**Talos sampsoni: An Extinct Dinosaur**
**Basic Information**
Talos sampsoni was a type of dinosaur that lived around 76 million years ago during the Late Cretaceous period. This dinosaur was found in what is now Utah, USA. It belonged to a group of dinosaurs called theropods, which were bird-like and mostly carnivorous.
**Discovery**
The first known remains of Talos sampsoni were discovered in 2008. The fossils were collected during a project by the University of Utah and were found in the Kaiparowits Formation. The specific fossils include parts of the back legs, pelvis, and some vertebrae.
The name “Talos” is inspired by a giant bronze figure from Greek mythology, reflecting its sharp claws. The species name “sampsoni” honors a well-known paleontologist named Dr. Scott D. Sampson.
**Description**
Talos sampsoni was about 2 meters long, which is about the length of a small car. It weighed approximately 38 kilograms. Like other troodontids, it had unique features in its skull, including closely spaced teeth. Talos also had special claws on its feet that helped it catch prey.
**Habitat**
Talos lived in a wet and humid environment, close to an ancient sea that split North America into two land masses. The landscape included swampy areas, lakes, and rivers, home to a variety of plants and animals.
**Other Animals of the Time**
Talos shared its habitat with many other dinosaurs. It lived alongside:
– Dromaeosaurids, also known as raptors
– Ornithomimids like Ornithomimus
– Tyrannosaurids like Teratophoneus
– Armored dinosaurs such as Akainacephalus
– Hadrosaurs like Parasaurolophus
– Ceratopsians like Utahceratops and Kosmoceratops
In addition to dinosaurs, Talos coexisted with many other creatures like sharks, turtles, frogs, and early mammals.
**Conclusion**
Talos sampsoni is an interesting part of dinosaur history, showcasing how diverse and unique these creatures were. Its discovery helps us understand the environment and the types of species that lived millions of years ago.