Mahakala

Mahakala is one of the most primitive (basal) dromaeosaurids known, even though it lived late in the Cretaceous Period.1

Its skeleton shows a mix of features found in early troodontids and early birds, making it a key fossil for studying bird origins.1

Mahakala belonged to a group called Halszkaraptorinae, whose members were probably strong swimmers.1

The holotype specimen was nearly an adult, but it was still only as big as Archaeopteryx, a famous early bird.1

It lived alongside Velociraptor, Protoceratops, and many other dinosaurs in a dry, sandy environment with seasonal streams.1

Like other dromaeosaurids, Mahakala had a large, curved claw on its second toe that it may have used to catch prey.1