Oviraptor

Oviraptor is one of the most famous dinosaurs of the Mongolian Gobi Desert, recovered from the Campanian-aged Djadokhta Formation. Approximately two metres long and weighing around 35 kilograms, this bipedal oviraptorid had a short, deep skull equipped with an arched crest and a robust, completely toothless beak. Originally discovered lying atop a clutch of eggs, Henry Fairfield Osborn named it the egg seizer under the assumption that it died while raiding a Protoceratops nest. Decades later, discoveries of related oviraptorids over identical nests revealed embryos of their own kind, proving that Oviraptor was in fact a devoted parent protecting its future brood. Its powerful jaws were well suited to crushing tough vegetation, seeds, or perhaps small animals and molluscs.

Originally accused of stealing Protoceratops eggs, it was actually brooding its own nest.

Where and when

Oviraptor lived in the Late Cretaceous, from 75 to 71 million years ago (Campanian age). Its remains come from Mongolia, in the Djadokhta Formation.

The numbers

Length 1.8 m (estimates run from 1.6 to 2 m). Mass about 35 kg. Hip height about 0.8 m. That is 1.1 human-lengths, or 0.16 of a double-decker bus. These are estimates from partial skeleton; fields marked estimated by the site are length, mass, hip height.

Compare Oviraptor with a bus Place on the timeline