Many aspects of dinosaur reproduction such as rivalry, mating, and courtship rituals are still hidden in the past. It is a rare occurrence when a dinosaur egg can be found with an intact embryo inside. As well as providing information about the embryonic development of dinosaurs, an intact embryo can give clues about the behavior of the parents. Recently, scientists Jack Horner and Bob Makela unearthed an ancient lizard fossil of a Maiasaura guarding its nest. Another fossil known as an Oviraptor was found in Mongolia also guarding its nest. Nests containing dinosaur eggs are important to understanding the behavior of dinosaurs. Dinosaur nests can range from uncomplicated holes in the ground to relatively sophisticated mud structures. Maiasaura nests have also been found in Montana, USA with fossils of entire Maiasaura communities and are an indication of the social complexity of the dinosaur.
Amazing details such as how the sauropod actually laid its eggs can also be revealed. It is thought that the sauropods like Diplodocus, Brachiosaurus and Apatosaurus may have used a tube extension to drop their eggs into the nest without breaking them. This hypothesis comes from the observation that sauropod eggs would have to fall about 8 ft into the nest after exiting the female sauropod’s body. |
