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ornithomimus: omnivore dinosaur from the Cretaceous era

Ornithomimus Facts

Pronunciation: or-NITH-oh-MY-mus

Name meaning: Bird Mimic

Diet	Omnivore
Height	2m
Length	4m
Weight	170 kg
Speed	60 km/h
Environment	Land
Era	Cretaceous
Period	Late Cretaceous
Type	Theropod
Location	North America

Ornithomimus was a remarkable theropod dinosaur that lived in western North America during the Late Cretaceous period, between 83.6 and 72.2 million years ago. This fascinating creature earned its name, meaning 'bird mimic', due to its striking resemblance to modern ostriches and emus, though it was actually a dinosaur rather than a bird.

Standing about 2 metres tall at the hip and reaching 4 metres in length, Ornithomimus was built for speed. Its long, powerful legs and lightweight body allowed it to reach impressive speeds of up to 60 kilometres per hour when escaping predators across the ancient floodplains and forests of North America. The dinosaur's body was covered in feathers, which likely helped with temperature regulation and possibly display behaviours.

One of Ornithomimus's most distinctive features was its small, toothless beak, which suggests it had an omnivorous diet. This versatile feeding apparatus would have allowed it to eat a variety of foods including fruits, seeds, small animals, and insects. Its long neck and flexible skull made it well-adapted for ground-level foraging as well as reaching higher vegetation.

Two species are recognised: the type species O. velox and O. edmontonicus. Fossil evidence shows these theropods lived in herds, providing safety in numbers against the large predators that shared their environment, including tyrannosaurs and dromaeosaurs.

What made Ornithomimus distinctive?

Ornithomimus had a small, toothless beak, long ostrich-like neck, and powerful running legs. Its body was covered in feathers and it possessed long arms with three-fingered hands ending in sharp claws.

Behaviour

Ornithomimus likely lived in herds for protection against predators, using their exceptional speed to escape danger. They were probably active foragers, using their flexible necks to search for food both on the ground and in low vegetation.

Fun Facts About Ornithomimus

Ornithomimus could run at speeds of up to 60 kilometres per hour, making it one of the fastest dinosaurs known
Despite having no teeth, Ornithomimus had a powerful gizzard like modern birds to help grind up tough plant material
Ornithomimus was one of the first dinosaurs discovered to have had feathers covering its entire body
The brain of Ornithomimus was relatively large for its body size, suggesting it was quite intelligent
Ornithomimus had excellent eyesight and could probably see in colour, helping it spot both food and predators

Ornithomimus in Popular Culture

Ornithomimus has appeared in various dinosaur documentaries and educational programmes, often showcased for its remarkable speed and bird-like appearance.

Discovery

Ornithomimus was first described by Othniel Charles Marsh in 1890. The original fossils were discovered at Denver Formation, Colorado, USA.

Ornithomimus FAQ

What did Ornithomimus eat?

Ornithomimus was an omnivore with a varied diet. Its toothless beak was perfect for eating fruits, seeds, leaves, small animals, insects, and possibly eggs. Like modern ostriches, it likely swallowed stones to help grind food in its gizzard.

How big was Ornithomimus?

Ornithomimus stood about 2 metres tall at the hip, measured 4 metres in total length, and weighed approximately 170 kilograms. This made it roughly the size of a large ostrich but considerably longer due to its tail.

When did Ornithomimus live?

Ornithomimus lived during the Late Cretaceous period, specifically during the Campanian and Maastrichtian ages, between 83.6 and 72.2 million years ago.

Where was Ornithomimus found?

Ornithomimus fossils have been discovered across western North America, particularly in formations in Colorado, Alberta, and other parts of the American Midwest and western Canada.

How do you pronounce Ornithomimus?

Ornithomimus is pronounced 'or-NITH-oh-MY-mus', with the emphasis on the third syllable 'MY'.

What does Ornithomimus mean?

Ornithomimus means 'bird mimic' in Greek, referring to its striking resemblance to modern flightless birds like ostriches and emus.

How fast could Ornithomimus run?

Ornithomimus could reach speeds of up to 60 kilometres per hour. Its long, powerful legs and lightweight build made it one of the fastest dinosaurs, essential for escaping large predators.

What type of dinosaur was Ornithomimus?

Ornithomimus was a theropod dinosaur, specifically a member of the family Ornithomimidae. Despite being a theropod (traditionally carnivorous dinosaurs), it was actually omnivorous.

Was Ornithomimus related to birds?

Yes, as a theropod dinosaur, Ornithomimus was closely related to birds. In fact, birds are direct descendants of theropod dinosaurs, and Ornithomimus shared many bird-like features including feathers and a toothless beak.

How many Ornithomimus fossils have been found?

Several well-preserved Ornithomimus specimens have been discovered, including some nearly complete skeletons. Recent finds have even preserved evidence of feathers, providing crucial insights into its appearance and biology.