3" Ornithomimus Caudal Vertebrae in Matrix

Measures: Matrix: 5"x4" , Vertebrae: 3" Long

Location: Judith River Formation, Alberta, Canada

Time Period: Cretaceous / ~ 70 myo

Ornithomimus or "Bird Mimic" is a genus of ornithomimid dinosaurs that roamed the earth in the late cretaceous period around 70 million years ago. With its hollow bones, this creature was exceptionally fast. Aiding in its speed were very slender foot and leg claws, which along with its strong tail, made Ornithomimus very agile. When it ran it would level it's back to be parallel with the ground, and it's tail would stiffen, thereby aiding in its swiftness. Aside from its two arms, the creature had a similar body structure of today's modern Ostrich and it had the speed to match. There is even fossil record indication that Ornithomimus was covered with feathers.

Ornithomimus was an omnivore that would eat a little bit of everything in order to survive. However, its toothless beak was too small to dine on larger prey. So, along with smaller creatures, it ate plants, nuts and berries.

Even though Ornithomimus had a small head, its brain cavity was large. Therefore, it's hypothesized that the animal was one of the smartest non-avian dinosaurs.