Baryonyx
Bah-ree-on-ix.
Name meaning:Heavy claw
Time Period: Hauterivian to the Barremian (Early Cretaceous)
Locations: La Rioja-Spain|Portugal-Papo Seco Formation|England-Weald Clay Formation
Taxonomy: Theropoda-Spinosauridae-Baryonychinae
Subspecies: B. walkeri
Characteristics ~ ~ ~ ~
Baryonyx is estimated to be between 25 to 33 feet long. Each arm was strong and developed, facing inwards with a single enlarged claw on each hand that can reach 31 centimeters long, as a comparison the largest Grizzly bear claws can only reach 11 centimeters. They were used for most of the same ways as bears, swiping fish out of the water and for combat. Baryonyx had a long narrow skull and sub circular teeth meant for easily capturing slippery fish like a modern day Gharial. Baryonyx is presumed to have hunted similar to a herein standing by he water’s edge and waiting for fish to pass by its mouth as it does not have many aquatic adaptations. Although Baryonyx is the only theropod to have fossilized evidence of piscivory, with fossilized fish scales found in a specimen's stomach as well as a juvenile Iguanodontid. Baryonyx lived in a warm climate with lagoons and rivers Primarily found in England, other species that may have lived with Baryonyx are Iguanodon
History ~ ~ ~ ~
Found in 1983 in the Smoke jack Clay pit when William J. Walker found a large claw within one of the clay rocks. In a 1986 interview Charig called Baryonyx "the best find of the century" NHMUK VP R9951 is 70% complete and it still remains the most complete member of Spinosauridae. Spinosauridae divided into two groups Baryonychinae and Spinosaurinae, Baryonychinae contains Baryonyx and Ceratosuchopsins like Suchomimus That were more terrestrial generalists. While animals from Spinosaurinae would contain the larger sail backed and rutter tailed animals like the iconic Spinosaurus , Irritator and Itchyovenator. Before the discovery of Baryonyx Spinosaurus was interpreted with a typical theropod skull. Baryonyx was nicknamed "Claws" by journalists.
Media Deptictions
Jurassic World Fallen Kingdom Its scene from the movie is bad and its design is abysmal. It has a broad snout and is covered in crocodile scutes. Jurassic world loves to be lazy when designing by adding crocodile scutes, they could have at least used Suchomimus instead since at least that is named the crocodile mimic and would make a little sense having an appearance that mimics crocodiles. The design made for the Jurassic world website is far superior
