Dilophosaurus was one of the earliest large predatory dinosaurs, living in what is now North America during the Early Jurassic, about 193 million years ago. The genus name means "two-crested lizard". It was smaller than some later theropods, about 7 meters (23 ft) in length, with a weight of about 400 kilograms (880 lb). It had a pair of plate-shaped crests on its skull, and the upper jaw had a gap below the nostril. The teeth were long, curved, and thin. The arms were powerful, and the hands had four fingers. Dilophosaurus was active and bipedal, and may have hunted large animals, though it could also have fed on smaller animals and fish. The function of the crests is unknown; they were too weak for battle, but may have been used in visual display. Dilophosaurus was featured in the movie Jurassic Park, in which it was given the fictional abilities to spit venom and expand a cowl on its neck. It has been designated as the state dinosaur of Connecticut. (Full article...)