Cretaceous
Kryptops
Kryptops palaios
The catalogue presents Kryptops as a carnivore member of Abelisauridae that lived during the Cretaceous, between 119.0–113.0 Ma. Its estimated range is 6.0–7.0 m in length and 0.8–1.2 t in mass, giving a practical sense of scale. Reference material comes from Elrhaz Formation, Niger. Size and mass are approximations and may change with new fossils or methods.
Evidence-backed summary
For Kryptops, the PBDB records the taxonomic attribution as Sereno and Brusatte (2008).
The PBDB places it in Abelisauridae, and the catalogue record assigns it to the family Abelisauridae.
- PBDB · taxon.parent
- Abelisauridae
In the PBDB record, the reported stratigraphic range runs from the Aptian to the Albian.
The PBDB catalogues 1 occurrence, with material from the Elrhaz Formation (1). Provenance: Niger.
The catalogue records the type locality as “Elrhaz Formation, Niger”.
- Elrhaz Formation, Niger
The catalogue's reference measurements are 6.0–7.0 m in length and 0.8–1.2 t in mass — estimates, which vary with specimen and method.
- 6.0-7.0 m
- 0.8-1.2 tons
The record gathers 8 bibliographic references registered in the PBDB, listed below.
Where it lived
Fossil occurrences on today’s map and in the tectonic reconstruction.
Positions reconstructed by PBDB/GPlates, not observed; this is not an exact habitat map.
Artistic 3D reconstruction
There is no approved species-specific 3D model yet. Generic anatomy will not be presented as if it were evidence.
Physical Specifications
- Length
- 6.0–7.0 m
- Weight
- 0.8–1.2 t
- Period
- Cretaceous
- Time range
- 119.0–113.0 Ma
Discovery Information
- First Discovery
- 2008
- Described by
- Sereno & Brusatte
Taxonomic Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Chordata
- Class
- Reptilia
- Order
- Saurischia
- Family
- Abelisauridae
- Genus
- Kryptops
- Species
- K. palaios
Data status
Taxonomic name matched to PBDB and checked on 2026-08-08.
Taxonomic linkage does not automatically validate size, mass, behaviour or appearance.
- Type specimen
- not documented in this catalogue
- Type locality
- Elrhaz Formation, Niger