Image: Troodon clutch

Description: Troodon formosus egg clutch, collected in Teton County, Montana, on display at the Museum of the Rockies in Bozeman, Montana. Troodon was one of the first dinosaurs collected, in 1856. But only a single tooth was found. As other Troodon-like skeletons were discovered over the next 150 years, most were classified as other species or genera. Re-examination and reclassification has led to a more clear understanding of Troodon, although most of the Troodon specimens we know today are sub-species or genera of their own (meaning Troodon is probably a "tribe" and not a species). In 1984, Jack Horner discovered Troodon eggs in Teton County, Montana. Additional clutches have been found over the years and analyzed, too. Troodon built nests out of depressions in the ground, and constructed high rims around them to keep out water. Troodon eggs are teardrop-shaped, and Troodon pushed the tips into the ground and aligned the tops inward. It is suggested that Troodon sat on its eggs to incubate them, and that only males incubated. Probably two eggs were laid at first, and after the space of a day or two an additional pair of eggs were laid. This went on until 16 to 24 eggs were laid. Troodon young probably exited the nest immediately, and there was no raising of young by adults.
Title: Troodon clutch
Credit: Troodon formosus egg clutch - Teton County Montana - Museum of the Rockies - 2013-07-08 Uploaded by FunkMonk
Author: Tim Evanson from Washington, D.C., United States of America
Usage Terms: Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 2.0
License: CC BY-SA 2.0
License Link: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0
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