CretaceousHerbivoreGiant
Therizinosaurus
THER-ih-ZIN-oh-SORE-us
"Scythe lizard"
Overview
Therizinosaurus was one of the most bizarre theropods — a giant, long-necked, pot-bellied dinosaur with the longest claws of any known animal. Despite being a theropod, it was a plant-eater, representing an extraordinary evolutionary divergence.
Vital Statistics
Length
10 m
Height
4 m
Weight
5 t
Est. Speed
15 km/h
Discovered
1954
Named by
Evgeny Maleev
Countries Discovered
MongoliaChina
Fossil Locations
Leaflet © OpenStreetMap
📍 Nemegt Formation, Mongolia
Interesting Facts
Its claws could reach up to one meter in length, the longest of any animal ever.
Therizinosaurus was a plant-eating theropod, a bizarre evolutionary twist.
It had a long neck, wide hips, and a massive body unlike typical predators.
Its claws were likely used to strip vegetation and for defense, not for hunting.
Closest Relatives
DeinocheirusSegnosaurusErlikosaurusNothronychus