Koreanosaurus Dinosaur is an extinct species of theropod dinosaur that lived in the Cretaceous period and is known from fossil remains discovered in South Korea. Koreanosaurus was a medium-sized dinosaur, about 4m in length and weighing up to 400kg. Its tail was estimated to be 1m in length, slightly longer than its hind legs. The forelimbs of Koreanosaurus were relatively short compared to other theropods, measuring approximately 30cm and ending in three-fingered foreclaws.
Just above its torso, the dinosaur's narrow neck was lined with five slightly curved neck vertebrae which were connected to a boxy skull measuring about 25cm in length. Its small eyes were set in large orbits on either side of its very elongated snout; a sharp looking beak seen in other theropod dinosaurs. It had sharp, serrated teeth which were shifted to the sides of its mouth, indicating that it was a carnivorous species.
Koreanosaurus Facts :
| Name: | Koreanosaurus Dinosaurs |
| Size: | 4 meters |
| Main Facts: | Koreanosaurus is the only known species of the Chasmasauridae family, and is currently the only recognized non-avian dinosaur species found in South Korea. |
The fossil remains of Koreanosaurus are unique in that they show marginal scales that were thought to be remiges on the arm feathers. This is the first evidence of arm feathers in a dinosaur outside of birds. Scientists believe this discovery suggests that the arm feathers found on modern birds may be evolutionary remainders of a much older trait. Koreanosaurus was a bipedal dinosaur, walking upright on its hind legs and using its tail for balance. Its meter-long tail was likely flexible, which could have been used for grasping a prey.
It was a fast-moving animal, a feature typically seen in theropod dinosaurs, and is considered to be a scavenger rather than a hunter. While Koreanosaurus is mostly known from its fossilized skeleton, a partial upper jawbone was also found with the remains that featured a slight depression along the middle. This suggested that it had a similarly shaped dentition to that of modern birds and that it had an especially deep braincase, indicative of an agile and intelligent creature. Koreanosaurus was one of the last surviving non-avian dinosaur species, living during the late Maastrichtian period. It was likely an opportunist, relying on a variety of food sources including small animals, insects, eggs, and carrion. Its sharp claws and beak-like snout likely helped it to catch small prey.
