Nicknamed "Claws" for its massive 12-inch hand spikes, Baryonyx was one of the few dinosaurs that ate fish.
"Claws" is the nickname given to Baryonyx, one of the "newest" dinosaurs. Unearthed in the early 1980s in England, Baryonyx was the most complete example of a theropod dinosaur found in Great Britain in the 20th Century. Scientists speculate that this unusual-looking dinosaur may have used its powerful arms, heavy claws, and crocodile jaws to snag fish for dinner.
Two stout legs were strong enough to carry Baryonyx's weight, but its arms were more robust than those usually found on meat-eaters. Perhaps it used both its legs and arms when standing still or walking slowly, and used only two legs when moving quickly.
While dinosaurs like Allosaurus and Tyrannosaurus rex had short, deep heads, Baryonyx's head was quite different. It was long and flat with a small lump on top. A long, very fragile-looking lower jaw gave it an unusual, puzzling shape.
As its nickname suggests, Baryonyx is most famous for its bizarre clawed hands.
This shows scientists' best guess as to what the complete skeleton of Baryonyx looked like.
Putting a dinosaur together from fossil bones is a lot like putting together a jigsaw puzzle in which some of the pieces are missing.
From its nose to the tip of its tail, Baryonyx was more than thirty feet long. That's about as long as two automobiles parked end-to-end. Its curved neck and muscular body were similar to other large meat-eaters. A few vertebrae and lower spines from the tail are all we have to show that the tail was used to balance the body.
Thirty-two sharp, saw-edged teeth lined each side of Baryonyx's lower jaw, and there were possibly as many in the upper jaw. The number of teeth and the curiously curved line of Baryonyx's mouth are very similar to those of a crocodile, another reptile well designed for fishing.
Baryonyx's legs were built like pillars to support its weight. Walking on two legs, Baryonyx would have stood almost thirteen and a half feet tall. Like other meat-eating dinosaurs, it was probably able to break into a run over short distances.
Baryonyx is shown here as it looked after it died. It sank to the bottom of a lake, where it gradually became fossilized. Such a realistic model shows how the skills of the scientist and model-makers can be brought together to great effect. The way that the dinosaur was lying was worked out from the position in which the bones were found.
The claw bone was the first fossil of Baryonyx to be found. It was discovered by an amateur collector named Bill Walker, and although the dinosaur is popularly known as "Claws," its full name is Baryonyx walkeri in honor of its discoverer.
Baryonyx was unusual among dinosaurs—it was a fish-eater! Experts believe this because Baryonyx had a head like a fish-eating crocodile, and scales of the fish Lepidotes were found in its rib cage. Baryonyx may have fished, as shown here, watching for telltale ripples and bubbles, ready to harpoon a passing fish with its long, curved claws.
Source: Microsoft Dinosaurs (1993) CD-ROM. Text liberated from original screen art; images & audio restored from disc. Original media is Microsoft/supplier copyright — non-commercial educational preservation. Credits & Acknowledgements