Oviraptor

dinosaur · Mongolia · Late Cretaceous · mystery

Named for egg-stealing. When scientists first discovered Oviraptor in Mongolia in 1923, they thought it was sneaking around stealing ceratopsian dinosaur eggs. That is actually how it got its name, which means 'egg thief.'

Found in Mongolia. Oviraptor lived in Asia during the Late Cretaceous period, and its remains were discovered in a place called the Djadokhta Formation. This was a desert region where many dinosaurs roamed millions of years ago.

Part of a special family. Oviraptor belonged to a group of dinosaurs called oviraptorids. These dinosaurs were different from the huge long-necked ones, with their own unique body shape and behaviors.

Probably had feathers. Scientists believe Oviraptor and its relatives were covered in feathers, making them look quite different from the scaly monsters we often imagine dinosaurs to be.

Caring parent mystery. Scientists now think Oviraptor may have been sitting on its own eggs to protect them, not stealing them. A nest of about fifteen eggs was found near the skeleton, suggesting it was a devoted parent.