Types of Dinosaurs.
HomeDinosaurs › Mononykus

Mononykus

Life restoration of Stegosaurus showing plates and tail spikes
Photo: DataBase Center for Life Science (DBCLS), CC BY 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Pronunciation
mo-NON-ih-kus
Name means
One Claw
Diet
Carnivore
Posture
Bipedal
Period
Late Cretaceous
Length
5 feet (1.5meters)
Height
3.5 feet (1.1meters)

Order: Saurischia · Suborder: Theropoda · Infraorder: Tetanurae

Mononykus is known from fragmentary remains discovered in Mongolia. It had a large but short forelimbwith a single claw. While not capable of flight, Mononychus may be more closely related to modern-day birds than is Archaeopteryx.

Restoration of Spinosaurus, a large sail-backed predatory dinosaur
Photo: Brondon Bobah, CC BY 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

More Cretaceous-period dinosaurs →

Reference background: Natural History Museum, London — Dinosaurs; Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History — Dinosaurs; American Museum of Natural History — Dinosaurs & Fossils. Figures are typical published ranges; taxonomy follows the source era and modern consensus is noted where it differs. See our sources & fact-check policy.

Frequently asked questions

What does Mononykus mean?

The name Mononykus means “One Claw”. It is pronounced mo-NON-ih-kus.

When did Mononykus live?

Mononykus lived during the Late Cretaceous.

Was Mononykus a carnivore or a herbivore?

Mononykus was a carnivore.

How big was Mononykus?

Mononykus was about 5 feet (1.5meters) long, around 3.5 feet (1.1meters) tall.

Related dinosaurs

Other dinosaurs from the same period.

Compare the dinosaurs

See size, diet, period and family for hundreds of dinosaurs side by side.

Compare dinosaurs →

Get updates by email

Occasional, useful, no spam.

We'll email you useful info and the occasional offer. Unsubscribe anytime.
We use cookies to measure site traffic. See our Privacy Policy.