Scientists in Chile have discovered the bones of a dinosaur they say used its unusual tail as a deadly weapon. Researchers say the dog-sized creature had a tail weapon unlike those seen on any other animal. The tail had a series of “blades” on each side that could be used to cut its enemies. At first, the scientists thought the plant-eating dinosaur might have belonged to a similar species called stegosaurus. But after studying pieces of skull and examining DNA, the scientists decided the dinosaur must be from a new species. The researchers named the dinosaur stegouros because of its similarities to stegosaurus. The find is described in a study recently published in Nature. Alex Vargas was the lead writer of the study. He told The Associated Press that the animal’s blade-like tail could be used as a cutting weapon similar to those used by Aztec warriors. “It’s a really unusual weapon,” said Vargas, a scientist with the University of Chile. He said information on the species should be added to books on prehistoric animals for children. “It just looks crazy,” Vargas added. The bones, or fossil, is from about 72 million to 75 million years ago, the team said. Researchers believe the animal is part of the ankylosaur family of dinosaurs. They are believed to have walked the Earth throughout the Jurassic and Cretaceous periods.