Xixianykus is a type of dinosaur that lived during the Late Cretaceous period, around 83 million years ago, in what is now China.
It belongs to a group of dinosaurs called theropods, specifically known as alvarezsaurids. These dinosaurs were generally small and fast.
Discovery
The first fossil of Xixianykus was found in a location called the Majiacun Formation in Henan Province, China. This fossil contained parts of its skeleton, except for the skull. The remains included some of its hind legs, pelvis, and spine.
Scientists named Xixianykus in 2010, with the name coming from “Xixia County” and the Greek word for claw, “onyx.” The specific name, X. zhangi, honors a scientist named Zhang Xinglao.
Description
Xixianykus was quite small, measuring about 50 centimeters long and 20 centimeters tall. It likely weighed around 0.74 kilograms, making it one of the smallest known dinosaurs, excluding birds.
This dinosaur had features that suggested it could run quickly. It had long legs and a special foot structure that helped it run fast. It probably had feathers on its body and small arms with one large claw on each hand. Its nose was tubular, which might have helped it eat insects or other small creatures.
While some experts thought Xixianykus might have been a young dinosaur, studies showed it was actually an adult. This tells us more about its unique features and way of life.