New Dinosaur Species From Chile Had a Unique Slashing Tail

New Dinosaur Species From Chile Had a Unique Slashing Tail
A Stegouros in an illustration. Mauricio Alvarez via AP
The Associated Press
Updated:

Fossils found in Chile are from a strange-looking dog-sized dinosaur species that had a unique slashing tail weapon, scientists reported Wednesday.

Some dinosaurs had spiked tails they could use as stabbing weapons and others had tails with clubs. The new species, described in a study in the journal Nature, has something never seen before on any animal: seven pairs of “blades” laid out sideways like a slicing weapon used by ancient Aztec warriors, said lead author Alex Vargas.