Utahraptor Dinosaur Claw Fossil Replica

Description

Utahraptor dinosaur claw fossil replica measures 7.0 x 0.7 x 3.5 inches. The Utahraptor ostrommaysi claw is a museum-quality polyurethane resin cast. 1:1 scale. Made in USA.

The name Utahraptor means “Utah’s predator”. This replica honors the lethal sickle claw that grew on the second toe of each foot. The weapon features a deep, sweeping curve that narrows into a sharp point.

It has a very tall and deeply pocketed base where powerful ligaments anchored the bone. A layer of tough keratin sheathed the core when the dinosaur lived. This extra material made the claw look like a massive hook. The animal held this special digit high off the ground to prevent dulling.

Fossils of this massive hunter come from the Early Cretaceous period. Paleontologists discovered them inside the Cedar Mountain Formation of eastern Utah. Unlike the small raptors popularized by movies, Utahraptor was an absolute giant.

It stretched up to 23 feet long and weighed more than 1,000 pounds. It was built like a heavy bear rather than a swift, lightweight bird. This heavy build required thick, robust foot bones to support its muscle mass.

Utahraptor used its giant sickle claw as a pinning and hunting tool. It did not slash wildly though the air like a sword. Instead, the dinosaur used is body weight to drive the hook deep into large herbivores. The claw locked the struggling prey tightly against the ground.

This pinning technique allowed the raptor to use its exceptionally strong jaws. It devoured its meal safely while keeping its vulnerable upper body away from kicking prey.

Scientific Classification

• Kingdom: Animalia
• Phylum: Chordata
• Clade: Dinosauria
• Clade: Saurischia
• Clade: Theropoda
• Family: †Dromaeosauridae
• Subfamily: †Dromaeosaurinae
• Genus: †Utahraptor
• Type species: †Utahraptor ostrommaysi
• Conservation Status: Extinct

The Utahraptor dinosaur claw fossil pairs well with the Deinonychus claw replica, the Deinonychus skull replica and the Iguanodon thumb spike replica.