In his descriptions, the Deinonychus grew to a full length of approximately 11.2 feet, 16.1 inches of which was for the skull and 2.9 feet for the hip height. In 1969, Ostrom published the name Deinonychus antirrhopus and thereafter a detailed monograph. Paleontologist John Ostrom did extensive research and wrote about the Deinonychus in detail.

The species name, antirrhopus, simply means “to counterbalance”, thus suggesting the Deinonychus’ long tail which had rigid tendons and bones that supported and balanced the whole body. The word Deinonychus has a Greek background suggesting the words “terrible” and “claws.” Their claws were large and formed a sickle shape on the second toe of the rear feet.

Paleontologists discovered the fossil remains of the species Deinonychus antirrhopus in the US states of Utah, Oklahoma, Montana, and Wyoming. They lived during the early Cretaceous Period which was approximately 115-108 million years ago. Deinonychus is an extinct dinosaur that belonged to the genus Carnivorousdromaeosaurid coelurosaurian dinosaurs.

Deinonychus jurassic world evolution