Deinonychus was a predatory dinosaur that lived through the Early Cretaceous Interval. Its identify, which implies “horrible claw”, refers back to the massive, sickle-shaped claws on every hind foot.
The “Velociraptors” depicted in Jurassic Park had been really modelled on Deinonychus, slightly than the true Velociraptor, which was considerably smaller.
Learn on to seek out out extra concerning the “true” hero of Jurassic Park…
Deinonychus Information
- Sort of Dinosaur: Theropod
- Food regimen: Carnivore
- Continent(s) Discovered: North America (particularly in the USA, in states like Montana, Wyoming, and Oklahoma)
- Size: Roughly 3.4 meters (11 toes)
- Top: Roughly 0.9 meters (3 toes) on the hips
- Weight: Roughly 70 kilograms (154 kilos)
- Interval: Early Cretaceous Interval (about 115 to 108 million years in the past)
What Did Deinonychus Look Like?
Deinonychus was a comparatively small however formidable theropod dinosaur identified for its agile construct and fearsome look.
It measured roughly 3.4 meters (11 toes) in size, stood about 0.9 meters (3 toes) tall on the hips, and weighed round 70 kilograms (154 kilos).
Deinonychus had a modern, bird-like physique with an extended, stiff tail that offered stability. Its most distinctive characteristic was the big, sickle-shaped claw on every hind foot, which was doubtless used for looking and slashing prey.
This Cretaceous predator had a comparatively massive cranium geared up with round 70 sharp tooth, and-like most different theropod dinosaurs–its forelimbs had been adorned with three-fingered arms able to greedy.
It’s doubtless that Deinonychus had feathers, though there is no such thing as a direct fossil proof for this. The closely-related dinosaurs Velociraptor and Microraptor are each identified to have feathers.
Deinonychus’s look suggests it was a swift and lethal predator, counting on pace and agility to catch its prey.
The outline of Deinonychus as a fast-moving, agile animal by paleontologist John Ostrom led to a change within the public notion of dinosaurs, which had beforehand been considered gradual, lumbering animals.
What Does The Title Deinonychus Imply?
The identify “Deinonychus” comes from the Greek phrases “deinos,” which means “horrible,” and “onyx,” which means “claw.”, and interprets to “horrible claw”. The identify is a reference to the dinosaur’s most distinctive characteristic: the big, sickle-shaped claw on every of its hind toes.
What Sort Of Dinosaur Was Deinonychus?
Deinonychus was a theropod dinosaur. Theropods are a bunch of bipedal saurischian dinosaurs which are primarily characterised by their hole bones and three-toed limbs.
Nearly all of this group (together with Deinonychus) are carnivorous, however some omnivorous and herbivorous theropods are identified.
You could find out extra concerning the various kinds of dinosaur on this web page: Sorts Of Dinosaurs
Deinonychus In Jurassic Park
Within the film “Jurassic Park,” the dinosaurs known as “Velociraptors” are literally modeled on Deinonychus. In actual life, Velociraptor was considerably smaller and fewer strong than these depicted within the movie.
Michael Crichton, the creator of the novel on which the film relies, is believed to have used the identify Velociraptor for dramatic causes, and the filmmakers adopted go well with.
The cinematic “Velociraptors” are depicted as being about 1.8 meters (6 toes) tall and 4.6 meters (15 toes) lengthy, which is truth is considerably larger than the estimated dimension of Deinonychus.
The place Did Deinonychus Reside?
Deinonychus lived in what’s now the USA, with fossils having been present in Montana, Wyoming, and Oklahoma
Who Found Deinonychus?
The primary Deinonychus fossils had been found in Montana by Barnum Brown in 1931. Paleontologist John H. Ostrom used these and specimens he had discovered to explain and identify Deinonychus in 1969.
Deinonychus was used to problem the once-prevailing view of dinosaurs as sluggish, cold-blooded reptiles, as a substitute suggesting that they had been extra dynamic and probably warm-blooded creatures.
When Did Deinonychus Reside?
Deinonychus lived through the Early Cretaceous Interval, roughly 115 to 108 million years in the past.
What Dinosaurs And Different Animals Did Deinonychus Reside With?
Different dinosaurs Deinonychus might have lived alongside within the Early Cretaceous Interval of what’s now North America embrace:
- Tenontosaurus: A big herbivorous dinosaur that was doubtless one of many main prey species for Deinonychus. Fossil proof exhibits that Tenontosaurus bones typically bear the marks of Deinonychus tooth and claws.
- Sauropelta: An armored dinosaur identified for its physique lined with bony plates and spikes, offering safety towards predators like Deinonychus.
- Microvenator: A smaller theropod dinosaur that may have competed with Deinonychus for meals or occupied totally different ecological niches.
- Acrocanthosaurus: A a lot bigger theropod, which was a high predator in the identical areas, doubtlessly resulting in occasional competitors with Deinonychus.
Specimens of Deinonychus and all the above dinosaurs have been present in rocks of the Cloverly Formation, which lies within the western United States.
Along with dinosaurs, Deinonychus would have shared its setting with numerous different animals, together with early mammals, lizards, turtles, and crocodilians.
