About
Baryonyx was a remarkable that prowled the riverbanks and wetlands of Early Cretaceous Europe around 130-125 million years ago. Unlike most large theropods that hunted land animals, Baryonyx was adapted for catching fish, sporting a long, narrow snout filled with finely , conical teeth remarkably similar to those of modern crocodilians. Its most striking feature was an enormous curved claw on each hand's first finger, measuring about 31 centimeters (roughly a foot) long, which may have been used to hook fish from the water much like a grizzly bear.
The discovery of Baryonyx in 1983 was a genuine stroke of luck. Amateur fossil collector William J. Walker was exploring the Smokejack Clay Pit in Surrey, England, when he noticed a large claw protruding from the clay. Recognizing its significance, he alerted the Natural History Museum in London. Paleontologists Alan Charig and Angela Milner excavated the site and eventually described the new species in 1986, naming it in honor of Walker's discovery.
The specimen proved to be one of the most complete theropod skeletons ever found in the United Kingdom, containing about 70% of the animal's bones including skull material — a rarity for British dinosaurs. Analysis of its stomach contents revealed the partially digested scales of a large fish and bones from a young Iguanodon, suggesting Baryonyx was an opportunistic predator that wouldn't turn down a meal when available.
Baryonyx belongs to the Spinosauridae family, making it a relative of the famous Spinosaurus from Africa. However, unlike its -backed cousin, Baryonyx lacked the dramatic along its back. Additional specimens have been found across England and the Iberian Peninsula, though some have since been reclassified into different genera as scientists better understand spinosaurid diversity.
Explore the anatomy
5 featuresThat long, narrow skull looks totally different from other big meat-eating dinosaurs — it's built more like a gharial's snout. The tip of the upper jaw flares out into a 'rosette' of extra-large teeth, perfect for gripping slippery, thrashing fish.
Instead of steak-knife teeth for slicing meat, these teeth are cone-shaped with tiny serrations — ideal for piercing and holding wriggling prey. With around 96 teeth packed into both jaws, that's way more than most big theropods had.
Each hand had a massive curved claw on the first finger, measuring about 31 cm around the outside edge — that's what gave Baryonyx its name, meaning 'heavy claw.' Scientists think it worked like a grizzly bear's claws, hooking fish right out of the water.
While many big theropods had weedy little arms, Baryonyx was different — its forelimbs were large and packed with muscle. Deep scars on the arm bones show where powerful muscles once attached, built for actively snatching up prey.
The original skeleton came with a bonus: actual stomach contents! Inside were partly digested fish scales and bones from a young plant-eating dinosaur called Iguanodon. This proves Baryonyx wasn't just a fish-eater — it grabbed whatever food it could get.
Where fossils were found
Wealden Group
East Sussex, West Sussex, Kent, Surrey +4 more · United Kingdom, Belgium, Germany, Spain
125.8–121.4 million years ago(4.4m year span)
Where Baryonyx Roamed
During the Early Cretaceous, Baryonyx walkeri inhabited the lush river deltas and coastal lagoons of what is now southern England, part of a low-lying island archipelago situated between the encroaching waters of the proto-North Atlantic and the shallow Tethys Sea. This subtropical environment featured warm, humid conditions with meandering rivers teeming with fish and freshwater prey—an ideal hunting ground for this specialized spinosaurid predator.
Keep exploring the vault
Iguanodon
Iguanodon bernissartensis
Baryonyx holotype specimen from the Wealden Group of England contained Iguanodon bones in its gut region, providing direct fossil evidence that Baryonyx preyed upon or scavenged juvenile Iguanodon in addition to its primary fish diet.
Spinosaurus
Spinosaurus aegyptiacus
Both Baryonyx and Spinosaurus are spinosaurids that independently developed elongated crocodile-like snouts, conical teeth, and fish-eating adaptations.
Microraptor
Microraptor gui
Both species show evidence of specialized diets involving aquatic prey — Baryonyx as a large piscivore with crocodilian adaptations, and Microraptor with fish remains found in gut contents.
Deinonychus
Deinonychus antirrhopus
Baryonyx lived during the Early Cretaceous (Barremian) in Europe, broadly contemporaneous with Deinonychus in North America.