| Theropod means 'beast footed'. The theropods
were a diverse group of dinosaurs that walked predominantly on two legs.
The group includes Tyrannosaurus rex and Deinonychus. It
is now thought that the birds are descendants of small, originally
non-flying theropods that first developed feathers and then evolved
flying forms.
Theropod remains are so far rather sparse and
fragmentary, particularly for the smaller members of the group. Theropod
bones were hollow and thin-walled. There were three main digits on the
hand (the 4th and 5th digits were reduced) and three main weight-bearing
toes on the foot (the 1st and 5th digits were reduced). Claws were
present on all fingers and toes. Most theropods had sharp, curving teeth
suited to a carnivorous diet.
|
theropods