Avimimus

Name Origin

Bird Mimic

Family

Avimimidae

Classification

Diapsida, Saurischia, Theropoda

Habitat (Discovery Location)

Mongolia

Period

Approximately 70 million years ago (Late Cretaceous)

Length

Approximately 1.5 meters

Weight

Approximately 15 kilograms

Diet

Carnivore or Omnivore

Description

Avimimus was a member of the bird-like dinosaur group known as oviraptorosaurs, which lived in Mongolia during the Late Cretaceous period.
Its name, meaning “bird mimic,” was given because it was initially thought to be the closest ancestor of birds when it was first discovered.

Distinctive Head and Incredible Speed

Avimimus is known for having a small, rounded head and a very large brain.
It is believed to have had a mechanism to protect its high intelligence, and with its very large eyes, it is thought to have survived the dog-eat-dog world by using these features as weapons.

Furthermore, its neck and hind legs were very long, and its long hind legs, in particular, rank it among the fastest dinosaurs.
It likely used its speed to run across semi-arid regions and catch prey.
Its lightweight body is also thought to have contributed to this speed.

Diet and the Mystery of Feathers

Avimimus had a sharp, sturdy beak instead of teeth.
While it was initially believed to be toothless, like birds, recent research has found that it had a few very small teeth in the back of its beak.
It is thought to have primarily eaten plants, but it may have also eaten small animals, suggesting an omnivorous diet.

It is also known to have had feathers, but it is believed that it could not fly.
The feathers of Avimimus may have been used for thermoregulation or for display (such as mating rituals).

With its unique appearance and high intelligence, Avimimus was truly a “bird-like dinosaur” that lived a tough life in its ecosystem.