The Most Underrated Dinosaur, Ranked

Voting rules: Choose the dinosaur you think is the most underrated!

Updated on Apr 28, 2024 06:58

In the shadows of the towering giants known across the globe, numerous underrated dinosaurs have quietly captured the curiosity of paleontologists and enthusiasts alike. These creatures, though less celebrated, offer unique insights into the prehistoric world, showcasing diverse lifestyles and adaptations. It's these lesser-known species that often bring fresh perspectives to our understanding of ancient life, revealing the full spectrum of dinosaur existence. By casting your vote for the most underrated dinosaur, you contribute to churning out new favorites from the depths of prehistory and shining a spotlight on these overshadowed marvels. Engaging with this lineup not only enriches your own knowledge but also aids in reshaping how these incredible creatures are perceived by the broader community. Your participation makes a direct impact on elevating their fascinating stories to wider recognition.

What Is the Most Underrated Dinosaur?

1

36
votes
Therizinosaurus

This dinosaur had long claws and was likely an herbivore, making it unique and fascinating.
Therizinosaurus is a genus of theropod dinosaur that lived during the late Cretaceous period, around 70 million years ago. It was a unique and enigmatic dinosaur, known for its large size, long neck, and incredibly long claws. The name 'Therizinosaurus' means 'scythe lizard,' referring to its distinctive claws.

Size: Therizinosaurus could reach a length of up to 10-12 meters (33-39 feet).

Claws: Its claws were among the longest of any known dinosaur, measuring up to 1 meter (3.3 feet) in length. They were likely used for defense or gathering foliage.

Diet: It is believed to have been an herbivorous dinosaur, feeding on plant material such as leaves and fruits.

Bipedal: Despite its massive size, Therizinosaurus was a bipedal dinosaur, meaning it walked on two legs.

Feathered: Recent research suggests that Therizinosaurus may have been feathered, similar to other theropod dinosaurs.
2

51
votes

Baryonyx

This dinosaur had a long, crocodile-like snout and was one of the few known piscivorous (fish-eating) dinosaurs.
3

40
votes
Deinocheirus

This dinosaur had long arms, which were once thought to be used for swimming. However, recent research has suggested they were used for gathering food.
Deinocheirus is a genus of theropod dinosaur that lived during the Late Cretaceous period, approximately 70 million years ago. It is known for its unique appearance and mysterious nature.

Size: It measured around 11 meters (36 feet) in length and weighed between 6 and 10 tons.

Unusual Features: Deinocheirus has long, slender arms, reaching up to 2.4 meters (8 feet) in length, with large, curving claws at the end. Its head is small in proportion to its body, and it possesses a huge, duck-like bill.

Diet: It is believed to have been an omnivorous dinosaur, feeding on both plants and small animals.

Habitat: Deinocheirus lived in what is now Mongolia, in a coastal, forested environment.

Discovery: Initially, only the massive arms of Deinocheirus were known, and it took more than four decades to find more complete specimens to understand its full anatomy.
4

26
votes
Concavenator

This dinosaur had a hump-like structure on its back, which is unique among dinosaurs. It may have been used for display or thermoregulation.
Concavenator was a genus of theropod dinosaur that lived approximately 130 million years ago during the Early Cretaceous period. It was a medium-sized dinosaur with distinct features.

Size: Approximately 6 meters long

Weight: Around 1 ton

Bipedal: Walked on two legs

Distinctive hump on back: Long, low, sail-like structure formed by tall vertebral neural spines

Large, curved claws: Present on its forelimbs
5

28
votes
Amargasaurus

This dinosaur had long spines on its neck that may have been used for defense or display. It also had a unique body shape, with a long neck and short legs.
Amargasaurus is a lesser-known dinosaur that lived during the Early Cretaceous period, approximately 129-122 million years ago. It belonged to the Sauropoda infraorder of dinosaurs, characterized by their long necks and tails, and herbivorous diet. Amargasaurus is particularly notable for the distinctive double row of spines protruding from its neck and back, which likely served as a defense mechanism or for display purposes.

Length: Approximately 9-10 meters (30-33 feet)

Weight: Estimated to be around 2-3 metric tons

Diet: Herbivorous

Period: Early Cretaceous

Location: Fossils found in the La Amarga Formation of Argentina
6

19
votes
Cryolophosaurus

This dinosaur had a distinctive crest on its head, which may have been used for display or to regulate body temperature. It was also one of the few carnivorous dinosaurs found in Antarctica.
Cryolophosaurus is a genus of large theropod dinosaur that lived in what is now Antarctica during the Early Jurassic period, approximately 194 to 188 million years ago. It is known for its distinctive crest on top of its head, which resembles a curved blade or a tall, thin comb. This dinosaur was a fearsome predator, measuring around 6.5 to 7.5 meters in length and weighing up to 465 kilograms. It had sharp teeth and powerful hind limbs, indicating its adaptations for hunting and running.

Genus: Cryolophosaurus

Time Period: Early Jurassic

Location: Antarctica

Length: Approximately 6.5 to 7.5 meters

Weight: Up to 465 kilograms
7

14
votes
Tenontosaurus

This dinosaur was a common prey item for larger carnivorous dinosaurs, but it was also capable of defending itself with its large thumb claws.
Tenontosaurus is a genus of herbivorous dinosaur that lived during the Early Cretaceous period, around 125 million years ago. It was a large-bodied dinosaur, measuring about 20 feet in length and weighing around 2 tons. Tenontosaurus had a long, slender neck and tail, and its hind limbs were longer than its forelimbs. It is believed to have been a fast runner and may have traveled in herds.

Length: 20 feet

Weight: 2 tons

Period: Early Cretaceous

Habitat: Terrestrial

Diet: Herbivorous
8

16
votes
Segnosaurus

This dinosaur had long, bird-like legs and a beak-like mouth. It was likely an herbivore and may have used its beak to strip leaves from plants.
Segnosaurus is a lesser-known dinosaur that lived during the late Cretaceous period. It was a herbivorous therizinosaurid dinosaur that possessed a unique set of features that set it apart from other dinosaurs of its time.

Length: Approximately 6 meters (20 feet)

Height: Around 2 meters (6.5 feet)

Weight: Estimates place it between 400-1000 kg (880-2200 lbs)

Diet: Herbivorous (primarily a browser, feeding on leaves and soft plant material)

Classification: Theropoda (specifically a member of the therizinosaurid group)
9

9
votes
Miragaia

This dinosaur had long spines on its tail, which may have been used for display or defense. It was also one of the few stegosaurs found in Europe.
Miragaia is a herbivorous dinosaur that lived during the Late Jurassic period. It belongs to the family of stegosauria and is known for its distinctive double row of long spikes on its neck and back. It was discovered in Portugal and was first described by Octávio Mateus in 2009.

Diet: Herbivorous

Family: Stegosauria

Period: Late Jurassic

Length: Estimated to be around 17 feet (5.2 meters)

Weight: Unknown, as no complete fossil has been found
10

7
votes
Carnotaurus

This dinosaur had a unique skull shape, with small, horn-like projections above its eyes. It may have been one of the fastest-running theropods.
The Carnotaurus is a fascinating and lesser-known dinosaur that lived during the Late Cretaceous period, approximately 72 to 69 million years ago. It was a theropod dinosaur, belonging to the Abelisauridae family, and it is particularly notable for its unique physical features.

Length: Approximately 8 to 9 meters

Weight: Around 1 to 1.5 tons

Physical Appearance: It had a stocky body, with short forelimbs and significantly longer hind limbs. Its most distinctive feature was a pair of large, horn-like structures on the top of its skull, which gave it a unique appearance.

Head: The head was short and deep, with powerful jaws and sharp teeth. It had small eyes positioned towards the sides of its head.

Speed: It was a swift runner, capable of reaching speeds of up to 30 to 35 miles per hour (48-56 km/h)

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About this ranking

This is a community-based ranking of the most underrated dinosaur. We do our best to provide fair voting, but it is not intended to be exhaustive. So if you notice something or dinosaur is missing, feel free to help improve the ranking!

Statistics

2998 views
191 votes
10 ranked items

Voting Rules

A participant may cast an up or down vote for each dinosaur once every 24 hours. The rank of each dinosaur is then calculated from the weighted sum of all up and down votes.

More information on most underrated dinosaur

Dinosaurs are one of the most fascinating creatures that have ever walked the earth. With over 700 different species discovered, there is no shortage of variety among these ancient reptiles. While some dinosaurs like the T-Rex and Triceratops are well-known and beloved, there are many underrated dinosaurs that deserve more attention. One of the most underrated dinosaurs is the Brachiosaurus. This massive herbivore was one of the tallest and heaviest dinosaurs ever discovered, standing up to 40 feet tall and weighing up to 80 tons. Despite its impressive size, the Brachiosaurus is often overshadowed by other popular dinosaurs like the Stegosaurus and Velociraptor. Another underrated dinosaur is the Ankylosaurus. This heavily armored herbivore had a thick bony plate on its back and a club-like tail, making it one of the most well-defended dinosaurs in history. Despite its fearsome appearance, the Ankylosaurus is often overlooked in favor of more popular dinosaurs like the Tyrannosaurus Rex. Overall, there are countless underrated dinosaurs that are deserving of more attention and appreciation. By exploring these lesser-known species, we can gain a better understanding of the incredible diversity of life that existed on our planet millions of years ago.