A skull reconstruction of a carnivorous Spinosaurus revealed that it tilted its head slightly forward to keep its gaze ahead. This finding was reported by researchers affiliated with the University of Greifswald.
The creature, known from a single skull dating back about 115 million years, was a bipedal predator once roaming the region that is now Brazil. It featured a long, narrow snout lined with numerous conical teeth, and scientists estimate its total length at roughly 6.5 meters.
Using CT scans to capture every skull bone, a team led by Marco Schade produced a detailed 3D model of the animal. The reconstruction suggested that the snout carrier held its nose at an angle near 45 degrees when close attention to the surroundings was needed. This orientation allowed the eyes to focus forward without interference from the extended jaws.
Moreover, the skull design of the Spinosaurus appeared to favor a relatively weak yet rapid bite. From a distance, the mouth’s mechanics resembled a pelican’s beak, implying a preference for smaller prey, including fish that would require swift snapping jaws to secure.
Earlier paleontologists described the animal in broad terms based on fragmentary evidence, noting its distinctive head and sail. Modern analyses, however, emphasize how the skull and jaw arrangement would have functioned in its aquatic and semi-aquatic lifestyle, guiding researchers toward a more nuanced understanding of its feeding behavior.