Three Fossilized Ornithopod Eggs

Name/Title

Three Fossilized Ornithopod Eggs

Description

Ornithopods became one of the most successful groups of plant-eating dinosaurs in the Cretaceous period. They ranged across North America, although their remains have been found on all seven continents. Ornithopod means "bird feet" in Greek. This refers to their characteristic three-toed feet, although many early ancestors retained four toes. They were also characterized by having no armor and horny beaks, which were part of their sophisticated chewing apparatus. The model shows what the baby may have looked like just before hatching.

Collection

Natural History, Permanent Collection

Dimensions

Height

5 in

Width

10 in

Length

14 in

Exhibition

7