How these prehistoric animals compare
Baryonyx and Spinosaurus are both spinosaurids, but they belong to different subgroups, lived in different places and come from different parts of the Cretaceous.
Relatives within one family
Both genera belong to Spinosauridae, a family of theropods with long, crocodile-like snouts and conical teeth. Baryonyx is placed in the subfamily Baryonychinae, which is typified by finely serrated teeth, while Spinosaurus is placed in Spinosaurinae. The two names are often used together because they show the range of body forms inside one family.
Different times and places
Baryonyx is known from Early Cretaceous deposits in southern England. Spinosaurus comes from later, Late Cretaceous rocks in North Africa. Tens of millions of years and the distance between Europe and Africa separate the best-known fossils of the two genera.
Evidence for a fish-eating diet
The skull shape of spinosaurids suggests that fish formed part of the diet, and fish scales have been reported with Baryonyx remains. Spinosaurids also had other prey, so a fish-eating label is a simplification. Specific ranking or hunting scenarios are not established by the fossils.
Sources and specimen context: Baryonyx references · Spinosaurus references · Geological timeline
