An impressive prehistoric articulated Dinosaur Fossil of a juvenile Psittacosaurus, probably Psittacosaurus Xingjiangensis, dating to the Early Cretaceous II period, Aptian-Albian (125 - 99.6 million years old).
This extremely rare fossil has been painstakingly chiseled from its matrix (surrounding rock) and mounted by a professional paleontologist in anatomically correct position. Rather than a composite of different dinosaurs, this specimen constitutes an original and fully preserved creature and is one of the finest fossils we have seen. The creature mounted in animated fashion, his powerful hind legs striding forwards, his weaker upper limbs flexed and his head turned inquisitively to the side. A high number, approximately ninety percent, of the bones are original, with only minor additions and restorations. A fantastic example of this rare species, known from only a small number of complete fossils.
The Fossil dates to the Early Cretaceous period. The Cretaceous period was the last Geological period where land Dinosaurs ruled the Earth. The end of the Cretaceous heralded the cataclysmic K-T extinction event that wiped out virtually all life on our planet.
The Psittacosaurus was a bizarre land Dinosaur, resembling a cross between a large Pig and a Parrot! The dinosaur was named by the President of the American Museum of Natural History (AMNH) - Henry Fairfield Osborn - in 1923. The parrot-like beak of these animals and their reptilian nature, earned them the Greek name Psittacosaurus, which means "parrot like lizard". Psittacosaurus was a herbivore, eating plants. It had self sharpening teeth for cropping and slicing tough plant material. It could not however grind or chew food; like some modern birds, it relied on Gastroliths - swallowed stones - to instigate the initial stages of digestion. Around 50 such stones have been found in the stomachs of some specimens.
There is little doubt that this relatively small herbivorous dinosaur acted as prey for other larger carnivorous creatures of this period. Another Chinese fossil of Repenomanus giganticus, a large cat-like carnivore, has been found preserved with the remains of a juvenile Psittacosaurus in its abdominal cavity. These and other related fossils have been on view at the AMNH since Saturday February 19, 2005.
Length of dinosaur: 35 inches.
Height from modern base: 17 inches.
Provenance: From an English Private Collection.
References:
Good Online references:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Species_of_Psittacosaurus
http://www.dinodata.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=7109&Itemid=67
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cretaceous
This piece is currently being conserved, please enquire regarding availability.
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