Deino

Extinct Deinonychus was a dromaeosaurid theropod dinosaur (a group more commonly known as "raptors") that lived in North American during the early Cretaceous Period (~115-108 million years ago). They were closely related to the Velociraptor, and are believed to have been sleek, agile predators that grew to more than 3 meters long. The genus name refers to the unusually large, sickle-shaped talon on the second toe of each hind foot, while the species epithet refers to the speculation that the elongated, stiffened tail could be used to help with balance. Current evidence suggests that Deinonychus was probably covered in feathers.

Fun Fact: The description of this dinosaur in 1969 by Ostrom (and later, the illustration by Bakker seen below) is considered the most important paleontological discovery in the mid-20th century. This is one of the first times that dinosaurs were described as fast moving and agile, rather than the slow, lumbering animals that had been envisioned previously, and transformed the way that dinosaurs have been perceived ever since. The ensuing "Dinosaur Renaissance" includes speculation that some dinosaurs may have been endothermic ("warm blooded") and closely related to birds.