Name:
Suzhousaurus (Greek for "Suzhou lizard"); pronounced soo-zhoo-SORE-us
Habitat:
Woodlands of Asia
Historical Period:
Early Cretaceous (125 million years ago)
Size and Weight:
About 20 feet long and 500 pounds
Diet:
Probably omnivorous
Distinguishing Characteristics:
Bipedal posture; long claws on hands
About Suzhousaurus:
Suzhousaurus is the latest in a continuing series of therizinosaur discoveries in Asia (typified by Therizinosaurus, these bizarre dinosaurs were characterized by their long, clawed fingers, bipedal stances, pot bellies, and general Big Bird-like appearance). Along with the similarly sized Nanshiungosaurus, Suzhousaurus was one of the earliest members of this strange breed, and there's some evidence that it may have been an exclusive herbivore (though it's also possible that it pursued an omnivorous diet, unlike most of its fellow, strictly carnivorous theropods).
