Albertosaurus << al BUR tuh sawr uhs >> was one of the largest meat-eating dinosaurs. It grew approximately 25 to 30 feet (7.6 to 9.1 meters) long, stood about 12 feet (3.7 meters) tall at the hips, and weighed between 2 and 3 tons (1.8 and 2.7 metric tons). Albertosaurus lived about 70 million years ago, near the end of the Cretaceous Period. It inhabited what is now western Canada and the western United States. The dinosaur’s name means Alberta lizard. It got the name because its remains were first unearthed in Canada’s Alberta province. 
Albertosaurus resembled its distant relative Tyrannosaurus rex. It had a huge head and walked on two long, powerful hind legs. Enormous claws grew from the three toes on each foot. The animal’s small forelimbs ended in two-fingered hands. Its long tail provided balance and agility for its massive body and head. The dinosaur probably could run quickly for short distances when pursuing prey.
Albertosaurus ate plant-eating dinosaurs. Its huge toe claws and curved, saw-edged teeth helped it tear apart prey. Because its teeth were not designed for chewing, Albertosaurus probably swallowed its food in large chunks. Scientists think Albertosaurus ate prey that it killed as well as animals that it found already dead.
