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1) Maiasaurs were
herbivorous. Adults weighed roughly 3-4 tons.
They probably ate about 200 lb. of food each day.
2) Many Maiasaura nests have been found at two
sites, Egg Mountain and Egg Island. At the time
of the dinosaurs, each of these sites was an island.
Although islands are rather limiting in space,
the nests are usually found 25-30 feet apart.
3) the sharp serrated teeth of a small dinosaur
called Troödon have been found in the nesting
areas of maiasaurs.
4) large numbers of bones found at one location
in Montana indicate that there existed a herd
of maiasaurs of nearly 10,000 individuals. These
individuals varied in size from 9' to 25' in length.
5) the dinosaur nests at both of the Egg Mountain
locations have been found at three different depths.
Several layers of sandstone were deposited between
the nesting horizons.
6) The bones of most newborn birds are not fully
ossified (hardened into bone). The ends are still
relatively soft and spongy and made of cartilage.
As a result, newborn birds can stand up only momentarily.
Their bones will not support them.
7) An adult Maiasaura reached a size of 25-30
feet in length. It weighed 3-4 tons.
8) The shells found in the nests of the Maiasaura
are all broken up.
9) The front teeth of many dinosaurs like Maiasaura
are very interesting. There is a heavy enamel
layer on the outside of the upper teeth, but that
very same layer is on the inside of the lower
teeth. Therefore as the teeth come together, a
self-sharpening effect takes place. The teeth
become like chisels.
10) The shells found in the nests of Orodromeus
are not all broken up. The lower egg shell is
usually intact.
11) The presence of large numbers of bones at
one site suggest that maiasaurs were found in
herds up to 10,000 in number.
12) the bones of the hatchlings of Maiasaura are
not fully ossified. The ends are still relatively
soft and spongy and cartilaginous.
13) Examination of the embryos of Maiasaura show
wears on the front teeth. This has occurred before
hatching.
14) at birth, maiasaurs is about 12 inches in
length. Bones have been found in the nests of
maiasaurs that were over 3 feet in length. This
is very common.
15) the bones of the hatchlings of Orodromeus
are fully ossified. That means that the ends of
the bones are fully developed and very strong.
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