Fossils

Rare Oviraptor partial crescent egg nest discovery a scientifically important find in Xixia Basin Kaoguo Formation, in the Henan Province of China. From the Mesozoic era, in the fossil layer of the Maastrichtian stage, the late Cretaceous period around 72 to 66 million years ago. Science has determined The oviraptor dinosaurs were paternally protective of their nests, adult oviraptor dinosaur skeletons have even been found lying over their eggs, one can only guess at why this is so possibly as some cataclysmic event befell the nesting grounds, the parent oviraptor could have been shielding the nest from harm or possibly a predator other theories put forward include the adult died while incubating their eggs. Discoveries made in the last few decades have helped to substantiate the theory of bird-like behaviour among oviraptor dinosaurs and the sedentariness of the parents has given more clues to the habits of oviraptors, it is now thought they did brood over their eggs and possibly stayed with the hatchlings for a period of time. Oviraptor was about the size of an Ostrich or Emu. When first discovered it was described as a bird-like dinosaur. The oviraptors strong beak-like jaws capable of cracking down on its prey. Again recent discoveries learn towards oviraptors the diet consisted of mollusc and crustacea and perhaps supplemented by slower prey it could catch, even small lizards.

Genus: Oviraptor nest
Origin: Xixia Basin Formation, Henan Province, China.
Age: Mesozoic era, late Cretaceous, Maastrichtian stage around 72 to 66 million years. Nest measurements.

Height: 16.5 cm
Length: 57 cm
Depth: x cm
Average egg Length: 18 cm

Approximate weight: 36.6 kg Raptor teeth discoveries >

CLOSE UPS >