New Mᴀssive Spinosaurid in the Sahara: “Hell Heron” – Cretaceous Riverine Fish and Small Animal Hunter!

In September 2025, the world of paleontology was “awakened” by the discovery of a new giant spinosaurid in the Sahara, Morocco. Researchers are tentatively calling this species “Hell Heron” due to its elongated head, long neck, and semi-aquatic lifestyle resembling that of a giant heron.

The fossil, unearthed in the Kem Kem Formation (Late Cretaceous, approximately 95–100 million years ago), includes a nearly complete skull, jawbone, teeth, vertebrae, and limb bones. The animal is estimated to be 11–12 meters long and weigh around 6–8 tons—one of the largest spinosaurids ever recorded in North Africa.

Key features:

• A long, narrow snout with sharp, conical teeth (like a “crocodile”) specialized in catching fish.
• Large claws on the forelimbs, possibly used for catching fish or tearing apart small animals.
• The bone structure suggests a semi-aquatic lifestyle: capable of swimming, shallow diving, and hunting both underwater and along riverbanks.

Research led by an international team (UK – Morocco – USA) published in Cretaceous Research shows that “Hell Heron” not only ate fish but also hunted small riverside animals (lizards, turtles, even baby dinosaurs). This is new evidence supporting the hypothesis that spinosaurids were versatile “super predators,” not just “land crocodiles.”

The official scientific name is being prepared (tentatively called Saharospinus infernalis). This discovery adds to the diverse list of Saharan spinosaurids (Spinosaurus, Suchomimus, Cristatusaurus…) and shows that North Africa was once a “paradise” for this group of semi-aquatic dinosaurs.

As of June 2026, the specimen is being prepared for display and further study. “Hell Heron” officially becomes one of the most noteworthy dinosaur discoveries of 2025 – a ruler of the Sahara River region nearly 100 million years ago with a long, stork-like head and the strength of a monster.