the Cretaceous dinosaurs of the Mesozoic Era. The
Cretaceous Period, the last period of the Mesozoic Era, refers to about
80 million years spanning from about 145 million years ago to 65
million years ago. During this period, a wide diversity of animals such
as ammonites, dinosaurs, and birds, prospered with
angiosperms.
Pachycephalosaurus
As an herbivorous dinosaur known as a dome-headed dinosaur, it is
characterized by very thick skull that resembled a dome. Domed skull
up
to 25 cm thick was surrounded by a series of bumps, and the sharp
bumps
also existed around its mouth. Its flat teeth were bent backwards,
with
saw-like blades helping it to cut leaves. Pachycephalosaurus lived
in
U.S. and Canada, grew to be about 8 meters long and weighted 1~2
tons.
Tyrannosaurus As
a carnivorous dinosaur of the late Cretaceous period, it is one of
the
most frightening and fiercest dinosaurs, as indicated by its name
which
means tyrant lizard. It is easily distinguished with anatomical
features fit to attack and dominate other dinosaurs such as sharp,
cone-shaped teeth as long as 20 cm, saw-like blades both in front
and
back of the teeth, big and long hind legs, and sharp claws.
Tyrannosaurus lived in U.S. and Canada, grew up to 10~14 m long and
weighted 4.5~7 tons.
Oviraptor As
an omnivorous dinosaur of the Cretaceous Period, Oviraptor was named
egg stealer and characterized by a crest on its skull. It had a
short
dome-shaped skull, curved beak with no teeth, long and slender hind
legs and a short tail. Oviraptor was 1.5~2.5 m long and weighted
25~35
kg, which has been found in Mongolia. It is believed that Oviraptor
was
very agile animal and could run swiftly.
Protoceratops
As
an herbivore of the late Cretaceous Period, Protoceratops is
characterized by a large skull with a frill comparable to its
body
size. Its body was bulky like a large pig, showing a primitive
form. It
also had a beak much like that of a parrot. Equipped with a
strong and
hard beak with sharp teeth, it is assumed to have been able to
masticate plants very well. Protoceratops lived in Mongolia and
China,
was 1.8 m long and weighted 150 kg.