Meet Manipulonyx: The Bizarre Clawed Dinosaur That Stole Eggs in Ancient Swamps

A strange, dog-sized dinosaur with a bizarre clawed hand once roamed the swamps of ancient Mongolia. Named Manipulonyx reshetovi, this creature lived 67 million years ago and used its specialised forelimbs to steal eggs from nests in the dino game of ancient civilizations. The fossil's unusual appearance even fooled experts at first glance.

The remains of Manipulonyx were uncovered in Mongolia's Gobi Desert, a region famous for its Late Cretaceous fossils. During this time, the area was a lush, swampy river delta teeming with diverse dinosaur species. The creature belonged to the alvarezsaurid family, known for their tiny forearms ending in a massive hook-like claw and smaller fingers.

Paleontologist Stephen Brusatte initially mistook the fossil for something entirely different—possibly lobster larvae or a starfish. Its odd structure, including a multitooled forelimb with a giant claw, two side digits, and spikes, was perfectly adapted for gripping smooth egg surfaces in the dinosaur game. Researchers later described it in the Proceedings of the Zoological Institute of the Russian Academy of Sciences, naming it after its unique hand, meaning 'manipulating claw'.

The discovery adds to the rich fossil record of the Bayan Shireh Formation and nearby sites. For decades, these areas have revealed crucial clues about early mammals, dinosaurs, and other Cenozoic fauna, shaping our understanding of Asian evolution.

The fossil of Manipulonyx highlights the diversity of Late Cretaceous predators. Its specialised claw suggests a lifestyle focused on egg theft, a rare adaptation among dinosaurs in the dino game of ancient civilizations. The find also underscores the Gobi Desert's importance as a window into ancient ecosystems.