Deep under a parking lot in Denver, a museum known for its dinosaur exhibits made an unexpected discovery. While exploring geothermal heating options, they drilled over 750 feet down. What they found was a tiny fossil, about the size of a hockey puck. This fossil is a vertebra from a small, plant-eating dinosaur that lived around 67. 5 million years ago, just before the asteroid impact that ended the dinosaurs' reign.

The odds of finding this fossil were incredibly low. The drill was only a few inches wide, making the discovery a rare stroke of luck. Experts compared it to winning the lottery or hitting a hole-in-one from the moon. This is only the third time such a find has happened worldwide, and it's the first time it's occurred on the grounds of a dinosaur museum.

The fossil was found near some fossilized plants, suggesting the dinosaur lived in a swampy, heavily vegetated area. While the exact species is unknown, experts believe it could be a duck-billed dinosaur or a thescelosaurus. Despite its small size, the discovery is exciting for the museum and dinosaur enthusiasts.

The fossil is now on display at the Denver Museum of Nature and Science. However, there are no plans to dig deeper in the parking lot. The museum needs the space for parking, so the rest of the dinosaur will remain a mystery. The discovery is a reminder that there's still so much to learn about the past, even in the most unexpected places.

A Dino Discovery Beneath the Parking Lot

A peculiar dinosaur species has been discovered in the vast expanse of Mongolia's Gobi Desert. This newfound creature has left scientists baffled with its unique two-fingered claws. The claws are not just any ordinary claws. They are massive, measuring nearly a foot in length, and are covered in a protective sheath made of keratin. This sheath is a big deal because it is rarely found intact with dinosaur fossils.

The dinosaur has been officially named Duonychus tsogtbaatari. The name is a nod to Mongolian paleontologist Khishigjav Tsogtbaatar. The genus name, Duonychus, is derived from Greek and means "two claws. " This dinosaur is part of a group known as therizinosaurs. Unlike their more famous cousins, the Tyrannosaurus rex, therizinosaurs were not meat-eaters. Instead, they were likely plant-eaters or omnivores.

Duonychus tsogtbaatari was a towering figure in its time, standing about 10 feet tall and weighing around 573 pounds. Its claws were likely used for more than just grabbing food. They could have been used for defense or even for showing off to potential mates. The claws' shape and size suggest they could grasp branches up to 4 inches in diameter, making it easier for the dinosaur to reach vegetation.

The fossil of this dinosaur was found several years ago by staff at Mongolia’s Institute of Paleontology. Besides the claws, parts of the dinosaur's backbone, tail, hips, arms, and legs were also discovered. The preservation of the claw's keratinous sheath is particularly exciting. It provides a rare glimpse into the relationship between the claw's outer covering and the underlying bone.

The discovery of Duonychus tsogtbaatari has sparked interest among paleontologists. They are eager to learn more about this unique dinosaur and its place in the prehistoric world. The dinosaur's claws, with their distinctive shape and size, have been compared to those of a sloth. This comparison highlights the dinosaur's likely arboreal lifestyle, using its claws to navigate trees and reach food.

The dinosaur's claws have also been likened to barbecue tongs, emphasizing their size and unique structure. This comparison, while humorous, underscores the dinosaur's unusual appearance and the challenges it faced in its environment. The discovery of Duonychus tsogtbaatari is a reminder of the endless possibilities that lie hidden in the earth, waiting to be uncovered.

DINOSAUR DISCOVERY

A Dino Discovery Beneath the Parking Lot

The Claws that Time Forgot

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