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Name: Mononykus
Pronunciation: MON-ohn-EYE-kus Translation: Single claw Diet: Insectivore Height: 1.5 feet (0.45 meters) Length: 3.9 feet (1.2 meters) Weight: 7 - 8 pounds (3.6 kilograms) Location: China, Mongolia Time: Late Cretaceous (70-65 MYA) |
Despite being such a small dinosaur Mononykus was one of the largest members of the Alvarezsaurid family. Dinosaurs in this family are typically categorized as being small and lightly built, with feathers on the body, and one claw larger than the rest on each of their small arms.
Mononykus however was still unique within this family, possessing only one single large claw on each hand! Mononykus was in fact so unique that it is currently the only known dinosaur to have this “single claw” that gives this animal its name. While this may seem unusual and perhaps even disadvantageous to Mononykus, scientists believe that these singular claws were perfectly adapted to help this little dinosaur catch its preferred meal, bugs and insects. The claw likely helped Mononykus to strip away bark from trees, tear apart tough plant fibers, and even dig its way through insect mounds in order to catch prey. Being able to survive primarily on insects meant that Mononykus was likely able to thrive in the variety of different environments that could be found in Cretaceous Asia, which included habitats ranging from lush forests, arid deserts, and cold tundras.
The feathers on their bodies indicate that the Mononykus and its relatives were likely closely related to modern birds. Further strengthening this connection, a 2021 study revealed that Mononykus’ inner ear resembled that of present-day owls, causing some scientists to speculate that this dinosaur would have possessed similar physical features, like a Barn Owl’s facial disk, to further enhance its sharp hearing!
Mononykus however was still unique within this family, possessing only one single large claw on each hand! Mononykus was in fact so unique that it is currently the only known dinosaur to have this “single claw” that gives this animal its name. While this may seem unusual and perhaps even disadvantageous to Mononykus, scientists believe that these singular claws were perfectly adapted to help this little dinosaur catch its preferred meal, bugs and insects. The claw likely helped Mononykus to strip away bark from trees, tear apart tough plant fibers, and even dig its way through insect mounds in order to catch prey. Being able to survive primarily on insects meant that Mononykus was likely able to thrive in the variety of different environments that could be found in Cretaceous Asia, which included habitats ranging from lush forests, arid deserts, and cold tundras.
The feathers on their bodies indicate that the Mononykus and its relatives were likely closely related to modern birds. Further strengthening this connection, a 2021 study revealed that Mononykus’ inner ear resembled that of present-day owls, causing some scientists to speculate that this dinosaur would have possessed similar physical features, like a Barn Owl’s facial disk, to further enhance its sharp hearing!