Kryptops

The “Hidden Face” Revealed by its Scientific Name

The greatest characteristic of Kryptops lies in its head structure, which is also the origin of its scientific name.
The formal scientific name “Kryptops palaios” means “old hidden face” in Greek.

Why “Hidden Face”?

Analysis of the skull revealed a high possibility that the area around its face was covered with hard “keratinous tissue.”
This is presumed to have had a texture similar to the beaks of modern birds or the faces of condors. Because the bare skin was hidden beneath this keratin, it was given the unique name “Hidden Face.”

Taxonomically, it is considered a primitive species of the “Abelisaurids,” a group that flourished in the Southern Hemisphere.

The Giant Scavenger Theory

Why was it necessary to cover its face with hard keratin?
The reason is closely related to its diet.
In modern paleontology, it is considered highly likely that Kryptops was a “scavenger”—a dinosaur that scavenged dead meat.

The three physical characteristics that form the basis for this theory are as follows:

Uselessly Short Arms

The extremely short arms peculiar to Abelisaurids were unsuitable for catching or holding down prey.

Face as a “Mask”

It is thought that the keratin-covered face played a hygienic role (similar to a vulture) to prevent the bare skin from becoming fouled with blood and internal organs when sticking its head into the carcasses of large dinosaurs to devour meat.

Spare Teeth

“Spare teeth” were found remaining inside the upper jaw.
This suggests that its teeth frequently fell out due to processing hard meat and bones from carcasses and were replaced one after another.

In addition to these features, its athletic ability to catch fleeing prey appears insufficient. Thus, the theory that it was a giant scavenger wandering in search of carcasses, rather than a hunter hunting on its own, is gaining prominence.

“Niche Partitioning” with Rivals and Survival Strategy

Possibility of Hunting

Of course, being a scavenger does not mean it only ate dead meat.
Like modern hyenas, it may have been an “opportunistic predator” that attacked slow-moving prey or performed ambush attacks if the opportunity arose.

“Habitat Partitioning” in a Fierce Battleground

At that time, powerful rivals existed in North Africa.

Carcharodontosaurids (such as Eocarcharia)

Active hunters that hunted live prey with sharp teeth.

Spinosaurids (such as Suchomimus)

Fish-eaters that preyed on fish at the water’s edge.

If Kryptops had targeted the same prey as them, it likely would have lost the competition for survival.
However, by narrowing its target to “carcasses” and “slow-moving prey,” Kryptops skillfully performed “niche partitioning” (dietary segregation) and survived by establishing a unique position.

Shaky Classification: The Possibility of a “Chimera Fossil”

Finally, there is a discussion that cannot be avoided when talking about Kryptops.
In a 2012 study, it was pointed out that “bones of Carcharodontosauridae (possibly Eocarcharia) might be mixed in with the bones identified as Kryptops.”

If this is true, the image of Kryptops we know is a “chimera (mixed skeleton)” combining parts from multiple dinosaurs, and its ecology and reconstruction may need correction.
This dinosaur with a “Hidden Face” still holds many mysteries regarding its true identity.