Binomial Deinonychus antirrhopus · die-NON-ih-kus
Early Cretaceous - 115-108 Ma
AI reconstructionDeinonychus fossil records in Fossil Atlas are mapped as selected modern discovery locations, with 17 source-backed records currently shown. North America, especially Cloverly, Antlers, and Cedar Mountain Formation records in the current atlas expansion. Key mapped formations in the current dataset include Cloverly Fm, Cloverly Formation, Arundel Fm. These pins are fossil record locations, not a complete ancient habitat map.
This remains a specimen profile: the reconstruction, measurements, field account, and evidence sections stay intact. The fossil-map answer is surfaced here so visitors from search can orient themselves before reading the full dossier.
Deinonychus was a small predatory dromaeosaur from Early Cretaceous North America. Fossil Atlas uses it to anchor new Cloverly, Antlers, and Cedar Mountain Formation pages with a fan-recognizable predator.
Drawn true to scale on a metre ruler.
Length
measured3.4 m · 11 ft
Largest known specimens
Height
measured1.2 m (4 ft)
Body mass
estimate73 kg · 160 lb
Typical adult
Top speed
estimate40 km/h · 25 mph
Modelled, debated
Position of this animal’s known range across 252 million years of the Mesozoic and beyond.
115-108 million years ago
Deinonychus helped reshape scientific thinking about dinosaur activity and bird-like traits.
Its sickle claw makes it one of the clearest dromaeosaur silhouettes.
Its records connect Cloverly, Antlers, and Cedar Mountain Formation pages.
Pins show selected fossil records for Deinonychus; use them as modern discovery evidence, not a complete range map. Modern fossil discovery map: pins show where selected fossil and specimen records were found today, not ancient Earth positions. What does this mean?
Specimen evidence
These are sourced specimen assets, separate from the AI reconstruction. Only media with clear open or reusable rights is displayed by default.
Deinonychus sp. (YPM VP 005397). Digital Image: Yale Peabody Museum; photo by Division of Vertebrate Paleontology, Yale Peabody Museum 2016
Division of Vertebrate Paleontology, Yale Peabody Museum
USNM PAL 497717
Michael Brett-Surman
USNM PAL 497716
Michael Brett-Surman
Deinonychus is represented here by selected fossil records from north america, especially cloverly, antlers, and cedar mountain formation records in the current atlas expansion. Fossil Atlas maps those records as modern discovery locations.
No. The map shows modern fossil discovery locations from selected records. Ancient habitat and paleogeographic reconstructions are separate questions.
The current Fossil Atlas records include Cloverly Fm. Formation coverage depends on the selected dataset and may not be complete.
Yes. Use the expedition card generator to turn the Deinonychus map and specimen profile into a shareable card.
Selected fossil records from PBDB and museum biodiversity aggregators. Source labels and confidence notes help distinguish canonical paleobiology records from specimen-media records.
Reconstruction images are labeled illustrations and do not represent fossil evidence. Size, speed, and bite-force figures are typical published estimates and remain subject to revision as new specimens are described.
Maps use curated PBDB, museum, and specimen-source records with visible caveats.
Pins show where fossils were found or reported today, not exact ancient habitat positions.
Artwork is labeled separately from specimen photos, maps, and source records.
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