoric inhabitants.

12 Dinosaurs That Start With the Letter’ N’

1. Nanshiungosaurus

First on our list of dinosaurs that start with the letter ‘N’ is Nanshiungosaurus. Nanshiungosaurus, a dinosaur from the Late Cretaceous period, existed around 84 to 71 million years ago. It was a large theropod dinosaur with a bipedal stance. This dinosaur had a moderate size, with an estimated length of about 13 to 16 feet (4 to 5 meters) and weighing up to 2,000 pounds (907 kilograms).

In terms of diet, the Nanshiungosaurus ate a predominately herbivorous diet. However, the Natural History Museum of London lists this dinosaur as an omnivore. Its diet primarily consisted of plant matter and small prey, like many other dinosaurs.

People have uncovered remains of Nanshiungosaurus in China, specifically in the Guangdong Province. This region was part of a lush, subtropical environment during the Late Cretaceous, which provided an ideal habitat for this dinosaur.

The Nanshiungosaurus had a long tail and neck, which likely helped with balance due to their unique size, shape, and bipedal stance. Additionally, its name Nanshiungosaurus is derived from the region where it was discovered, Nanshiung.

2. Nedoceratops

Next on our list of dinosaurs that start with the letter ‘N’ is Nedoceratops. Nedoceratops, a fascinating dinosaur from the Late Cretaceous period, roamed the Earth approximately 66 million years ago. This herbivorous dinosaur belonged to the ceratopsid family, characterized by its distinctive solid, unperforated fill and two prominent horns on its forehead.

Nedoceratops was relatively large, with an estimated length of around 15 to 23 feet (4.5 to 7 meters). The approximate weight could be around two tons. As previously mentioned, its most distinctive feature was its frill, adorned with unique patterns and a pair of forward-curved brow horns. This dinosaur is very similar but not the same in appearance as Triceratops. However, it has yet to be discounted as its own genus as of 2023.

Nedoceratops was primarily a herbivore, feeding on a diet of low-lying vegetation, including ferns, conifers, and other prehistoric plants. Its strong beak-like mouth would have been well-suited for cropping these plants.

People have uncovered the fossils of Nedoceratops in North America, particularly in Montana. This area was once lush, warm, temperate forests, providing ample food for this magnificent dinosaur. Moreover, it is believed that this dinosaur also lived across Asia.

In further regards to Nedoceratops’s classification history, experts initially thought to be of the same genus as Triceratops. It wasn’t until 1996 that Nedoceratops was officially identified as its own genus, separate from Triceratops. This revision highlights the ongoing scientific debate and study within the field of paleontology. To this day, the classification of Nedoceratops is still debated by experts.

3. Nemegtosaurus

Nemegtosaurus, a remarkable long-necked dinosaur, lived during the Late Cretaceous period as well, approximately 72 to 68 years ago. It belongs to the titanosaur group and sauropod clade, which are dinosaurs of immense size with long necks.

Moreover, in terms of size, Nemegtosaurus was colossal, with an estimated length of around 40 to 50 feet (12 to 15 meters). However, there isn’t strong enough evidence to determine its estimated height and weight. Its most striking feature was its incredibly long neck. Its long neck allowed it to reach vegetation high in trees and plants.

Furthermore, its diet is not well-known, once again, due to the lack of evidence in fossils. But, as considered a herbivore, Nemegtosaurus presumably feasted on the lush vegetation of its time. Its diet consisted of ferns, conifers, and other flowering prehistoric plants that were incredibly abundant at that time. Its long neck and small head were well-adapted for reaching and consuming high-growing plants.

People have unearthed the remains of Nemegtosaurus in the Nemegt Formation of Mongolia, which today is in the Gobi Desert. It was a region that was once home to a diverse range of dinosaurs and lush vegetation during the Late Cretaceous period. These fossil discoveries have shed light on this region’s incredible diversity of sauropods. Moreover, experts think it was one of the last sauropods to roam the Earth.

4. Neovenator

Fourth on our list of dinosaurs that start with the letter ‘N’ is Neovenator. Neovenator, a formidable predator from the Early Cretaceous period, roamed the Earth approximately 127 to 121 million years ago. This dinosaur was a theropod, known for its bipedal stance and carnivorous habits.

In terms of size, Neovenator was a substantial dinosaur, with an estimated length of around 23 to 33 feet (7 to 10 meters). It possessed a long, evenly proportioned body with sharp claws and teeth, well-suited for hunting, and a large head.

As a carnivore, Neovenator had a diet consisting of other smaller or potentially larger dinosaurs. Its sharp teeth and claws were formidable weapons in capturing and consuming prey. Moreover, each “hand” and “foot” has three very sharp claws, totaling 12 claws in all.

People have discovered the fossils of Neovenator in the Isle of Wight in the United Kingdom. This region was once a floodplain full of vegetation during the Early Cretaceous, where this dinosaur would have lived and hunted.

An intriguing fact about Neovenator is that it is one of the largest theropods from the Early Cretaceous of Europe. Its discovery has provided a variety of valuable insights into the diversity of predatory dinosaurs in this region during that time period.

5. Neuquensaurus

Neuquensaurus, a colossal herbivorous dinosaur, lived around 80 to 66 million years ago during the Late Cretaceous period. This saltasaurid sauropod was among the smaller sauropods ever to walk the Earth.

In terms of size, Neuquensaurus was still genuinely immense, with estimates suggesting a length of about 30 to 50 feet (9 to 15 meters) and a weight that could have exceeded many tons. Its long neck and tail, along with a robust body, allowed it to reach and consume vegetation high in trees.

Neuquensaurus grazed on a diet of conifers, ferns, cycads, and other plant matter as a herbivore. Its massive size and long neck made it well-suited for browsing the branches of trees.

People have uncovered remains of Neuquensaurus in South America. Moreover, they have been particularly discovered in Argentina. This region during the Late Cretaceous overall had lands filled with warm, luscious forests with plenty of vegetation.

6. Nigersaurus

Sixth on our list of dinosaurs that start with the letter ‘N’ is Nigersaurus. Nigersaurus, an intriguing dinosaur known for its peculiar appearance, lived approximately 121 to 90 million years ago in the Early Cretaceous period. This herbivorous dinosaur was a rebbachisaurid sauropod but differed significantly from other sauropods in structure and shape.

Similar to the Neuquensaurus, in terms of size, Nigersaurus was small compared to other sauropod relatives. Its estimated length reached about 30 to 50 feet (9 to 15 meters). Its most distinctive feature was its wide, flattened snout, which housed over 500 teeth that were replaced rapidly every 14 days or so. It is compared to the modern elephant in many ways. Compared to other sauropods, they had shorter necks, longer tails, peculiarly-shaped heads, and naturally lower-lying heads.

Furthermore, Nigersaurus had a specialized diet of low-lying plants, including ferns, horsetails, and other soft plants. Its unique dental adaptation allowed it to efficiently crop vegetation close to the ground.

Remains of Nigersaurus have been discovered in Niger, Algeria, and Tunisia. These regions were once home to a diverse range of dinosaurs and plant life, including this dinosaur with its distinctive appearance.

Moreover, Nigersaurus’ unique dental adaptation stands out. Its hundreds of teeth, which were replaced frequently, enabled it to process large amounts of plant material efficiently.

7. Nipponosaurus

Nipponosaurus, which means ‘Japanese lizard,” was a herbivorous dinosaur. It inhabited the Earth during the Late Cretaceous period, approximately 89 to 84  million years ago. This dinosaur was part of the Hadrosauridae family, known for their duck-bill-like mouths and complex dental battery. A dental battery is a term to describe hundreds of teeth working together during food consumption and constantly being replaced by new teeth.

Nipponosaurus was a dinosaur of moderate size. It had an estimated length of around 13 feet (4 meters). They had large oval bodies, thick tails, and short necks.

Nipponosaurus was a herbivore. It primarily fed on a diet of plants, including ferns, cycads, and other vegetation present in the Late Cretaceous. They used their dental adaptations with rows of tightly packed teeth to grind plant material.

People have discovered the remains of Nipponosaurus in Russia and Japan, particularly on Sakhalin Island, originally connected to mainland Asia during the Late Cretaceous. This region provided a suitable habitat for this herbivorous dinosaur.

8. Noasaurus

Eighth on our list of dinosaurs that start with the letter ‘N’ is Noasaurus. Noasaurus, a small yet formidable carnivorous dinosaur, existed during the Late Cretaceous period, approximately 84 to 66 million years ago. This dinosaur was a theropod, a group known for its bipedal stance and carnivorous habits.

Noasaurus was very small, with an estimated length of about 3 to 5 feet (1 to 1.5 meters) and roughly weighing 33 pounds (15 kilograms). Despite its modest size, it had sharp teeth and claws, making it a skilled predator. This genus had a down-turned jaw with protruding front teeth. As a carnivore, Noasaurus hunted smaller prey. Its size and agility would have allowed it to pursue and capture its prey effectively.

Fossils of Noasaurus have been discovered in South America, particularly in Argentina. Moreover, an interesting fact about Noasaurus is its name, an abbreviation of Noroeste Argentina, or “northwest Argentina.” It further pays homage to the owner of the Estancia El Brete site, Fidel Leal. This dinosaur represents a unique and lesser-known chapter in the history of theropod dinosaurs.

9. Nodosaurus

Nodosaurus, a sturdy and well-armored dinosaur, lived approximately 110 to 100 million years ago during the Early Cretaceous period. This herbivorous dinosaur belonged to the nodosaurid family, known for their thick, protective armor.

Nodosaurus measured around 13 to 20 feet (4 to 6 meters) in length and weighed about 3.8 tons. It had a heavily armored body with bony dermal plates called osteoderms, which provided protection from predators. They had a narrow head, pointed snout, and short, leaf-shaped teeth. Moreover, their bodies were long, they had short legs, four feet with five toes each, a short neck, and a long, clubless tail.

Nodosaurus was a herbivore. Due to the shape and size of its teeth, it is presumed to have eaten soft, low-laying plants such as ferns and cycads. Its tough beak-like mouth was well-suited for cropping vegetation close to the ground.

Remains of Nodosaurus have been discovered in North America, particularly in the Frontier Formation in Wyoming. Nodosaurus had unique armor, which likely included rows of bony nodules along its bony dermal plates that aided in self-defense against predators. Moreover, it was an ornithischian, meaning bird-hipped.

10. Nomingia

Tenth on our list of dinosaurs that start with the letter ‘N’ is Nomingia. Nomingia is a small theropod dinosaur with an intriguing appearance. It lived during the Late Cretaceous period, approximately 72 to 68 million years ago. This small, omnivorous dinosaur was a member of the Oviraptoridae family, characterized by its bird-like features such as toothless, parrot-like beaks and elaborate crests.

Back to size, Nomingia was relatively small, with an estimated length of about 5 to 5.5 feet (1.5 to 1.7 meters). They likely weighed around 44 pounds (20 kilograms). Its distinctive, long, and low body shape set it apart from many other dinosaurs. It looked similar to a present-day ostrich, except it had an elongated tail that flared like a turkey’s and arms that rested in front of their bodies rather than on the sides.

Nomingia likely fed on a diet of vegetation, including leaves and plants found in its habitat, and small prey such as amphibians, small reptiles, insects, and mammals. They had toothless beaks adapted for grasping and processing food, in addition to short faces and crests on the upper area of their snouts.

Fossils of Nomingia have been discovered in the Nemegt Formation in Mongolia. This region was once part of a diverse and dynamic ecosystem during the Late Cretaceous. Today, this area consists of the Gobi Desert.

An interesting fact about Nomingia is its unusual appearance. Its long neck, low-slung body, and showy feathers make it stand out among its dinosaur relatives. It has provided paleontologists with valuable insights into the diversity of the oviraptoridae group during the Late Cretaceous.

11. Nothronychus

Next on our detailed list of dinosaurs that start with the letter ‘N’ is Nothronychus. Nothronychus, an intriguing dinosaur with an unexpected diet, lived during the Late Cretaceous period, approximately 94 to 89 million years ago. This theropod dinosaur belonged to the Therizinosauridae family, known for its unusual traits among theropods.

Considering size, Nothronychus was moderately large, with an estimated length of about 14 to 18 feet (4 to 5.5 meters). Their weight is estimated to have been 1,800 to 2,600 pounds (800 to 1,200 kilograms). Its most distinctive feature was its long, slender claws on its hands, used for various purposes. This also aided in its name, Nothronychus, which means “slothful claw.”

Nothronychus fed on a diet predominately of leaves, plants, and possibly fruits, but also small prey. Its teeth were lance-shaped and experienced a low replacement rate. They also had a well-developed keratinous beak suited for foraging.

Fossils of Nothronychus have been discovered in North America, particularly in New Mexico and Utah. This region had lush, forested environments during the Late Cretaceous, providing ample food sources for this theropod.

An interesting fact about Nothronychus is its place among the therizinosaurid theropod dinosaurs. Experts initially thought this group to be carnivorous. Its discovery revolutionized our understanding of theropod diversity and evolution, showcasing that some theropods adapted to herbivorous lifestyles.

12. Nqwebasaurus

Last on our detailed list of dinosaurs that start with the letter ‘N’ is Nqwebasaurus. Nqwebasaurus, a small yet significant dinosaur, is the oldest dinosaur in this comprehensive list. It lived during the Late Jurassic and Early Cretaceous periods, approximately 159 to 132 million years ago. This dinosaur was a theropod and belonged to the Coelurosauria clade, which includes some of the most famous dinosaurs, including Tyrannosaurus and Velociraptor.

Nqwebasaurus was relatively small, with an estimated length of about 1 to 3 feet (0.3 to 1 meter) and a weight that was likely around 2.2 pounds or (1 kilogram). Its size and build would have made it agile and possibly swift. They had two long, three-fingered hands. Each included a partially opposable thumb in addition to a recurved claw. Moreover, it was either somewhat or predominately feathered.

Nqwebasaurus was carnivorous, preying on smaller animals, insects, and possibly small vertebrates. Its agile hunting abilities would have made it an efficient predator. However, the shape and structure of its teeth suggest it may not have been a carnivore.

Fossils of Nqwebasaurus have been discovered in South Africa, specifically in the rocks of the Kirkwood Formation. During the time period Nqwebasaurus roamed the Earth, there was a diverse ecosystem in this region, including forests and wetlands, providing a range of suitable habitats. Moreover, as of 2023, it is the oldest coelurosaur found in Africa.

Nqwebasaurus had a relatively small size compared to some of its larger theropod relatives. Its discovery contributes to our understanding of the diversity of coelurosaurs during the Late Jurassic and Early Cretaceous periods, showcasing that theropods came in a variety of sizes and forms.

List of 12 Dinosaurs That Start With the Letter ‘N’

Full List of 49 Dinosaur Genera That Start With the Letter ‘N’

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