The nearly foot-long claws that scientists found in the Gobi Desert belonged to an unknown species. But that didn’t stop the team from making a quick comparison. “(It’s an) Edward Scissorhands dinosaur,” University of Edinburgh paleontologist Steve Brusatte told CNN. That's a reference to the main character of the 1990 movie hit of the same name. “But this one is unique in having only two fingers on each of its giant arms.” Diggers also found parts of the dino’s spine, tail, hips, arms, and legs. The remains were enough to make a rough sketch of the 10-foot-tall creature. The team also believes it was an omnivore. That means it likely ate plants and meat. In the image, the dino’s claws look like the bladed hands of Edward Scissorhands. In the movie, Edward used his digits to sculpt hedges and trim hair. But the dino likely used its talons to gather food or protect itself. “They weren’t predators, but they could defend themselves with those claws. They were big and very sharp,” said Darla Zelenitsky. She co-authored the study. It was published Tuesday in the journal iScience. Scientists named the new species Duonychus tsogtbaatari. The genus name is Greek for “two-clawed.” And tsogtbaatari honors famed Mongolian fossil-digger Khishigjav Tsogtbaatar. The team believes it was likely covered in feathers. It may have even clung to trees with its claws like a modern-day sloth. This new find shows the importance of studying fossils, Brusatte told CNN. “This is yet another example of a wonderful new dinosaur that we couldn’t have dreamed ever existed if we didn’t find its fossils,” Brusatte said. Reflect: What do you think would be exciting or surprising about discovering the bones of a new animal? Conceptual art of Duonychus tsogtbaatari courtesy Masato Hattori via Reuters.
