Although Velociraptor had been discovered earlier, Deinonychus was the first raptor known from an almost complete skeleton. Its name means 'terrible claw' from the 8-inch retractable sickle claw on its foot. It once hunted across North America, and its discovery led to a dramatic change in how dinosaurs were perceived - that birds are descended from dinosaurs.
Discovery
The first Deinonychus remains were discovered in southern Montana in 1931. Further finds have occurred since from the Cloverly Formation of Montana and Wyoming, and in the Antlers Formation of Oklahoma.
Paleoecology
Deinonychus lived in a floodplain or swamp-like ecosystem. Where remains have been found there is evidence of subtropical forests, river deltas and lagoons.
