Therizinosaurus (Therizinosaurus cheloniformis) was one of the strangest-looking dinosaurs ever discovered. Although it belongs to the theropods (the group that includes famous predators), Therizinosaurus evolved a largely plant-eating lifestyle—complete with a beak, a large belly for digestion, and unbelievably long claws.
Time Period
Therizinosaurus lived during the Cretaceous Period (Late Cretaceous). In your site filter, this is grouped under Cretaceous.
Habitat
Fossils come from the Nemegt Formation in what is now Mongolia. This region is often reconstructed as river-influenced lowlands and floodplains with abundant vegetation—ideal conditions for large herbivores.
Size and Appearance
Therizinosaurus reached about 9–10 meters in length and was built very differently from typical predatory theropods. It had a long neck, a small head with a beak, a broad torso, and massive forelimbs ending in gigantic curved claws. Many modern reconstructions depict it as feathered, which would have made it look even more unusual.
Diet and Lifestyle
Therizinosaurus is generally considered an herbivore. It likely fed on leaves, shoots, and branches, using its long neck to reach vegetation and its huge claws to pull plants closer. A large digestive system would have helped process tough plant matter.
What Were the Claws For?
The famous claws probably had multiple uses: pulling down branches, stripping foliage, display, and defense. A large animal with claws of this size would have been difficult for predators to attack, especially if it could swing its forelimbs with force.
Why Therizinosaurus Matters
Therizinosaurus shows that theropods were not all apex predators. Some lineages evolved into specialized herbivores with body plans unlike anything else, highlighting the incredible diversity of dinosaurs in the Cretaceous.
