Baryonyx was a large spinosaurid dinosaur. Its name means "Heavy Claw", based on the animals very large claw on its first finger.Fossil evidence shows both fish scales and juvenile Iguanodon bones in the stomach region, suggesting that Baryonyx was a very capable predator of fish, but also an effective scavenger of carcasses.
Discovery
An almost complete specimen was discovered in 1983 in Surrey, England. Subsequent teeth and bones have been found on the Isle of Wight, and in areas of Spain and Portugal.
Paleoecology
With skull and jaw features similar to modern day gharials, Baryonyx would likely have spent much of the day in or around lakes, lagoons and river deltas as an opportunistic predator. This would help it avoid competition for food with large terrestrial based theropods.
