Discovery of Two-Clawed Dinosaur Intrigues Scientists

Researchers have identified a new and rare species of dinosaur with two claws in the Gobi Desert, Mongolia. Named Duonychus tsogtbaatari, this species stands out for having unique features within the therizinosaur group—dinosaurs that stood on their hind legs and generally had three claws.

Of medium size, the Duonychus tsogtbaatari is estimated to have weighed around 260 kg. Its long, curved, and extremely robust claws suggest they were effective for grasping vegetation. Additionally, researchers believe these structures could also have been used for display, digging, or even as defensive weapons.

This peculiar dinosaur is featured in the movie Jurassic World – Dominion, from the famous Jurassic Park series. Professor Darla Zelenitsky, from the University of Calgary and one of the study’s authors, commented that the animal had an unusual and intriguing appearance.

The fossil was found in the Bayanshiree Formation, located in the Gobi Desert, a region known for its rich collection of fossils from the Late Cretaceous period, which occurred between 100.5 and 66 million years ago. UNESCO recognizes the Gobi Desert as the largest reservoir of dinosaur fossils in the world, especially valuable for studies about the final era of these prehistoric giants.

According to researchers, the claws of Duonychus tsogtbaatari measured nearly 30 centimeters in length, significantly exceeding the size of the underlying bone. Another remarkable finding is that this specimen preserved the first keratin sheath ever recorded in a therizinosaur—a structure similar to human fingernails, which helped with protection, locomotion, or food capture.

Although the most well-known two-clawed theropods belong to the tyrannosaurid group, such as Tyrannosaurus rex, the Duonychus tsogtbaatari developed this trait independently. This discovery offers new insights into the evolution of these dinosaurs and their lifestyles.

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