Tameryraptor and Mexidracon: The New “Monsters” from Egypt and Mexico That Are Reigniting the Global Dinosaur Hunt!

Paleontology is on fire again. Two spectacular new theropods — Tameryraptor markgrafi from Egypt and Mexidracon aztecus from Mexico — have been unveiled, proving that the hunt for giant predators is far from over.

From the Bahariya Oasis in Egypt’s Western Desert, Tameryraptor (“Tamery’s thief”) emerges as a 10–11-meter carcharodontosaurid from the early Cenomanian Bahariya Formation (~95 million years ago). The partial skeleton, recovered during 2022–2025 expeditions, includes a mᴀssive skull with blade-like teeth and powerful forelimbs. Published in Cretaceous Research (April 2026), the study by Nizar Ibrahim and colleagues shows this African giant was a top predator in the same ecosystem as Spinosaurus, carving out a niche as a terrestrial bone-crusher.

Meanwhile, in northern Mexico’s Coahuila region, Mexidracon aztecus — a sleek, 8-meter megaraptoran — was found in the late Campanian Cerro del Pueblo Formation (~73 million years ago). Its exceptionally long, recurved hand claws (up to 40 cm) and lightweight build suggest a fast, agile hunter that preyed on hadrosaurs and smaller dinosaurs. The nearly complete specimen, described by Mexican paleontologist Héctor Rivera-Sylva in Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology (May 2026), fills a major gap in North American predator diversity.

Together, these “monsters” demonstrate that large theropods thrived across isolated continents right up to the end of the Cretaceous. From the scorching sands of Egypt to the deserts of Mexico, the dinosaur gold rush is H๏τter than ever — and the next legendary find could be just beneath your feet.