What is Psittacosaurus?
Q: What is Psittacosaurus?
A: Psittacosaurus is a small ceratopsian dinosaur from the Lower Cretaceous period in Asia, known for its powerful beak.
Q: Was it similar to other ceratopsians?
A: Psittacosaurus was more basal than other members of the Ceratopsia and had no horns or frill on its head, but it shared some features with later ceratopsians.
Q: How many Psittacosaurus species have been named?
A: Nine to eleven species of Psittacosaurus have been named for fossils found in China, Mongolia, Russia, and with a possible additional species from Thailand.
Q: Were all Psittacosaurus species the same size?
A: All species of Psittacosaurus were gazelle-sized bipedal herbivores, but they may have had different structures on their tails and backs.
Q: Did Psittacosaurus have any unique characteristics?
A: At least one species of Psittacosaurus had long, quill-like structures on its tail and lower back, possibly used for display.
Q: What era did Psittacosaurus live in?
A: Psittacosaurus lived during the Lower Cretaceous period, about 130 to 100 million years ago.
Q: What distinguished Psittacosaurus as a ceratopsian?
A: Although it lacked horns and a frill, Psittacosaurus had a powerful beak that is characteristic of ceratopsians, making it a member of this group.
