Anzu is a fascinating dinosaur that lived around 66 million years ago during the Late Cretaceous period. It was discovered in areas that are now North Dakota, South Dakota, and Montana in the United States.
The full name of this dinosaur is Anzu wyliei, and it was named in 2014. This dinosaur belongs to a group called caenagnathids, which are similar to modern birds.
Anzu was an important find because it was one of the first well-preserved examples of oviraptorosaurs from North America. Before its discovery, scientists only had a few bones to study, so they did not know much about these creatures. Anzu helped scientists understand how this type of dinosaur looked and how it was related to other kinds.
The story of Anzu began in 1998 when a fossil hunter named Fred Nuss found two partial skeletons in South Dakota. Over the years, more bones were found, and researchers realized they belonged to the same dinosaur. Together, they formed a skeleton that was mostly complete.
The nickname for Anzu, “chicken from hell,” comes from its appearance. It had a big crest on its head, a beak without teeth, long arms with large claws, and long legs. Anzu was about 11 to 12 feet long and weighed between 440 to 660 pounds, making it one of the largest oviraptorosaurs in North America.
Anzu’s skull had a crescent-shaped crest, and its lower jaw was unique compared to similar dinosaurs. Its fossils were discovered in ancient mudstone rock, which suggests it lived in floodplain areas, unlike related dinosaurs that lived in drier environments.
Anzu likely had a mixed diet, eating both plants and small animals thanks to its beak. It’s not a true bird, but it had several bird-like features. This blending of characteristics is an example of convergent evolution, where different species develop similar traits in response to their environment.
The large crest on Anzu’s head is particularly interesting. Scientists think it may have been used for attracting mates, similar to how some modern birds use their bright feathers or features.
Anzu wyliei went extinct during the mass extinction event that wiped out all non-avian dinosaurs around 66 million years ago. Studying this dinosaur helps scientists learn more about the evolution of birds and the diversity of life that existed during the time of the dinosaurs.