CretaceousCarnivoreSmall

Deinonychus

die-NON-ih-kus

"Terrible claw"

Overview

Deinonychus was a medium-sized dromaeosaurid whose discovery revolutionized paleontology. Its active, agile nature challenged the prevailing view of dinosaurs as sluggish, helping ignite the 'dinosaur renaissance' of the 1960s.

Vital Statistics

Length

3.4 m

Height

1 m

Weight

73 kg

Est. Speed

40 km/h

Discovered

1969

Named by

John Ostrom

Countries Discovered

United States

Fossil Locations

🦴

📍 Utah📍 Texas

Interesting Facts

Deinonychus inspired John Ostrom's theory that birds descended from dinosaurs.

Its sickle claw could rotate through an arc of over 100 degrees.

Fossil evidence suggests Deinonychus hunted in packs to bring down Tenontosaurus.

It was the real-life basis for the 'raptor' dinosaurs in Jurassic Park.

Closest Relatives

VelociraptorUtahraptorDromaeosaurusSaurornitholestes