In today’s post, we’re looking at dinosaurs that start with M.
Dinosaurs! These creatures have roamed the Earth before us humans and left us in awe with their existence, behavior, and extinction. Fossil records suggest that they lived during the Mesozoic Era, known also as the Age of Dinosaurs, for more than 150 million years. Scientists have identified and classified over 700 different species of dinosaurs, each with its unique features. From the herbivorous mighty long-necked Sauropods to the meat-eating Tyrannosaurus Rex, every type of dinosaur had its special niche in the ecosystem. Although these creatures have vanished from the face of the earth, their legacy still lives on and fascinates people of all ages today.
When I started compiling this list of dinosaurs, I was amazed by the sheer number of species that existed. But I was determined to create an extensive list that accurately represented these long-extinct creatures. It took time, perseverance, and attention to every detail. But in the end, it was worth it. And I am excited to share my knowledge with others through this comprehensive list.
So, let’s begin exploring this list of dinosaurs starting with M!
Contents
And here’s the list of dinosaurs that begin with M letter.
Macelognathus is a small, herbivorous dinosaur that lived during the Late Cretaceous period. Its name means “long-jawed” and refers to its elongated snout and numerous teeth. This dinosaur is believed to have been similar in size to a modern-day turkey, and its agile form made it an adept runner. Macelognathus is thought to have lived in forested areas of North America, where it likely fed on leaves, fruits, and other plant materials.
Machairasaurus is a genus of terrestrial herbivorous dinosaur that lived during the Late Cretaceous period. It is best known for its uniquely shaped teeth, which were flattened and serrated like steak knives. This adaptation allowed Machairasaurus to easily slice through tough vegetation and consume a wide variety of plant material. Like many herbivorous dinosaurs, Machairasaurus is believed to have lived in herds and may have migrated seasonally in search of food and water.
Machairoceratops is a genus of herbivorous dinosaur that lived during the Late Cretaceous period. It had a large frill and horns on its head, which were likely used for display and defense against predators. Machairoceratops is thought to have been a relatively large dinosaur, measuring up to 20 feet in length. Its name means “sword-horned face” and refers to its unique facial features.
Macrocollum is a genus of long-necked herbivorous dinosaur that lived during the Late Triassic period. It is notable for possessing one of the longest necks of any dinosaur, with some individuals having necks that measured up to 8 meters in length. Macrocollum likely used its long neck to reach high branches for food and may have also used it to attract mates and intimidate rivals.
Macrodontophion is a genus of herbivorous dinosaur that lived during the Late Cretaceous period. It had long, sharp teeth that were used to slice through tough vegetation. This adaptation allowed Macrodontophion to feed on plants that were inaccessible to other herbivorous dinosaurs. It is thought to have lived in arid environments, where it likely fed on tough, drought-resistant plants.
Macrogryphosaurus is a genus of herbivorous dinosaur that lived during the Late Cretaceous period. It was a large sauropod, measuring up to 70 feet in length and weighing up to 50 tons. Its name means “large hooked lizard” and refers to the hook-shaped claws on its feet. Macrogryphosaurus likely fed on large quantities of vegetation, and its size and strength would have made it nearly impervious to predators.
Macrophalangia is a genus of herbivorous dinosaur that lived during the Late Jurassic period. It is notable for having incredibly long toes, which likely helped it to navigate rough terrain and climb steep slopes. Macrophalangia is thought to have been a relatively small dinosaur, measuring only a few feet in length. Its diet likely consisted of ferns, conifers, and other low-growing plants.
Macrurosaurus is a genus of large herbivorous dinosaur that lived during the Late Cretaceous period. It was a sauropod, measuring up to 80 feet in length and weighing up to 30 tons. Its long neck and tail helped it to balance and navigate through its environment, and its sharp teeth were used to strip branches of their leaves. Like most sauropods, Macrurosaurus likely fed on enormous quantities of vegetation each day.
Magnamanus is a genus of theropod dinosaur that lived during the Late Jurassic period. It is notable for having excessively long front arms, which some paleontologists speculate may have been used for display or grasping prey. Magnamanus was a relatively small dinosaur, measuring only a few feet in length. Its diet likely consisted of small animals such as lizards, insects, and small mammals.
Magnapaulia is a genus of herbivorous dinosaur that lived during the Late Cretaceous period. It was a large hadrosaur, measuring up to 30 feet in length and weighing up to 2 tons. Its jaws contained hundreds of crushing teeth that were used to grind tough vegetation. Magnapaulia likely lived in herds and migrated seasonally in search of food and water.
Magnirostris is a genus of herbivorous dinosaur that lived during the Late Cretaceous period. It was a large hadrosaur, measuring up to 40 feet in length and weighing up to 4 tons. Its name means “big beak” and refers to its uniquely shaped facial structure, which likely aided it in processing tough vegetation. Magnirostris was likely a slow-moving dinosaur that relied on its sheer size and strength to deter predators.
Magnosaurus is a genus of theropod dinosaur that lived during the Late Jurassic period. It was a relatively small dinosaur, measuring only a few feet in length. Its jaws contained sharp teeth that were used to capture small animals such as lizards, insects, and small mammals. Magnosaurus likely moved quickly and was an efficient hunter, depending on its speed and agility to catch its prey.
Magyarosaurus is a genus of sauropod dinosaur that lived during the Late Cretaceous period. It was a relatively small dinosaur, measuring up to 23 feet in length and weighing up to 2 tons. Magyarosaurus likely fed on low-growing vegetation such as ferns and other underbrush. Its small size made it vulnerable to predators, and it likely relied on its sharp senses and speed to evade danger.
Mahakala is a genus of theropod dinosaur that lived during the Late Jurassic period. It was a relatively small dinosaur, measuring only a few feet in length. Its jaws contained sharp teeth that were used to capture small animals such as lizards, insects, and small mammals. Mahakala likely moved quickly and was an efficient hunter, depending on its speed and agility to catch its prey.
Mahuidacursor is a genus of small, herbivorous dinosaurs that lived during the Late Cretaceous period. It is notable for its distinctive teeth, which were adapted for grinding tough vegetation. Mahuidacursor likely lived in small social groups and fed on a variety of low-growing plants.
Maiasaura is a genus of large herbivorous dinosaur that lived during the Late Cretaceous period. It was a hadrosaur, meaning it had a duck-like bill and hundreds of grinding teeth. Maiasaura likely lived in large herds and was capable of migrating long distances in search of food and water. Fossil evidence suggests that Maiasaura was a caring parent, with adults taking care of their young for several years after hatching.
Majungasaurus is a genus of theropod dinosaur that lived during the Late Cretaceous period. It was a relatively large dinosaur, measuring up to 23 feet in length. Its jaws contained sharp teeth that were used to capture large prey, such as other dinosaurs. Majungasaurus likely lived in small groups and may have hunted cooperatively to take down larger prey.
Majungatholus is a genus of herbivorous dinosaur that lived during the Late Cretaceous period. It was a small, bipedal dinosaur that likely moved quickly and was adept at dodging predators. Its name means “noble Majunga” and refers to the location where its fossils were first discovered. Majungatholus likely fed on low-growing vegetation and may have lived in small herds for protection.
Malarguesaurus is a genus of sauropod dinosaur that lived during the Late Cretaceous period. It was a relatively large dinosaur, measuring up to 70 feet in length and weighing up to 60 tons. Its long neck and tail helped it to balance and navigate through its environment, and its large size likely protected it from most predators. Malarguesaurus is thought to have fed on large quantities of vegetation each day in order to sustain its massive body.
Malawisaurus was a long-necked herbivore who lived about 110 million years ago in what is now present-day Malawi, Africa.
Maleevosaurus was a bipedal, meat-eating dinosaur that lived during the late Jurassic period.
Maleevus was a small, carnivorous dinosaur that roamed the earth during the Late Jurassic period, about 150 million years ago.
Mamenchisaurus was a long-necked, herbivorous dinosaur that lived during the Late Jurassic period, about 155 to 145 million years ago.
Mandschurosaurus was a plant-eating dinosaur that lived in China during the late Cretaceous period, about 70 million years ago.
Manidens was a small, herbivorous dinosaur that lived in what is now Argentina during the Late Cretaceous period, about 80 million years ago.
Mansourasaurus was a plant-eating dinosaur that lived about 80 million years ago, during the Late Cretaceous period, in what is now present-day Egypt.
Mantellisaurus was an herbivorous, long-necked dinosaur that lived during the Cretaceous period, about 125 million years ago.
Mantellodon was a plant-eating dinosaur that lived during the late Cretaceous period, approximately 100 million years ago, in what is now Madagascar.
Mapusaurus was a large, meat-eating dinosaur that lived about 100-95 million years ago during the mid-Cretaceous period in South America.
Maraapunisaurus was a plant-eating dinosaur that lived during the Late Cretaceous period about 72 million years ago in what is now present-day India.
Marasuchus was a small, crocodile-like carnivorous dinosaur that roamed the earth during the Late Triassic period, about 230 to 208 million years ago.
Marmarospondylus was a small, plant-eating dinosaur that lived during the Late Triassic period, about 220 million years ago.
Marshosaurus was a meat-eating dinosaur that lived during the Late Jurassic period, around 150 million years ago, in what is now North America.
Martharaptor was a small, bipedal carnivorous dinosaur that lived during the Late Cretaceous period, about 75 million years ago, in what is now Montana, USA.
Masiakasaurus was a small predatory dinosaur that lived during the Late Cretaceous period, about 70 to 65 million years ago, in what is now Madagascar.
Massospondylus was a plant-eating dinosaur that lived during the Early Jurassic period, about 200 to 183 million years ago, in what is now southern Africa.
Matheronodon was a small, plant-eating dinosaur that lived during the Late Cretaceous period, about 70 million years ago in what is now France.
Maxakalisaurus was a long-necked, plant-eating dinosaur that lived during the Late Cretaceous period, about 80 million years ago, in what is now Brazil.
Mbiresaurus was a small plant-eating dinosaur that lived during the Late Triassic period, about 215 million years ago.
Medusaceratops was a herbivorous dinosaur that lived during the Late Cretaceous period, about 80 to 79 million years ago, in what is now Alberta, Canada.
Megalosaurus was a meat-eating dinosaur that lived during the Middle Jurassic period, about 166 million years ago, in what is now Europe.
Megapnosaurus was a small, carnivorous dinosaur that lived during the Late Triassic period, about 225 million years ago, in what is now Arizona.
Megaraptor was a large, carnivorous dinosaur that lived during the Late Cretaceous period, about 84 to 66 million years ago, in what is now Argentina.
Mei was a small, feathered dinosaur that lived during the Early Cretaceous period, about 130 million years ago in what is now China.
Melanorosaurus was a long-necked, plant-eating dinosaur that lived during the Late Triassic period, about 205 to 200 million years ago, in what is now South Africa.
Mendozasaurus was a long-necked, herbivorous dinosaur that lived during the Late Cretaceous period, about 70 to 65 million years ago, in what is now Argentina.
Menefeeceratops was a herbivorous dinosaur that lived during the Late Cretaceous period, about 81 to 80 million years ago, in what is now Montana, USA.
A theropod dinosaur discovered in the Campanian-age Upper Cretaceous rocks in the Argentine province of Neuquén. It is known from a single partial fibula and a left pes.
Named after the messenger of the gods, Mercury. It is a genus of centrosaurine ceratopsian dinosaur that lived in Alberta, Canada during the Late Cretaceous period.
Meroktenos is a prehistoric reptile that lived during the Late Cretaceous period in what is now Africa. It was a member of the Abelisauridae family of theropod dinosaurs.
A carnivorous dinosaur from the Middle Jurassic of England and was a medium-sized predator, reaching lengths of approximately 6 meters.
Microceratus, meaning “small-horned”, is a genus of small ceratopsian dinosaur that lived in Asia during the Late Cretaceous period. It was only about 1 meter long and weighed around 10 kg.
Microhadrosaurus is a genus of small ornithopod dinosaur that lived in the Cretaceous period in what is now Montana, USA. It was only about 1.2 meters long and weighed around 20 kg.
A small herbivorous dinosaur from the Late Cretaceous of Mongolia, Micropachycephalosaurus had a rounded, bony dome on top of its skull, which was relatively flat and extended backwards.
Microraptor was a small, feathered dinosaur that lived in what is now China during the Early Cretaceous period. It had four wings and was capable of gliding and maybe even powered flight.
Microvenator, meaning “small hunter”, is a genus of dromaeosaurid theropod dinosaur that lived in what is now Montana during the Late Cretaceous period. It measured around 1.5 meters in length.
A genus of small non-avian theropod dinosaur that lived during the Late Jurassic period in what is now Colorado. It was about 3.5 meters long and weighed around 35 kg.
Minmi is a genus of ankylosaurid dinosaur that lived in what is now Australia during the Late Cretaceous period. It was only about 3 meters long and weighed around 600 kg.
A genus of herbivorous dinosaur that lived in what is now Mongolia during the Late Cretaceous period. Minotaurasaurus was a member of the Saurolophidae family of hadrosaurid dinosaurs.
A long-necked herbivorous dinosaur that lived in what is now Portugal during the Late Jurassic period. Miragaia belonged to the stegosaur family of armored dinosaurs and had two rows of bony plates along its back.
A genus of dinosaur that lived in what is now Tanzania in the Late Cretaceous period. Mnyamawamtuka was a member of the titanosaur family of long-necked herbivorous dinosaurs.
Moabosaurus is a genus of sauropod dinosaur that lived in what is now Utah during the Early Cretaceous period. It was about 10 meters in length and weighed around 2.5 tons.
A small herbivorous dinosaur that lived in what is now China during the Late Jurassic period. Mochlodon was only about 1.8 meters long and weighed around 20 kg.
Mojoceratops is a genus of centrosaurine ceratopsian dinosaur that lived in what is now Canada during the Late Cretaceous period. It was about 2 meters long and had a distinctive, flamboyant frill on its head.
Mongolosaurus is a genus of herbivorous dinosaur that lived in what is now Mongolia during the Late Cretaceous period. It was about 10 meters in length and weighed around 5 tons.
A genus of stegosaurian dinosaur that lived in what is now Mongolia during the Late Jurassic period. Mongolostegus was a small, agile herbivore that was covered in bony plates for protection.
A genus of herbivorous dinosaur that lived in what is now China during the Late Cretaceous period. Monkonosaurus was a member of the hadrosaur family of duck-billed dinosaurs.
Monoclonius, meaning “one sprout”, is a genus of herbivorous dinosaur that lived in what is now North America during the Late Cretaceous period. It was a member of the ceratopsian family of horned dinosaurs.
A genus of carnivorous dinosaur that lived in what is now China during the Jurassic period. Monolophosaurus was a large theropod dinosaur that measured around 6 meters in length.
Mononykus, meaning “one claw”, is a genus of small theropod dinosaur that lived in what is now Mongolia during the Late Cretaceous period. It was notable for having only one functional claw on each forelimb.
Montanoceratops is a genus of ceratopsian dinosaur that lived in what is now Montana during the Late Cretaceous period. It was about 2 meters long and had a small, curved horn on its nose.
A genus of herbivorous dinosaur that lived in what is now Spain during the Late Cretaceous period. Morelladon was a member of the iguanodont family of ornithopod dinosaurs.
This carnivorous dinosaur was small in size, measuring only about 3 meters long and weighing around 100 kg. Its name means “the embodiment of doom,” describing its ferocious nature.
Morosaurus was a herbivorous dinosaur that lived during the Late Jurassic period. It was known for having a long neck and tail, along with a bulky body.
Morrosaurus, also known as “Frightful Lizard,” was a theropod dinosaur that lived during the Early Cretaceous period. It was characterized by its sharp claws and serrated teeth, which made it a skilled hunter.
Mosaiceratops was a small herbivorous dinosaur that lived during the Late Cretaceous period. It had a unique frill on its head, which likely served as a form of protection from predators.
This carnivorous dinosaur lived in Argentina during the Late Cretaceous period and was feared for its quick movements and sharp claws. It was named after the Latin word “murus,” meaning “wall,” due to the presence of a wall surrounding the excavation site where its fossils were found.
Mussaurus, which means “mouse lizard,” was a small herbivorous dinosaur that lived during the Late Triassic period. It is known for its small size and agility, which likely helped it evade predators.
Muttaburrasaurus was a large herbivorous dinosaur that lived during the Early Cretaceous period. Its name is derived from the location where its fossils were discovered, Muttaburra in Queensland, Australia.
Muyelensaurus was a long-necked herbivorous dinosaur that lived during the Late Cretaceous period. Its fossils have been discovered in Argentina, and it is believed to have coexisted with other dinosaur species, such as Argentinosaurus.
This armored dinosaur lived during the Late Jurassic period in what is now North America. It was characterized by its bony plates and spikes on its body, which served as a form of defense against predators.
And that’s our list of M dinosaurs.
Compiling this list of prehistorical wonders has been an exciting journey for me. From scouring through scientific journals to browsing dinosaur books, my efforts have been exhaustive, but fruitful. The result is a comprehensive list that highlights the diversity and enormity of these majestic beasts.
All in all, the world of dinosaurs has been a captivating realm of exploration and discovery for scientists and enthusiasts alike. From the towering heights of the Brachiosaurus to the ferocious teeth of the Tyrannosaurus Rex, these prehistoric creatures have captivated our imaginations for generations. With each new fossil discovery and scientific breakthrough, we gain a better understanding of the complex ecosystems and evolutionary processes that allowed these creatures to thrive for millions of years. Even as we continue to unearth new insights into the world of dinosaurs, we must always appreciate the incredible diversity and resilience of the creatures that once roamed the Earth.
Hope this post on dinosaur names beginning with M alphabet has been useful to you!