In the conifer-rich floodplains of what is now the Morrison Formation in western North America, 150 million years ago, long before the reign of the Tyrant Lizard King, the landscape stretched wide and wild. This was a world of river valleys, fern prairies, and groves of towering conifer trees, interspersed with braided streams and seasonal lakes. Dinosaurs of all sizes thrived here, herbivores in herds, and predators in pursuit. But occasionally, there are mysterious clearings, like this one. Who is that? It’s the work of a three-tonne, 16-foot-tall Allosaurus, a male.

This Allosaurus, named Fragor roamed the Jurassic woodlands of North America, a region teeming with massive sauropods like Apatosaurus and Camarasaurus, alongside stegosaurs and ornithopods. Fragor was a formidable predator, reaching over 30 feet in length and weighing more than three tonnes. With a massive skull full of sharp, serrated teeth and a strong, flexible neck, Allosaurus was well adapted to hunting large, sometimes dangerous prey. He could deliver slashing bites using his jaws like a hatchet, ideal for tearing flesh from bone. His role as an apex predator was uncontested in this land, though competition with other theropods like Ceratosaurus and Torvosaurus was fierce.

But even the mighty Allosaurus had a purpose beyond the hunt. Deep in the floodplain forest, there was a clearing, unnatural, distinct, and carefully formed. It was here the Allosaurus had chosen to establish his domain. Over weeks, perhaps months, he had used his strength to shove aside saplings and trample undergrowth, creating a secluded space amidst the trees. The clearing was rimmed with dense vegetation, offering both concealment and protection from rival predators. At its heart was a shallow pond, fed by a nearby stream that meandered through the fern-carpeted forest floor. This pond was his water source, vital in a dry season when herds migrated and opportunities for ambush became rare. It was here he waited, patient, silent, as stegosaur herds or juvenile sauropods might one day pass too close. But not today.