Root digging dino claws reported in ScienceDaily 6 May 2014, and Scientific American and Bristol University press release, 7 May 2014. Stephan Lautenschlager of Bristol University UK has studied the claws of a group of dinosaurs named Therizinosaurs. These are bipedal dinosaurs belonging to the group known as theropods, whose most famous members are the Tyrannosaurs and Velociraptors. Therizinosaurs were large animals, reaching up to 7 metres (23 ft) tall with huge, sharp claws up to 50 cm (20 in) long. In any other theropods these claws would be considered weapons for killing prey, but the structure of their skulls and shape of their teeth indicates Therizinosaurs were vegetarians.

Lautenschlager digitally scanned the claws of 65 theropod species and made detailed computer models to simulate possible functions for different Therizinosaur species and different claw shapes. He also compared the claws with those of living mammals, where we can observe how they use their claws. He concluded that Therizinosaurs used their claws for digging up roots, grasping and pulling down branches like using a grappling hook, and for piercing plants.

Although they were plant eaters, Therizinosaurs are believed to have evolved from meat eaters. Lautenschlager commented: “It’s fascinating to see that, with the shift from a carnivorous to a plant-based diet, we find a large variety of claw shapes adapted to different functions. This suggests that dietary adaptations were an important driver during the evolution of theropod dinosaurs and their transition to modern birds”.

Bristol University, ScienceDaily, Scientific American

Editorial Comment: Finding that big, sharp, strong dinosaur claws can be used for gathering plant food rather than killing prey is no surprise. Genesis chapter 1 tells us all animals were originally created to be vegetarians, and as this new study shows, sharp claws are useful even for a plant eating animal. However, we have it on good authority (a reliable eye witness who was there) that the diet change in theropods was from plant eating to meat eating, and not the other way around. Genesis also tells us that by Noah’s day the whole world had become violent, and some animals would have started using the features they already had, such as sharp claws and teeth in defence, or to fight and kill other animals.

Furthermore, there never was any actual evidence that Therizinosaurs were ever carnivores. This belief was always founded on evolutionary theory that claims they evolved from other theropod dinosaurs – a now obvious blind faith position. (Ref. dinosaurs, diet, behaviour)

Evidence News vol. 14 No. 10
18 June 2014
Creation Research Australia