Name:
Baryonyx (Greek for "heavy claw"); pronounced BAH-ree-ON-ix
Habitat:
Riverbanks of Western Europe
Historical Period:
Early Cretaceous (125 million years ago)
Size and Weight:
About 30 feet long and 2 tons
Diet:
Fish
Distinguishing Characteristics:
Large, curved claws on front legs; long, narrow skull
About Baryonyx:
By piecing together the distinctive features of Baryonyx's anatomy--such as its large front claws, its long, narrow skull, and its well-muscled arms--paleontologists have come to the conclusion that this dinosaur prowled the riverbanks of the early Cretaceous, spearing passing fish with its claws (much in the style of a modern bear).
In a way, Baryonyx is a very recent addition to the dinosaur family. The preserved skeleton of this dinosaur wasn't discovered until 1983, by an amateur fossil hunter in England. As is the case with many fossils, it's unclear from the remains of Baryonyx just how large this dinosaur was: since the fossils may be of juveniles, it's possible that Baryonyx grew to larger sizes than previously thought.
