Deinonychus | 3D Dinopedia

Deinonychus

Period of life:

115-109 mya

Period:

Cretaceous period

Habitat:

Floodplains

Taxonomy:

Theropods

Height:

0.9 m

Countries:

Cretaceous period Deinonychus | 3D Dinopedia

Deinonychus (115-109 mya)

Deinonychus belongs to the genus of predatory theropod dinosaurs from the family Dromaeosauridae. The dinosaur's name means "Terrible Claw" and refers to the unusually large, sickle-shaped talon on the second toe of each hind foot.

Deinonychus was far from the largest dinosaur, he is considered to be one of the most ferocious hunters of that time. In size, it can be compared with a wolf, only the head of this lizard was much larger. Deinonychus was armed with sharp claws and curved teeth similar to those of a modern leopard. He moved on two legs and was a very agile predator, able to catch up with almost any victim. There were more than 70 teeth in the mouth of the predator. The deinonychus had a very strong grip, he tormented his victim hard until it lost strength to resist. The grip was made due to long and strong forelimbs with three curved claws. Deinonychus was a keen hunter and could spot prey from a great distance. Its fossil were found in Lower Cretaceous deposits in several US states and described by scientists in the late 1960s - early 1970s. Research of Deinonychus conducted by paleontologist John Ostrom in the late 1960s, revolutionized scientists' ideas about dinosaurs and led to a revival of interest in the topic of dinosaur studies.

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