The Discovery
Researchers have identified a new species of toothless dinosaur named Infernogallus jamesi, nicknamed the "hell chicken." Belonging to the caenagnathid family, the primary fossil skeleton was uncovered in July 2011 within Montana's Hell Creek Formation and obtained by the Royal Ontario Museum in 2012. Related specimens were also found in Montana, North Dakota, and South Dakota. Microscopic analysis of the animal's leg bones confirmed it was an adult aged six or seven years, weighing about 12 kilograms. Not specified in the source; please check the official notice for exact dimensions such as full body length.
What Scientists Found
A study led by Gregory Funston of Stony Brook University, in partnership with the Royal Ontario Museum and the North Dakota Geological Survey, examined the specimen's nearly intact skull using CT scans and 3D digital modeling. Their findings include:
- A uniquely curved bony palate that shifted jaw muscle orientation toward a front-to-back sliding motion rather than a simple up-and-down bite.
- A specialized jaw joint enabling up to 15 millimeters of back-and-forth movement, accounting for roughly 14% of skull length.
- Grooved and ridged oral surfaces, paired with evidence of a strong, flexible tongue designed to process soft items.
- A weaker vertical bite force compared to related species, making hard seeds, nuts, and tough vegetation unlikely food sources.
Why It Matters
The sliding jaw structure closely mirrors adaptations seen in the living vulturine parrot, a bird that strips soft fruit flesh while ignoring hard seeds. These features suggest that Infernogallus jamesi likely used its toothless mouth to mash soft vegetation and fruit. The discovery strengthens a potential evolutionary connection between dinosaur specialization and the expansion of flowering plants, expanding our understanding of small herbivores that shared ecosystems with giant predators.
Source: dinosaur fossil discovery - BingNews · Published October 29, 2026 · Photo by Annie Spratt on Unsplash
