Slashdot Mirror

← Back to Stories (view on slashdot.org)

'Chicken From Hell' Unearthed In American Midwest

Posted by samzenpus on from the did-it-cross-the-road dept.

sciencehabit writes "A newly described dinosaur might look like a chicken, but don't be fooled: It was nearly 4 meters long, weighed about 250 kilograms, and lived 66 million years ago in what is today the Hell Creek rock formation in North and South Dakota. That's why its discoverers are calling it the 'chicken from hell,' and indeed it was related to early birds and to feathered, birdlike dinos that brooded over their nests, such as Oviraptor. The creature had a toothless beak, sharp claws, and a tall crest on top of its head. It is the largest Oviraptor-like dinosaur found in North America."

5 of 78 comments (clear)

  1. And.. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 3, Funny

    Jesus rode it...

  2. Gives new meaning... by dgatwood · · Score: 4, Funny

    ... to the obligatory Far Side Eggs and baby cartoon.

    --

    Check out my sci-fi/humor trilogy at PatriotsBooks.

  3. Re:so over 30 feet high and nearly a half ton by camperdave · · Score: 4, Funny

    Nice try. I know math late at night might be hard.
    4 meters = ~13 feet
    250Kg = ~550 lbs. = ~1/4 ton

    Must be a hunter or fisherman. "You should have seen the one that got away..."

    --
    When our name is on the back of your car, we're behind you all the way!
  4. Key to ending world hunger by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 2, Funny

    If we can breed chickens and get them to shorten their hatch-to-slaughter time down to 21 days ( and getting shorter ), we should try resurrect this beast and start breeding them.

    One of these weight 250KG, or equivalent of almost 150 chickens.

    It would solve the world hunger problem in no time !

    1. Re: Key to ending world hunger by WindBourne · · Score: 3, Funny

      Do enough of them, and they could solve the population problem as well.

      --
      I prefer the "u" in honour as it seems to be missing these days.