Baryonyx was a theropod dinosaur of the early Cretaceous Period, about
130–125 million years ago. An identifying specimen of the genus was
discovered in 1983 in Surrey, England; fragmentary specimens were later
discovered in other parts of the United Kingdom and Iberia. Meaning
"heavy claw", Baryonyx refers to the animal's very large claw (31 cm or
12 in) on the first finger. The 1983 specimen is one of the most
complete theropod skeletons from the UK, and its discovery attracted
media attention. Baryonyx was about 7.5 m (25 ft) long and weighed
1.2 t (1.3 short tons). It had a long, low, bulbous snout and narrow,
many-toothed jaws, which have been compared to gharial jaws. It is now
recognised as a member of the family Spinosauridae of large, sail-backed
predators. It was the first theropod dinosaur identified as fish-eating,
and may also have been an active predator of larger prey and a
scavenger, since the 1983 specimen contained bones of a juvenile
Iguanodon. Baryonyx caught and held its prey primarily with its strong
forelimbs and large claws. The creature lived near bodies of water, in
areas where other theropod, ornithopod, and sauropod dinosaurs have also
been found.
Read more: <https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Baryonyx>
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Today's selected anniversaries:
14:
Tiberius, one of Rome's greatest generals, succeeded his
stepfather Augustus as Roman emperor.
<https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tiberius>
1809:
The second theatre of the Royal Opera House (interior pictured)
in London opened after a fire destroyed the original theatre one year
earlier.
<https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Royal_Opera_House>
1879:
The Blackpool Illuminations in the English seaside town of
Blackpool, billed as "the greatest free light show on earth", were
switched on for the first time.
<https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blackpool_Illuminations>
1911:
Premier Pyotr Stolypin, considered one of the last major
statesmen of Imperial Russia, was fatally wounded while attending a
performance at the Kiev Opera House.
<https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pyotr_Stolypin>
1974:
Hurricane Fifi struck Honduras, destroying 182 towns and
villages in the first 24 hours, and ultimately causing over 8,000
deaths.
<https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hurricane_Fifi%E2%80%93Orlene>
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Wiktionary's word of the day:
clamorous:
1. Of or pertaining to clamor.
2. Noisy, loud.
<https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/clamorous>
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Wikiquote quote of the day:
The true measure of a man is how he treats someone who can do him
absolutely no good.
--Samuel Johnson
<https://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/Samuel_Johnson>