Talos Sampsoni: New Raptor Dinosaur Species Discovered In Utah
Scientists this week announced the discovery of Talos sampsoni, a new species of raptor dinosaur — the first discovery of its kind in more than 75 years.
“Finding a decent specimen of this type of dinosaur in North America is like a lighting strike,” Lindsay Zanno, the lead author of the study naming the new dinosaur, said in a statement provided to HuffPost. “It’s a random event of thrilling proportions.”
The dinosaur, which is part of a group of theropod dinosaurs that are closely related to birds, weighed about 83 pounds and most likely had a carnivorous diet. It had feathers, wing-like features and feet with three talon-like toes.
One of the talons on each foot was raised while the creature walked, and scientists say that this indicates it was used for another purpose.
“It was an instrument meant for inflicting damage,” Zanno said in the statement.
