Xenovenator fossil map
Where fossils of Xenovenator have been found, shown on the Earth as it looked about 75 million years ago and on today’s map.
Dots are fossil collections recorded in the Paleobiology Database. The “then” view moves today’s fossil sites back to their positions 75 million years ago (the time slice nearest the median age of the fossils) using the Merdith et al. (2021) plate model; positions are approximate. Open on the timeline map →
| Group | Theropods |
|---|---|
| Lived | 83.6–72.2 million years ago (Campanian) |
| Periods | Cretaceous |
| Family | Troodontidae |
| Named by | Rivera-Sylva et al. 2026 |
| Fossil records | 5 occurrences at 4 locations (PBDB) |
| Found in | United States, Mexico |
| Rock formations | Kirtland, Cerro del Pueblo |
About Xenovenator
Xenovenator (lit. 'strange hunter') is an extinct genus of troodontid theropod dinosaurs known from the Late Cretaceous (Campanian age) of North America. The type species of the genus, Xenovenator espinosai, is known from fragmentary skull bones found in the Cerro del Pueblo Formation of Mexico. It is characterized by an unusually expanded and rugose skull roof, somewhat comparable to that seen in pachycephalosaurs. This may imply Xenovenator individuals engaged in combat with other members of their species, a behavior for which adaptations had not been previously observed in non-avian paravians.
"Saurornitholestes" robustus, known from the Kirtland Formation of New Mexico, United States, was tentatively placed in this genus by Rivera-Sylva and colleagues in their 2026 description of Xenovenator, although it lacks the characteristic domed skull roof of X. espinosai. Later that year, Jasinski & Sullivan placed X.? robustus in a new genus, Dinevenator.
Text in “About” is quoted from the Wikipedia article Xenovenator (revision 1367510393), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0; introduction excerpted verbatim, formatting removed. Ages, family, authority and fossil records: Paleobiology Database, accessed 23 October 2026. Ages are those of the rock layers the fossils were found in. Wikidata: Q137738132.
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