Page 126 - The Dinosaur Book and Other Wonders of the Prehistoric World (DK-Smithsonian)
P. 126

Sharp claws                                                                     The scythelike claw




                                                                                           would have been used for
                                                                                           cutting through vegetation
                                                                                           and self-defense.
       The age of dinosaurs   Therizinosaurus hand claw














                                                              Baryonyx thumb claw

























                         Allosaurus hand claw









                                                                                               Baryonyx
                                                                                            means “heavy
                                                                                          claw,” which refers
                                                                                           to the curved
                                                                         Sharp claws
                                                                         gave a secure       claw on its
                                                                         grip on prey.       index finger.




           Strong claws were essential tools for most          foot claws that gave them the grip needed
           dinosaurs. Like many hunters, Allosaurus and        for running, and some of the smaller, birdlike
           Baryonyx used the claws on their forelimbs to       hunters may have used their claws to climb
           seize prey, while Deinonychus had foot claws        trees. Gigantic four-footed plant-eaters such
           that were specialized for pinning prey to the       as Apatosaurus had stout claws that helped
    124
    124    ground. Most predators had strong but sharp         support their colossal weight, but they also may




   US_124-125_Sharp_claws.indd   124                                                                             26/04/18   3:30 PM
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