http://www.news.com.au/couriermail/story/0,23739,25726988-952,00.html
A VICIOUS meat-eating dinosaur, bigger, faster and more terrifying than velociraptor made famous in Jurassic Park, once roamed the plains of Queensland.
The bones of Australovenator Wintonensis, nicknamed “Banjo” by paleantologists, are among the remains of three new species found in the outback near Winton.
Fossilised bones of two new species of giant plant-eating sauropods, nicknamed “Matilda” and “Clancy” were also found on the dig, Premier Anna Bligh announced today.
The meat-eating Banjo has been dubbed Australia’s answer to the feared Velociraptor.
“The cheetah of his time, Banjo was light and agile,” said Queensland Museum paleantologist Scott Hocknull, who is among the scientists being credited with the discoveries.
“He could run down most prey with ease over open ground. His most distinguishing feature was three large slashing claws on each hand. Unlike some theropods that have small arms (think T. rex), Banjo was different; his arms were a primary weapon.
“He’s Australia’s answer to velociraptor, but many times bigger and more terrifying.”
Palaeontologists say that the 20-tonne Diamantinasaurus matildae (Matilda), which stood 4m and was up to 20m long, was a solid and robust animal, filling a niche similar to the hippopotamus today.
The second new species, the 10-tonne Wintonotitan wattsi (Clancy) represented a tall animal that may have been Australia’s prehistoric answer to the giraffe.
“These discoveries are a major breakthrough in the scientific understanding of prehistoric life in Australia, and the potential for educational tourism through their permanent display at the Australian Age of Dinosaurs Museum of Natural History in Winton, is enormous,” said the Premier.
The discovery _ at the site of a preshistoric billabong dating back 95 million years - was announced this morning at Winton, where the bones will go on display at the new Australian Age of Dinosaurs Museum of Natural History.
Apparently the velociraptor can suck it o.o