Topping out at just over 59ft, Spinosaurus is one of the largest carnivorous dinosaurs ever discovered. As its name suggests, Spinosaurus also had elongated neural spines forming a massive dorsal sail.
In some species, the spines in the namesake sail measure more than 6ft in length, providing the framework for an impressive structure that would rise high above the water.
The shape and function of this spine sail have been hotly debated topics. Some theories suggest that the sail wasn't a sail at all but a "fatty-hump". However, a detailed reconstruction in 2014 concluded that the spines were too poorly vascularized to support such a structure and the spines were likely covered by skin and used for display. The same study also suggests that its limbs were somewhat shorter than previously thought, and appear to be specifically adapted to paddle-swimming like early whales.
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