Thescelosaurus Tooth-Montana 01

 Taxa: Thescelosaurus sp.

Geology: Hell Creek formation

Age: Cretaceous-Maastrichtian

Locality: Garfield County, Montana

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Thescelosaurus

Thescelosaurus was a small, bipedal herbivorous dinosaur that lived during the Late Cretaceous period, around 75 million years ago. It was a member of the Ornithischia group, specifically within the Hypsilophodontidae family. Thescelosaurus had a slender body, long legs, and a relatively long tail, built for speed and agility. It was likely herbivorous or omnivorous, feeding on plants, seeds, and possibly small invertebrates. Fossils of Thescelosaurus have been found in North America, particularly in regions like Montana and South Dakota, indicating it lived in a variety of environments, including coastal and floodplain areas. Its relatively small size and fast-running abilities may have helped it evade larger predators.

Hell Creek formation

The Hell Creek Formation is a geologic formation in North America, primarily spanning Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota, and Wyoming. It dates to the Late Cretaceous period, around 66 million years ago, and is famous for its rich fossil record, including dinosaurs like Tyrannosaurus rex, Triceratops, and Edmontosaurus. It also contains evidence of the Cretaceous-Paleogene (K-Pg) extinction event, including an iridium layer associated with the asteroid impact that contributed to the mass extinction of non-avian dinosaurs. The formation also preserves fossils of plants, mammals, fish, and reptiles, providing valuable insights into prehistoric ecosystems.