Bataar, baatar, bator, etc.

[Tom Holtz <tholtz@geochange.er.usgs.gov>]

>I bought my kids the Stegosaurus and Triceratops models offered by Battat
>(not Bataar -- that's a country, and Tarbosaurus bataar is a species of
>asian tyrannosaur!)

Actually, the "bataar" in T. bataar is "warrior" or "hero" in Mongolian.
I've also seen that word spelled "baatar", "bator", and a few other
variations.  Incidentally, the capital of Mongolia (in pre-communist days
called Urga) is Ulan Bator (= "The Red Hero").

                                
Thomas R. Holtz, Jr.                                   
tholtz@geochange.er.usgs.gov
Vertebrate Paleontologist in Exile                  Phone:      703-648-5280
U.S. Geological Survey                                FAX:      703-648-5420
Branch of Paleontology & Stratigraphy
MS 970 National Center
Reston, VA  22092
U.S.A.