**Therizinosaurus: The Scythe Lizard**
Therizinosaurus was a very large dinosaur that lived about 70 million years ago during the Late Cretaceous period in what is now Mongolia.
**What is Therizinosaurus?**
The name Therizinosaurus means “scythe lizard.” It is a member of a group of dinosaurs called therizinosaurs. These dinosaurs were known for their unique features, especially their massive claws.
**Discovery History**
The first remains of Therizinosaurus were found in the Gobi Desert in 1948 by a team from Mongolia. It was named and described by a Russian paleontologist named Evgeny Maleev in 1954. At first, the large claw bones were thought to belong to a giant turtle! However, over the years, more fossils were found, and scientists began to understand that it was indeed a dinosaur.
**Size and Anatomy**
Therizinosaurus was a giant dinosaur. It could grow around 30 to 33 feet long and stand about 13 to 16 feet tall. Weighing over 5 tons, it was one of the largest members of its family.
– It had a long neck and a large body, built to reach high vegetation for food.
– The most striking feature was its incredibly long claw bones, which could exceed 20 inches in length.
**Feeding Habits**
Therizinosaurus was likely a herbivore, meaning it ate plants. Scientists believe it could have used its long claws to grab leaves and branches from trees, much like how modern animals use their limbs to pull food closer.
With its long neck, it could reach higher branches without much effort. Its strong arms and claws were likely used to pull large clumps of foliage.
**Environment**
Therizinosaurus lived in the Nemegt Formation, which was a lush and wet environment filled with rivers and forests. The climate was temperate, with warm summers and cool winters. This area was home to many other dinosaurs, making it a vibrant ecosystem.
**Predators and Competition**
Despite its large size, Therizinosaurus still had to be cautious of predators like Tarbosaurus, a large meat-eating dinosaur. Its height and powerful claws may have helped it defend itself from these threats.
**Fun Facts**
– Therizinosaurus is famous for having the longest claws of any known land animal.
– Its unusual features make it a unique part of dinosaur history, illustrating how diverse dinosaur types could be.
In summary, Therizinosaurus was an enormous, herbivorous dinosaur with extraordinary claws, providing a glimpse into the fascinating diversity of life during the Late Cretaceous period.