Zapsalis is a type of dinosaur that lived during the Late Cretaceous period, around 75 million years ago.
It belongs to a group called theropods, which includes many carnivorous dinosaurs like the famous Velociraptor. Zapsalis is specifically classified as a dromaeosaurine theropod, which are known for their sharp claws and teeth.
The name “Zapsalis” comes from Greek words meaning “thorough” and “pair of scissors,” which might refer to its tooth shape. The specific name “Zapsalis abradens” means “abrading” in Latin, likely pointing to how its teeth were used.
This dinosaur was first described by the paleontologist Edward Drinker Cope in 1876. At first, he thought Zapsalis was part of another dinosaur called Laelaps. Over time, scientists found out that the teeth attributed to Zapsalis were quite different from those of Laelaps.
Most fossils of Zapsalis are just teeth. These teeth are flat on one side and have distinctive features like serrations. They may have been used for eating or possibly for preening feathers, similar to some modern birds.
Fossils of Zapsalis were found in the Judith River Formation in Montana, USA. This location has also yielded many other dinosaur fossils, including big predators and plant-eating dinosaurs.
Although many old names were reclassified as scientists learned more, Zapsalis itself remains a distinct genus. Researchers have debated about its classification, but recent studies reaffirmed it as a valid dinosaur.
In summary, Zapsalis is an interesting dinosaur known mainly from its teeth, and it provides insight into the rich diversity of life during the Late Cretaceous period.