How these prehistoric animals compare
Carnotaurus and Majungasaurus were Late Cretaceous abelisaurids from different Southern Hemisphere landmasses, with short skulls and short arms but different skull ornaments.
Cousins on separate landmasses
Both genera belong to Abelisauridae, a group of predators that thrived in the southern continents. Carnotaurus is known from Argentina in South America. Majungasaurus is known from Madagascar, where many specimens have been collected. They share a family but not a place.
Horns, crests and skulls
Carnotaurus is best known for two short horns above the eyes and a deep skull, preserved on a notably complete skeleton that includes skin impressions. Majungasaurus has a single small bump on the top of the skull. Both had very short forelimbs, a feature that is characteristic of the group.
Caution about behaviour
Bite marks on Majungasaurus bones have been interpreted as evidence that members of the genus fed on one another, but this interpretation applies to the specimens studied and does not describe the whole species. Claims about hunting or fighting in either genus should be treated as hypotheses, not facts shown by the fossils.
Sources and specimen context: Carnotaurus references · Majungasaurus references · Geological timeline
