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Dinosaurs: Therizinosaurus (Scythe Lizard)

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Last updated: 7th August 2025

What is Therizinosaurus?

Therizinosaurus was a very unusual dinosaur that lived during the Late Cretaceous Period, about 70 million years ago in what is now Mongolia. It is best known for its gigantic, scythe-like claws on each hand, which could reach up to 1 meter (about 3 feet) long! Although it looked fierce, Therizinosaurus was likely a gentle giant.

How big was Therizinosaurus?

Therizinosaurus was one of the largest feathered dinosaurs. It could reach up to 10 meters (33 feet) in length and stood as tall as 5 meters (16 feet) at the top of its head. Weighing around 5 tons (about as much as an elephant), it was truly a giant among dinosaurs!

What did Therizinosaurus eat?

Despite its fearsome claws, Therizinosaurus was probably a plant-eater (herbivore). Scientists think it used its claws to pull down branches or to defend itself from predators, rather than for hunting. Its small, leaf-shaped teeth were good for chewing plants, not for eating meat.

Therizinosaurus appearance

Therizinosaurus had a small head, a long neck, a big round belly, and stood upright on two strong legs. It had long, feathered arms with three huge claws on each hand. Its body was covered in simple feathers, and its feet had four toes each. Its long neck helped it reach high plants, much like a giraffe does today.

An artist’s depiction of a feathered Therizinosaurus dinosaur standing in a prehistoric forest clearing. A reconstruction of a feathered Therizinosaurus

Generative AI Notiﬁcation: Some elements of this image have been created or enhanced using AI technology. To find out how we create all our dinosaurs, click here.

An realistic depiction of a feathered Therizinosaurus dinosaur.

Therizinosaurus size compared to an adult human.

Therizinosaurus Facts

Pronounced: theh-rih-ZEEN-oh-sore-us

Name Means: "Scythe Lizard"

Length: up to 10 m (33 feet)

Height: up to 5 m (16 feet)

Weight: about 5,000 kilograms (5 tons)

Diet: Herbivore (plants)

Time: Late Cretaceous (about 70 million years ago)

Fossils Found: Asia (Mongolia)

Did Therizinosaurus really have giant claws?

Yes! Therizinosaurus had the longest claws of any known dinosaur. Each claw could grow to be over 1 meter (3 feet) long—about the length of a baseball bat! Scientists think these claws helped it reach food, defend itself, or attract mates.

How Accurate is the Jurassic World Domimion Therizinosaurus?

The Therizinosaurus in Jurassic World Dominion is partially accurate. While the movie accurately portrays its feathered appearance, large claws, and beak-like mouth, it also depicts it with a boxy head, incorrectly places the first digit of the foot, and gives it an inaccurate feeding behaviour and echolocation ability.

Where did Therizinosaurus live?

Fossils of Therizinosaurus have been found in Mongolia, which was a warm, lush area during the Cretaceous Period. It probably lived in forests and river valleys, where there were plenty of plants to eat.

Did Therizinosaurus have feathers?

Yes, Therizinosaurus was likely covered in simple, hair-like feathers. Fossil evidence from close relatives shows that these dinosaurs had feathers for warmth and maybe even for show!

Did Therizinosaurus hunt or eat meat?

No, Therizinosaurus probably did not hunt other dinosaurs. Its teeth and jaws were suited for eating plants, and its claws were not sharp enough for catching prey. It may have used its claws for defense, reaching plants, or digging.

Which family of dinosaurs did Deinonychus belong to?

Therizinosaurus was part of the Therizinosauridae family—a group of strange-looking, long-necked, plant-eating dinosaurs with large claws and feathery bodies. They are related to other theropod dinosaurs, which are usually meat-eaters, but Therizinosaurs switched to a vegetarian lifestyle!

Could Therizinosaurus run?

Therizinosaurus was not a fast runner. Its big, heavy body and long claws made it slow and clumsy. It probably walked slowly, using its size and claws to scare away predators.

Interesting Facts

Largest Claws: Therizinosaurus holds the record for the longest claws of any animal that ever lived.
Strange Family: Though it was a relative of meat-eating theropods like Tyrannosaurus rex, Therizinosaurus was a plant-eater.
Fossil Finds: Only partial skeletons of Therizinosaurus have been found, so scientists are still learning a lot about it!
First Discovery: The first fossils were discovered in Mongolia in the 1940s.

What other Dinosaurs / Prehistoric animals lived at the same time as Therizinosaurus?

During the late Cretaceous Period, which spanned from approximately 100 to 66 million years ago, Therizinosaurus shared its habitat with a multitude of other fascinating dinosaurs and prehistoric animals. Some of the notable contemporaries of Therizinosaurus include:

Triceratops: A large herbivorous dinosaur known for its three distinctive facial horns and large bony frill, Triceratops was a formidable presence in the Cretaceous landscape.
Edmontosaurus: A duck-billed dinosaur, or hadrosaur, Edmontosaurus was a large, plant-eating dinosaur that traveled in herds and inhabited a wide range of environments.
Tyrannosaurus Rex: One of the most famous dinosaurs, Tyrannosaurus Rex, was a massive carnivore with a powerful bite. It measured about 12 metres in length and was a top predator in its ecosystem.
Ankylosaurus: A heavily armored herbivore, Ankylosaurus was covered in bony plates and wielded a powerful club-like tail to defend itself against predators.
Pachycephalosaurus: Recognisable by its thick, domed skull, Pachycephalosaurus is believed to have used its head in combat, possibly in intraspecies rivalry.
Quetzalcoatlus: One of the largest flying animals ever, this pterosaur had a wingspan comparable to a small aircraft and soared over the Cretaceous skies.
Deinonychus: A close relative of Therizinosaurus, Deinonychus was a similarly agile and intelligent predator, noted for its sickle-shaped claw on each hind foot.
Parasaurolophus: Another hadrosaur, Parasaurolophus was known for its long, curved cranial crest, which may have been used for communication or display.
Spinosaurus: One of the largest carnivorous dinosaurs, Spinosaurus was semi-aquatic, with a distinctive sail-like structure on its back and a diet that included fish and other prey.
Velociraptor: A small, feathered meat-eater that shared its Mongolian home with Therizinosaurus.

These diverse inhabitants of the late Cretaceous Period contributed to a vibrant and complex ecosystem, each playing unique roles in their environment.

Therizinosaurus FAQ

Q1: What is Therizinosaurus?

A1: Therizinosaurus was a bizarre, feathered theropod dinosaur that lived about 70 million years ago during the Late Cretaceous period. Despite belonging to the same general group as T. rex, it was likely a slow-moving, plant-eating dinosaur with long claws, a small head, and a pot-bellied body.

Q2: How big was Therizinosaurus?

A2: Therizinosaurus was one of the largest therizinosaurs. It reached up to 33 feet (10 meters) in length and may have weighed as much as 5 tons. Its arms alone were around 8 feet (2.4 meters) long, ending in 3 enormous claws, each about 3 feet (1 meter) long.

Q3: What did Therizinosaurus eat?

A3: It was most likely an herbivore. Its small, leaf-shaped teeth, beak, and large belly suggest it fed on tough vegetation, such as cycads, ferns, and flowering plants. The long claws may have helped pull down branches or strip leaves from trees.

Q4: Did Therizinosaurus have feathers?

A4: While no direct feather impressions have been found with Therizinosaurus, related species like Beipiaosaurus show clear evidence of feathers. Given its close evolutionary ties, scientists are confident that Therizinosaurus was at least partially feathered.

Q5: What were those huge claws for?

A5: The claws of Therizinosaurus were likely used for defense, display, and feeding. Although they look intimidating, their shape and structure suggest they weren’t ideal for slashing prey. They may have been used to scare predators, attract mates, or pull vegetation.

Q6: Was Therizinosaurus a predator?

A6: No. Despite being a theropod (a group known mostly for carnivores), Therizinosaurus shows many adaptations for herbivory. It lacked the sharp teeth and powerful jaws of meat-eating theropods and had a body structure suited for a plant-based diet.

Q7: Where was Therizinosaurus discovered?

A7: The first fossils were discovered in the Nemegt Formation of Mongolia in the 1940s. Initially, only the claws were found, and they were mistakenly thought to belong to a giant turtle. Later discoveries clarified that they belonged to a theropod dinosaur.

Q8: Did Therizinosaurus live alone or in groups?

A8: There is currently no direct fossil evidence of herd or pack behavior. However, some related species show fossil groupings, which could suggest at least occasional social behavior. Until more fossils are found, its social habits remain uncertain.

Q9: How does Therizinosaurus fit into dinosaur evolution?

A9: Therizinosaurus belonged to a unique group of theropods called Therizinosauria. Though descended from carnivorous ancestors, this group evolved in the opposite direction—developing long necks, herbivorous diets, and bird-like features, including feathers and beaks.

Q10: Has Therizinosaurus appeared in popular media?

A10: Yes, it gained mainstream attention after appearing in Jurassic World: Dominion (2022). While the film portrayed it as highly aggressive, this doesn’t align with scientific evidence. In reality, it was likely a peaceful browser and used its claws defensively, not offensively.

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