By, Evan Name Speed Fast and Fierce Glossary Reference

By, Evan

NameSpeedFast and FierceGlossaryReference

The name Deinonychus means “terrible claw.”

Deinonychus was a fast dinosaur that would chase and pounce on its prey.

Fossil footprints show scientists how fast these dinosaurs could run.

Fast runners left footprints that were far apart.These dinosaurs had long stiff tails to help

them steer at fast speeds and balance as they leaped on their prey.

A Deinonychus was a meat eater that could chase their prey at high speeds.

These meat eaters probably hunted large plant eaters in groups.

It had strong jaws that could take powerful snapping bites.

Each back foot had a large killing claw that could move up and down to cut into flesh.

It would raise its huge claws when it ran to protect them from becoming blunt.

BLUNT ~ an edge or point that is not sharp (adjective)

DEINONYCHUS ~ dinosaur name that means “terrible claw” (noun)

FIERCE ~ violently hostile or aggressive (adjective)

Deinonychus antirrhopus "Terrible Claw". (2010). Retrieved March 25, 2011, from Zoom Dinosaurs: http://www.enchantedlearning.com/subjects/dinosaurs/

Mayes, S. (1993). The Usborne Book of Dinosaurs. London: Usborne Publishing Ltd.