Ornithomimus facts for kids
Quick facts for kids OrnithomimusTemporal range: Upper Cretaceous
75–65.5 mya |
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Ornithomimus
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Ornithomimus was a dinosaur that lived in North America. It was a fast runner and had feathers, just like a bird! This dinosaur was lightly built, meaning it wasn't very heavy.
Ornithomimus had three toes on each foot. It also had long arms and a long neck, but its head was quite small. It had claws on its hands and feet. This dinosaur did not have any teeth, and its jaws were weak. This might mean it was an omnivore, eating both plants and small animals.
The largest known species was Ornithomimus edmonticus. It grew to be about 12 feet (3.5 meters) long and 7 feet (2.10 meters) tall. It weighed around 100 to 150 kilograms. Ornithomimus walked on two legs. It looked a bit like an ostrich, but it had a long tail.
Sometimes, scientists have had trouble naming these dinosaurs. Some specimens that look like Ornithomimus have been placed in other genera. These include Dromiceiomimus and Struthiomimus.
Discovering Dinosaur Feathers
In 1995, and again in 2008 and 2009, scientists found three Ornithomimus edmonticus specimens. These fossils showed clear signs that the dinosaurs had feathers.
Two adult Ornithomimus fossils had special bumps on their lower arms. These bumps are called quill knobs. They show where bird-like feather shafts used to be. This means these dinosaurs had feathers similar to modern birds.
A younger Ornithomimus fossil also had feather impressions. These were long, fluffy feathers that looked like hair. They covered the dinosaur's rump, legs, and neck.
These feather imprints were found in sandstone. Before these discoveries, scientists thought that sandstone could not preserve such delicate impressions. This finding was very exciting for paleontologists!
Images for kids
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Holotype material of O. velox
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Ornithomimus velox type specimen
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Skull and neck of Ornithomimus sp. (RTMP 95.110.1)
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Life restoration of the plumage pattern suggested by specimens preserving feathers and skin
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Claw bone
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An Ornithomimus being restrained while preyed upon by Dakotaraptor
See also
In Spanish: Ornithomimus para niños
