Mononykus was a small, bird-like theropod dinosaur that lived during the Late Cretaceous period, approximately 70 million years ago. Measuring about 1 meter (3.3 feet) in length and weighing around 3–5 kilograms (6.5–11 pounds), it had a lightweight, agile body built for speed. Mononykus is most notable for its single large claw on each forelimb, with the other fingers reduced, suggesting it used these claws for specialized tasks like digging or breaking into insect nests. Its beak-like snout and small teeth further support the idea that it might have fed on insects or other small prey. Fossils of Mononykus have been discovered in Mongolia, providing valuable insights into the diversity of theropod dinosaurs and their evolutionary links to modern birds.