獸腳亞目 - Fossil matrix - BIG Suchomimus Claw - 24 cm

This is a large Suchomimus Claw. It is also a real claw fossil, not ground from other bones. The bone structure is very well preserved and the shape of the claw is very beautiful. It is a large and rare dinosaur claw fossil. The curved length of the claw is 24 cm. The claw is about 92% complete, which is rare for such a large claw to be so complete in the world.

Suchomimus is classified in the family Spinosauridae, a group of large predators with a head shaped for hunting fish. However, compared to other large theropods (such as tyrannosaurids or carcharodontosaurids), the skeletal structure of spinosaurs is less robust, especially in the head, leading some scientists to question whether spinosaurs could hunt large of prey. Apart from its dorsal spine, Suchomimus was very similar to Baryonyx, which also had strong forelimbs and a huge sickle-shaped thumb claw. The claws of Suchomimus and Baryonyx were the first fossil parts that paleontologists noticed. Based on the only holotype specimen, Suchomimus was larger than Baryonyx. A few paleontologists believe that Baryonyx may be a juvenile of Suchomimus, and that Spinosaurus may be the same animal as Suchomimus.