Baryonyx

theropod · claw · river hunter · early cretaceous

Heavy Strong Claw. Baryonyx's name comes from Ancient Greek words meaning 'heavy' and 'claw' because it had an enormous curved claw on its first finger, much larger than other theropod dinosaurs.

Ancient River Dweller. This dinosaur lived during the Early Cretaceous period about 130 to 125 million years ago, making it one of the oldest known theropods.

English Discovery. The first complete skeleton was found in 1983 in a clay pit in Surrey, England, by an amateur fossil hunter named William J. Walker, which is why the dinosaur is called Baryonyx walkeri.

Crocodile Hunter. Scientists believe Baryonyx hunted fish in rivers and shallow waters, using its large claw to snatch prey from the water, much like a modern crocodile.

Super Complete Skeleton. The specimen discovered in England is one of the most complete theropod dinosaur skeletons ever found in the United Kingdom, giving paleontologists rare details about how this dinosaur lived.