Baryonyx

Baryonyx was a dinosaur that loved to eat fish. It had a long, narrow snout like a crocodile. Its name means "heavy claw" because of the large claw on each hand. It lived about 130 million years ago in England.

A Fishing Dinosaur

Baryonyx was about 31 feet long and weighed about 2 tons. It had a long, flat snout filled with small, cone-shaped teeth. These teeth were perfect for gripping slippery fish. Fossilized fish scales were found inside its stomach. It is related to the even bigger Spinosaurus.

The Heavy Claw

Baryonyx had a huge, curved claw on each hand that was about 12 inches long. It may have used this claw to hook fish out of the water, like a bear does. It could also walk on two legs and may have hunted small dinosaurs on land too.

Fun Facts

• Fish scales and bones were found inside a Baryonyx fossil's stomach area.
• It was discovered by an amateur fossil hunter named William Walker in 1983.
• Its large thumb claw was about 12 inches long — as long as a ruler.

Did You Know?

Baryonyx was found in a clay pit in England by a man who spotted a giant claw sticking out of the rock. It was one of the most exciting dinosaur finds in British history!