Mononykus

Mononykus had a single large claw on each hand, about 7.5 centimetres (3 inches) long. The other two claws were tiny or gone.2

Its inner ear bones look very similar to those of modern barn owls. Scientists think Mononykus might have had a face disc of feathers to help it hear better.2

Mononykus was covered in feathers. Its relative Shuvuuia had feather traces in its fossils, so scientists believe Mononykus did too.2

The first Mononykus fossil was found in 1987 in the Gobi Desert. It was a partial skeleton without a tail and only a few skull bones.2

Mononykus was originally named Mononychus in 1993, but that name was already used for a beetle. So scientists changed it to Mononykus later that year.2

Many museum skeletons of Mononykus are actually based on its close relative Shuvuuia, because early fossils were mixed up.2