Re: Dino Eggs

[Stan Friesen <swf@tdat.ElSegundoCA.NCR.COM>]

Grant Harding wrote:
 >
 > Does anyone here know how dinosaurs hatched their eggs?
 >
Well, this cannot be answered in general, since different types
of dinosaurs actually used different methods, just like different
species of birds use different methods (not all birds sit on the
eggs).

Also, the information is not available for most species of dinosaurs.

The one we know the most about is Maiasaura peblesorum.  This
duck-bill built elevated nests in large nesting colonies near
lake shores.  These nests were apparently covered with rotting
vegetation to provide warmth (much like modern bower birds),
and guarded by the mother until the young were old enough to
fend for themselves.  The hatchlings were apparently fed by the
mother as well - hence the name Maiasaura = "mother she-lizard".

Another species we know a good deal about is Orodromeus, a recently
discovered hypsilophodont.  This form laid its eggs in the ground,
probably in a sunny spot, and abandoned them, somewhat like many
modern reptiles - leaving it to the sun to keep them warm.

We have a Protoceratops nest, associated with an adult skeleton,
so they appear to have used a system similar to Maiasaura, but the
nest was not excavated carefully enough to know for sure.
[For instance, we do not even know if it was really a solitary
nest or not].

For most types of dinosaurs, we do not even what the eggs looked
like, let alone how they nested.

swf@elsegundoca.ncr.com         sarima@netcom.com

The peace of God be with you.