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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jul 18, 2026

Computer-Generated Animal Model Stimuli

Computer-Generated Animal Model Stimuli

Published on: July 29, 2007

Dinosaur killer claws or climbing crampons?

Phillip L Manning¹, David Payne, John Pennicott

¹School of Earth, Atmospheric and Environmental Science and The Manchester Museum, University of Manchester, Oxford Road, Manchester M13 9PL, UK. phil.manning@manchester.ac.uk

Biology Letters

|December 7, 2006

Summary

The dromaeosaurid dinosaur's sickle claw, often thought for slashing prey, likely aided in prey capture. This finding challenges previous theories on theropod predatory behavior.

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Area of Science:

Paleontology
Biomechanics
Functional Morphology

Background:

Dromaeosaurid theropod dinosaurs are known for a distinctive, enlarged claw on their second toe.
This ungual claw has traditionally been interpreted as a weapon for disemboweling prey.

Purpose of the Study:

To investigate the functional morphology of the dromaeosaurid pedal ungual.
To re-evaluate the predatory function of the dromaeosaurid sickle claw.

Main Methods:

Robotic modeling of dromaeosaurid hindlimb function.
Comparative morphological analysis of pedal ungual structures in extant taxa.

Main Results:

The study indicates the dromaeosaurid claw was not suited for slashing.
Evidence suggests the claw functioned more effectively in grasping or stabilizing prey.

Conclusions:

The hypertrophied pedal ungual of dromaeosaurids likely served as an aid in prey capture, not primarily for disemboweling.
This reinterpretation refines our understanding of predatory mechanics in theropod dinosaurs.