| Deinonychus was one of the most exciting dinosaurs to be discoverd in the 1960 s.It was respresented by several well-preserved skeletons from a site in Southern Montana, from which detailed restorations were done.Deinonychus was 10 to 13 ft. (3 to 4m) long-larger then its relatives,Dromaesaurus and Velociraptor.It had a lightly built skulland its jaws were armed with large backward -curving, flesh-eating teeth.De�nonychus had strong, grasping fingers on its hands. Each of the three fingers on each hand was armed with a heavy claw. and there were powerful muscles to allow it to slash at its prey.Its most remarkable feature, however, was the large, curved, scythe-like claw on the second toe of the foot. The other toes had shorter claws.When Deinonychus ran, it flickled the big claw back and placed shorthertoes on the ground. Deninoychus used its big claw to attack other dinosaurs .It would have balanced on one foot in order to swing the claw to open the belly of its prey. Its tail was stiffened by long rods of bone. |
