Deinocheirus Facts
Pronunciation: DIE-no-KYE-rus
Name meaning: Horrible Hand
| Diet | Omnivore |
| Height | 5m |
| Length | 11m |
| Weight | 6 tonnes |
| Environment | Land |
| Era | Cretaceous |
| Period | Late Cretaceous |
| Type | Theropod |
| Location | Mongolia |
Deinocheirus was a massive theropod dinosaur that lived in what is now Mongolia around 70 million years ago during the Late Cretaceous period. Despite being a theropod, this extraordinary creature was unlike any predatory dinosaur previously known, standing up to 5 metres tall and measuring 11 metres in length. Its discovery became one of palaeontology's greatest mysteries when only a pair of enormous arms was found in 1965.
What made Deinocheirus truly remarkable was its unusual lifestyle for a theropod. Rather than being a fierce predator like most of its relatives, this giant was an omnivore that fed on plants, fish, and small animals. Its duck-like bill was perfect for filter-feeding in rivers and lakes, whilst its massive claws - each measuring over 25 centimetres long - were likely used for digging and gathering vegetation rather than catching prey.
The mystery of Deinocheirus remained unsolved for nearly 50 years until complete skeletons were discovered in 2014. These revealed a creature with a distinctive hump on its back, webbed feet for wading through water, and a long tail ending in a fan-like structure. Its body was adapted for a semi-aquatic lifestyle, making it one of the most unusual theropods ever discovered.
What made Deinocheirus distinctive?
Deinocheirus had enormous arms with claws over 25cm long, a distinctive hump on its back, and a duck-like bill. Its feet were webbed for wading through water, and it had a long tail ending in a fan-like structure.
Behaviour
Deinocheirus was likely semi-aquatic, spending much of its time wading through rivers and lakes filter-feeding like a giant duck. It used its massive claws for digging up plants and roots rather than hunting prey, and may have lived in small groups near water sources.
Deinocheirus FAQ
What did Deinocheirus eat?
Deinocheirus was an omnivore with a varied diet including plants, fish, and small animals. Its duck-like bill was adapted for filter-feeding in water, whilst its large claws helped it dig up roots and vegetation. This made it very unusual among theropod dinosaurs, most of which were pure carnivores.
How big was Deinocheirus?
Deinocheirus was enormous, standing about 5 metres tall at the hip and measuring 11 metres in total length. It weighed approximately 6 tonnes, making it one of the largest theropod dinosaurs ever discovered, though much bulkier and less agile than typical predators like T. rex.
When did Deinocheirus live?
Deinocheirus lived during the
Late Cretaceous period, approximately 70-72 million years ago. This was near the end of the age of dinosaurs, just a few million years before the mass extinction event that ended their reign.
Where was Deinocheirus found?
All Deinocheirus fossils have been discovered in Mongolia, specifically in the Nemegt Formation in the Gobi Desert. The first arms were found in 1965, with complete skeletons finally discovered in the same region in 2014.
How do you pronounce Deinocheirus?
Deinocheirus is pronounced 'DIE-no-KYE-rus'. The name breaks down into 'deino' (meaning terrible or horrible) and 'cheirus' (meaning hand), referring to its enormous clawed arms.
What does Deinocheirus mean?
Deinocheirus means 'horrible hand' in Greek. The name refers to the creature's most distinctive feature - its massive arms with enormous claws that were the only parts known to science for nearly 50 years after its discovery.
How fast could Deinocheirus run?
Deinocheirus was likely quite slow compared to other large theropods. Its bulky build, webbed feet adapted for wading, and semi-aquatic lifestyle suggest it was not built for speed on land, probably moving at a steady walking pace rather than running.
What type of dinosaur was Deinocheirus?
Deinocheirus was a theropod dinosaur, belonging to the family Deinocheiridae. However, it was highly unusual among theropods, being an omnivore with adaptations for semi-aquatic living rather than a typical land-based predator.
Was Deinocheirus related to birds?
Yes, as a theropod dinosaur, Deinocheirus was part of the group that includes the ancestors of modern birds. However, it was not closely related to the smaller theropods that eventually gave rise to birds, being instead a highly specialised giant with unique aquatic adaptations.
How many Deinocheirus fossils have been found?
Very few Deinocheirus specimens have been discovered. The original find in 1965 consisted mainly of arms and shoulder bones. Two more complete skeletons were described in 2014, bringing the total to just three known specimens of this mysterious giant.
