Scientists Discover New Dinosaur with Dangerous Tail - VOA Learning English

Scientists in Chile have discovered the bones of a dinosaur they say used its unusual tail as a deadly weapon.

At first, the scientists thought the plant-eating dinosaur might have belonged to a similar species called stegosaurus.

But after studying pieces of skull and examining DNA, the scientists decided the dinosaur must be from a new species.

He told The Associated Press that the animal’s blade-like tail could be used as a cutting weapon similar to those used by Aztec warriors.

“It’s a really unusual weapon,” said Vargas, a scientist with the University of Chile.

The bones, or fossil, is from about 72 million to 75 million years ago, the team said.

The scientists say the dinosaur must have been a rare southern hemisphere member of the family.

The fossil appears to be an adult based on the way the bones are connected, Vargas said.

The tail was probably used as a defense against large predators.

Vargas said the animal’s enemies were also likely persuaded not to attack by armor-like bones that made stegouros “chewy.”.

She added that the finding shows that scientists are “just scratching the surface” when it comes to understanding the many different kinds of dinosaur species.