Balaur

The Balaur is a name with multiple significations, primarily rooted in Romanian folklore and paleontology. It can refer to:

1. Romanian Folklore: In Romanian mythology, the Balaur is a monstrous dragon or serpent, often depicted as having multiple heads (typically three, seven, or even twelve) and being incredibly large and powerful. It is considered an evil creature, embodying chaos and destruction. Balaurs are often associated with drought, storms, and the hoarding of treasure. They frequently appear in folk tales as adversaries to heroes and represent a primeval force that must be overcome. The exact features and powers attributed to the Balaur vary between regions and individual stories, but the core concept of a multi-headed dragon remains consistent. They are sometimes associated with underground lairs or bodies of water.

2. Balaur bondoc: This is a genus of theropod dinosaur from the Late Cretaceous period (Maastrichtian stage) of Romania. The only species identified within this genus is Balaur bondoc. Its name, Balaur, is derived from the Romanian dragon of folklore, reflecting the animal's perceived predatory nature and unusual features. The second part of the name, bondoc, means "stocky" or "squat" in Romanian, referring to its relatively robust build. Balaur bondoc is notable for possessing a number of unique features, including two enlarged claws on each foot, leading to speculation about its predatory adaptations and phylogenetic relationships. It is considered a dwarf dinosaur, likely due to the island environment it inhabited during the Late Cretaceous. Its discovery significantly contributed to our understanding of dinosaur evolution on the Hațeg Island, part of the Tethys archipelago.