Anomalipes is a type of dinosaur that lived during the Late Cretaceous period, which was around 77.3 to 73.5 million years ago.
This dinosaur is part of a group called oviraptorosaurs, which are known for their unique characteristics. Anomalipes is special because it has an unusual foot shape.
The name “Anomalipes” comes from two words: one meaning “strange” and the other meaning “foot.” The specific type of Anomalipes is called Anomalipes zhaoi and is known from a collection of bones found in China.
The discovery of Anomalipes happened at a site where another dinosaur, Shantungosaurus, had also been found. The important bones that helped scientists recognize this dinosaur include parts of its leg and foot.
These bones are currently kept in a museum in Zhucheng, Shandong, China. The name “zhaoi” in its full name honors a paleontologist named Zhao Xijin.
Anomalipes gives us valuable insight into the diversity of dinosaurs that once roamed the Earth millions of years ago.