AN EXCEPTIONAL "RAPTOR" CLAW. ...

Description

AN EXCEPTIONAL "RAPTOR" CLAW
Deltadromeus agilis
Early Cretaceous
Tegana Formation, Ksar es Souk Province
Kem Kem basin, Morocco
Deltadromeus is not technically a raptor like Velociraptor or Dromaeosaurus, but is most-likely a ceratosaurid related to the Jurassic American genus, Ceratosaurus (which is known for its large and unusual horn on its snout). It does, however, possess very deadly looking claws and teeth and was no doubt a very fearsome predator. But, in addition to its formidable weapons, its unusually long and gracile hind legs suggest that it was a very swift runner. It also was quite large, measuring upwards to 30 feet long and weighing a ton or more. This makes Deltadromeus one very nasty customer - it had all of the advantages of true raptors, speed, great eyesight, and vicious "killing claws" to which must be added the giant size and strength and big slicing teeth of a large ceratosaurid. So to describe this animal as a giant raptor is not too far from the truth. But, to be scientifically correct, it must be referred to as a ceratosaurid. Teeth of Deltadromeus are quite common in the Kem Kem beds of Morocco but claws are exceptionally rare with only about 1 claw found for every thousand plus teeth. Claws are naturally rarer than teeth because a dinosaur only has one set of claws, but produces thousands of teeth, in its lifetime. This is because with dinosaurs and reptiles, teeth are more loosely anchored than in mammals, and when a tooth is damaged or lost in a feeding attack or other activity, a new germ tooth is just underneath in the socket, ready to grow in within just a few weeks. So every time a tooth is lost, a new one grows in for the entire lifespan of the dinosaur. This superb claw is probably from digit III on the hand or manus and was used for grasping, or ripping and stabbing in an attack on its intended prey. It possesses a very crisp and detailed surfaces and exhibits a gorgeous orange-red color. It measures 2 7/8 inches around the curve, is 1 inch tall and has a small amount of restoration to the first ¼ inch of the tip.

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