Psittacosaurus sibiricus is an extinct species of ceratopsian dinosaur that lived during the Early Cretaceous Period, approximately 125 to 100 million years ago, in what is now Asia, specifically in the region of Siberia. This dinosaur is one of many members of the genus Psittacosaurus, known for their small size and unique anatomical features.
Psittacosaurus sibiricus was a relatively small dinosaur, with an estimated length of about 2 meters from head to tail. Its weight probably did not exceed 20 kilograms. Like all psittacosaurs, this species had a distinctive skull with a horny beak similar to that of a parrot, which gave it its name ("Psittacosaurus" means "parrot lizard"). This beak was ideal for cutting through tough vegetation, indicating that Psittacosaurus was a herbivore that fed on plants such as ferns and cycads.
One of the most notable features of Psittacosaurus sibiricus is the presence of long, thin filamentous structures growing from the base of its tail. Although they are not feathers in the modern sense, these filaments could have served for display or communication between individuals, or even for camouflage. In addition, this species had a large head in proportion to its body, with large eye sockets, suggesting that it had good vision.
Psittacosaurus sibiricus was a bipedal dinosaur, walking primarily on its hind legs, although it could also use its front legs to move or manipulate objects. Its hind limbs were strong and long, adapted for running, which would have allowed it to escape predators quickly. The front legs were shorter and had hands with fingers that could have been used to grab or manipulate vegetation.
Fossils of Psittacosaurus sibiricus have been found in the Shestakovo Formation in Siberia, Russia. These discoveries have been crucial to understanding the diversity and geographic distribution of psittacosaurs, which are among the most primitive and common ceratopsian dinosaurs of the Early Cretaceous.
Approximate measurements of Psittacosaurus:
Psittacosaurus sibiricus was a relatively small dinosaur, with an estimated length of about 2 meters from head to tail. Its weight probably did not exceed 20 kilograms. Like all psittacosaurs, this species had a distinctive skull with a horny beak similar to that of a parrot, which gave it its name ("Psittacosaurus" means "parrot lizard"). This beak was ideal for cutting through tough vegetation, indicating that Psittacosaurus was a herbivore that fed on plants such as ferns and cycads.
One of the most notable features of Psittacosaurus sibiricus is the presence of long, thin filamentous structures growing from the base of its tail. Although they are not feathers in the modern sense, these filaments could have served for display or communication between individuals, or even for camouflage. In addition, this species had a large head in proportion to its body, with large eye sockets, suggesting that it had good vision.
Psittacosaurus sibiricus was a bipedal dinosaur, walking primarily on its hind legs, although it could also use its front legs to move or manipulate objects. Its hind limbs were strong and long, adapted for running, which would have allowed it to escape predators quickly. The front legs were shorter and had hands with fingers that could have been used to grab or manipulate vegetation.
Fossils of Psittacosaurus sibiricus have been found in the Shestakovo Formation in Siberia, Russia. These discoveries have been crucial to understanding the diversity and geographic distribution of psittacosaurs, which are among the most primitive and common ceratopsian dinosaurs of the Early Cretaceous.
Approximate measurements of Psittacosaurus:
- 1:20 scale - Complete
- Length 100 mm
- Height 36 mm
- Width 19 mm
- Snout-tail length 100 mm
- 1:10 scale - Complete
- Length 200 mm
- Height 71 mm
- Width 38 mm
- Snout-tail length 200 mm
