The Parrot-Lizard
Psittacosaurus was a small, early dinosaur that lived approximately 100-120 million years ago during the Early Cretaceous period.
| Meaning | Parrot lizard [Psittaco-saurus] |
| Pronunciation | sit-uh-ko-SORE-us |
| When: | Early Cretaceous (about 126–101 million years ago) |
| Where: | Asia (China, Mongolia, Russia) |
| What: | Ceratopsian (herbivorous) |
| Weight: | Estimated around 20 kg (44 pounds) |
| Length: | Approximately 2 meters (6.5 feet) |
| Diet: | Herbivorous (ate plants) |
| Discovered: | First described by Henry Fairfield Osborn in 1923 |
It was discovered in what is now China and Mongolia.
Psittacosaurus was relatively small, reaching lengths of about 2 meters (6.5 feet) and weighing around 20-40 kilograms (44-88 pounds).
It had a beaked, parrot-like face, which earned it the nickname “parrot-lizard.”
This herbivorous dinosaur had a bulky body with short legs and a long tail, likely adapted for agility and balance.
Psittacosaurus fossils are abundant and well-preserved, providing important insights into the diversity and evolution of early dinosaurs.