The Giant Dinosaur That Was Missing a Body
PBS Eons・2 minutes read
Paleontologist Pascal Godefroit identified stolen dinosaur bones in France in 2011, which belonged to the large-bodied and unique dinosaur Deinocheirus, known for its enormous arms. Fossils revealed insights into Deinocheirus' anatomy, diet, and unique adaptations, indicating evolution to thrive in its Cretaceous floodplain habitat.
Insights
- Pascal Godefroit discovered stolen dinosaur bones in France in 2011, identifying them as belonging to Deinocheirus, a large-bodied dinosaur with distinctive hand bones resembling a mysterious dino discovered in 1965.
- Deinocheirus, likely an ornithomimosaur, was toothless, had huge eye sockets, was omnivorous, exceptionally large at 11.5 meters, and had unique features like a broad beak, sail-like structure on its back, and hoof-like toes, possibly for aquatic foraging, showcasing its evolution to thrive in the Cretaceous floodplain habitat.
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Recent questions
What did Pascal Godefroit discover in France in 2011?
Stolen dinosaur bones
What group did Deinocheirus likely belong to?
Ornithomimosaurs
How long was Deinocheirus estimated to be?
About 11.5 meters
What were some unique features of Deinocheirus?
Sail-like structure, broad beak, hoof-like toes
What insights did fossils from the Gobi Desert provide about Deinocheirus?
Anatomy and diet
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Summary
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"Deinocheirus: Giant Dinosaur with Unique Adaptations"
- Pascal Godefroit, a paleontologist, identified stolen dinosaur bones in France in 2011.
- The bones belonged to a large-bodied dinosaur with distinctive hand bones resembling a mysterious dino discovered in 1965.
- The newfound dinosaur, Deinocheirus, was known for its enormous arms but lacked other skeletal parts.
- Deinocheirus was likely an ornithomimosaur, a group of beaked theropods with long arms and legs.
- Ornithomimosaurs were toothless, had huge eye sockets, and were likely omnivorous.
- Deinocheirus was exceptionally large, with a maximum length of about 11.5 meters, and had a unique appearance.
- Fossils from different sites in the Gobi Desert provided insights into Deinocheirus' anatomy and diet.
- Deinocheirus had a broad beak, a sail-like structure on its back, and hoof-like toes, possibly for aquatic foraging.
- The sail's purpose remains debated, with theories ranging from temperature regulation to display.
- Deinocheirus' unique adaptations, like its size and beak, suggest it evolved to thrive in its Cretaceous floodplain habitat.
