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"Only now do we know the true story- Megarachne was a giant prehistoric sea scorpion." |
Deinocheirus is one of the most spectacular and mysterious dinosaurs known. This creature had enormous arms, and fingers tipped with thick claws. These weapons would have slashed through other dinosaurs with ease, but some scientists think deinocheirus was a plant-eater that used it claws strictly as defensive weapons.
Beak Mystery: Deinocheirus had a toothless beak that was equipped with sharp edges. Scientists aren't sure whether the creature used it to clip through tough leaves or slice up prey.
Long Reach: This beast's arms were eight feet long and each of its three-fingered "hands" were capped with ten-inch claws. These deadly weapons would have slashed through any enemy that tried to attack deinocheirus.
Steak or Salad?[]
Paleontologists (dinosaur scientists) have long debated over what deinocheirus ate. Some say that the creature's beak is clear evidence that it was a herbivore (plant-eater). However, others claim that deincheirus was a vicious predator that used its long arms and ten-inch claws to slash into victims and tore pieces of meat from their bodies with its sharp beak. If more fossils are uncovered, the riddle could be solved.
Big Treehouse: Some experts think that deinocheirus might have lived in trees. Its claws would have helped it grip tree trunks, but most trees would have buckled under the dino's weight.
Speeder: Scientists speculate that deinocheirus' legs were long and muscular. Such a build would have enabled the creature to run at such great speeds that it might have been the speediest dinosaur ever, topping even gallimimus, which could hit speeds of 60 miles per hour!
Slash![]
- If deinocheirus were a plant-eater, it would have used its long arms to reach high branches. The immense beast bends thick branches down so it can use its sharp beak to strip it of leaves.
- During its meal, a predator sneaks up and tries to launch an ambush. The agile deinocheirus reacts quickly and turns toward its attacker. It lashes out quickly with its long arms and sharp claws, leaving deep wounds in its enemy.
Trading Card[]
Trivia[]
- As of 2020, the Deinocheirus is now considered an Ornithomimosaur, a family classification which also includes the Gallimimus and Struthiomimus. Like other Ornithomimids, it is now believed to have feathers. It has also been revealed since the card's printing that the dinosaur had a large hump on its back and was a semi-aquatic omnivore, not the fierce hunter proposed in certain parts of the text.
- The deinocheirus is featured in several Monster Mania cards:
- It is first featured in Fossil Finders on Monster Mania 42.
- The arm bones used in Fossil Finders are the same ones pictured on the back of the knowledge card.
- It is then used as part of one of the fake creatures in Find The Fakes on Monster Mania 44.
- It is first featured in Fossil Finders on Monster Mania 42.