Oviraptor - Fossilised egg - 20 cm

Beautiful oviraptor egg with matrix. The black shell is splendidly preserved, with evident surface details and the typical surface roughness of these specimens' shells.
Oviraptor was a rather small, feathered oviraptorid, estimated at 5.2-6.6 feet (1.6-2 meters) in length with a weight between 73 and 88 pounds (33-40 kg). It had a broad lower jaw with a skull that probably had a crest. Both the upper and lower jaws were toothless and developed a keratinous beak, which was used during feeding along with the robust morphology of the lower jaws. The arms were well-developed and elongated, ending with three fingers with curved claws. Like other oviraptorids, Oviraptor had long hind limbs with four-toed feet, with the first toe reduced. The tail was probably not very long and ended in a pygostyle that supported large feathers.


Initial relationships of Oviraptor were poorly understood at the time and were assigned to the unrelated Ornithomimidae by the original describer, Henry Osborn. However, reviews conducted by Rinchen Barsbold demonstrated that Oviraptor was distinct enough to justify a separate family, the Oviraptoridae. When first described, Oviraptor was interpreted as an egg thief and eater, given the close association of the holotype with a dinosaur nest. However, findings of numerous oviraptorosaurs in nesting poses have shown that this specimen was actually incubating the nest and not stealing or feeding on the eggs. Additionally, the discovery of remains of a small juvenile or hatchling has been reported in association with the holotype specimen, further supporting parental care.