There are different types of dinosaurs, and exploring them is an adventure of its own.
Far from being just scary animals, dinosaurs come in a variety of shapes and sizes.
This article will focus on the category of funny-looking dinosaur species. They qualify for this list due to their strange looks. Some don’t even look like typical dinosaurs.
Some weird dinosaurs include the Amargasaurus, Kosmoceratops, Suzhousaurus, Pegomastax, and Notronychus, among many others.
Here’s the list of the top 10 funny-looking dino species that have walked the planet.
These Weird Dinosaurs are the Funniest-Looking Species that Existed
1. Suzhousaurus
The Suzhousaurus is arguably the funniest-looking dinosaur, which is why it tops our list.
Some would even call it strange. It is a genus of large dinosaurs that lived during the Early Cretaceous period in China. Its name translates as “Suzhou lizard.”
At first glance, the Suzhousaurus appears like a big rat with a long neck. One might also compare it to a vulture if the latter was a terrestrial animal.
Its looks are definitely not what people have in mind when talking about dinosaurs. It might be confused for a prehistoric giant rodent instead.
Because of its body, it may have been the ancestor of the giant ground sloth.
2. Notronychus
The Notronychus and its close cousin (which we’ll be looking into next) are both deserving of this list due to their unusual traits.
This genus lived in what is now North America during the Late Cretaceous period. Its name translates as “slothful claw.”
Though not as famous as the cousin, the Notronychus would have made many stops in their track to stare.
It looks like a mutant lizard, complete with furry hair and arms extended like a zombie.
The Notronychus belongs to the same family as the Tyrannosaurus, but it is a herbivore.
3. Therizinosaurus
The famed cousin of the Notronychus, the Therizinosaurus is considered one of the most bizarre animals ever identified.
It was a genus that existed around 70 million years ago during the Late Cretaceous period in Asia. Its name translates as “scythe lizard.”
The Therizinosaurus has long, sparse feathers, a potbelly, a small skull, and a long neck, amongst others.
It looks like a sick, misshapen bird, but regardless it has gotten a decent amount of popularity.
4. Kosmoceratops
When people talk about dragons being linked to dinosaurs, the Kosmoceratops can serve as an example.
The genus lived in North America during the Late Cretaceous period, living around 76 to 75.9 million years. Its name translates as “ornate horned face.”
The Kosmoceratops is known for the jutting horns, as well as the flaps and frills.
It looks more like a dragon than a dinosaur, except without wings. The males are more elaborate for mating purposes.
It is said that the Kosmoceratops have this look because of their environment.
Related: Dinosaurs vs. Dragons: The Differences & Similarities
5. Amargasaurus
The Amargasaurus is a genus of sauropod dinosaurs that lived in what we now know as Argentina during the Early Cretaceous period.
Like many other dinosaur genus, it contains only one species, the Amargasaurus cazaui.
There has only been one skeleton found, but because it is almost complete, it has been enough to study the creature.
The Amargasaurus’s unique feature is the spines lined up on the neck and back which makes it look like a cross between a fish and a dinosaur.
The spines might have either supported a pound of flesh or for mating purposes.
6. Oryctodromeus
Next on our list of weirdest dinosaurs is the oryctodromeus, a genus of small dinosaurs that lived during the Late Cretaceous period, around 95 million years.
It lived in the area we now know as the United States of America. The Oryctodromeus name translates to “digging runner,” which points to its unique quality. It is the only dinosaur known to dig.
The Oryctodromeus looks built for burrowing, with its long legs and a long, pointy snout that it uses to navigate the underground.
It is similar to a badger, except that it looks like it would probably be what a tortoise without a shell looks like. It stayed underground to avoid predators.
7. Stygimoloch
The stygimoloch is a herbivorous dinosaur that lived during the Late Cretaceous period, around 68 to 65 million years ago.
The fossils were discovered in North America, which is probably where it lived. Its name translates as “horned demon from the pit of hell,” which is already weird.
The stygimoloch has a very thick skull roof. Added to the small forelimbs and long hindlimbs, this creature comes off looking odd.
8. Rhinorex
The time when the Rhinorex roamed the earth isn’t certain, but it most likely existed around 75 million years ago in the Late Cretaceous period. It lived in our modern-day North America.
The name “Rhinorex” translates to “The Nose King,” which is as funny as it is accurate.
The Rhinorex has a huge nose, which defines the shape of its face.
Various reasons have been suggested for the nose, including mating and communication with its peer. Its close relative, the Gryposaurus, also has a similar nose type.
9. Yutyrannus
The yutyrannus lived in what we know term as China, roaming the earth during the Early Cretaceous period.
There are currently three fossils of the Yutyrannus found, and all of them show good signs that this dinosaur was feathered.
The yutyrannus looks like a Tyrannosaurus with feathers, which makes one wonder if all tyrannosaurs—including the T-Rex—had feathers at some point.
10. Qianzhousaurus
Our final dinosaur is one with a name that may be funny looking, too, depending on who reads it.
A native of Asia during the Late Cretaceous period, this genus was around for long. Its name translates as “Qianzhou Lizard.”
The Qianzhousaurus looks like what would result if a Tyrannosaurus rex were to crossbreed with a tiger.
It is shaped like a T-Rex, but its stripes transform it into a tiger-shaped dinosaur.
Though it fits on the list of funny-looking animals, it would have been an exotic animal if it existed today.
Conclusion
Learning consists of breaking stereotypes, and with this list of weird dinosaurs, your view of these prehistoric creatures should have expanded.
Far from the ferocious creatures, there’s a lot of uniqueness amongst these folks, which makes them distinct.
Even the usual dinosaur types have their uniqueness.
