Fona

Fona had strong arm and hip muscles, fused pelvic bones, and large hind legs that helped it dig burrows.12

Scientists think Fona may have dug like a springhare: scratching soil loose with its front claws and kicking it away with its back legs.2

Fona's closest relative, Oryctodromeus, also burrowed, and its burrows have been found in Idaho and Montana.1

Fona skeletons are often found complete, lying chest-down with legs spread, as if they died in their burrows.1

At least two Fona skeletons have been found intertwined, which matches the idea that they shared burrows.2

Fona lived in a warm, wet floodplain with many rivers, between a huge inland sea to the east and volcanoes to the west.1

The species name herzogae honors Lisa Herzog, the paleontology operations manager at the North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences.1