Early Cretaceous

Asia Barremian - Albian

The most common fossils are the Psittacosaurus species from southern Siberia to northern China, or possibly as far south as Thailand. The Psittacosaurus fauna contains:  the theropods  Kelmayisaurus, Phaedrolosaurus, Tugulusaurus, iguanodont Probactrosaurus, stegosaur  Wuerhosaurus and protoceratopsids Microceratops and Psittacosaurus.

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CollectA Popular Psittacosaurus Psittacosaurus is one of the best-known dinosaurs, as is its later relative Protoceratops. Psittacosaurus were gazelle-sized bipedal herbivores characterized by a high, powerful beak on the upper jaw. At least one species had long, quill-like structures on its tail and lower back.

 

A Psittacosaurus from Starlux and a Garudimimus I cast from a retail mold.As many as 90% of the fossils found at some sites are from Psittacosaurus (Parrot Lizard), providing us with multiple complete Psittacosaurus  skeletons.  Not a large dinosaur; at about 6 feet it is the earliest known relative of the ceratopsians (Protoceratops and Triceratops).  Garudimimus is older than Gallimimus, with 4 toes and horns or a crest above the eyes.  It lived in the early part of the Late Cretaceous.

The Carnegie Safari Psittacosaurus 1/10 scale, part of a trend at Safari to represent smaller dinosaurs in a bigger scale than the 1/40 scale. This figure was retired unusually quickly.Psittacosaurus is considered by some to be the probable ancestor of the horned dinosaurs. It had a small, high, narrow skull, with relatively few cheek teeth. The eyes and nostrils were high on the
sides of the head, with short bony spikes jutting back from the sides of its head. Some had a small nasal horn. It had 4 long fingers on each hand. Evidence of parental care exists in the form of an adult surrounded by 34 youngsters.

 

Psittacosaurus, from the Oriental Trading Company. It is a rare figure, possibly because of name Iguanodon stamped it. Getting the names correct is a common problem with many figures made in China.As many as 90% of the fossils found at some sites are from Psittacosaurus (Parrot Lizard), providing us with multiple complete Psittacosaurus  skeletons.  Not a large dinosaur; at about 6 feet it is the earliest known relative of the ceratopsians (Protoceratops and Triceratops).  It is one of the best-known dinosaurs, as is its later relative Protoceratops. Eleven species have been referred to the genus Psittacosaurus.

CollectA Popular Wuerhosaurus Wuerhosaurus was one of the last stegosaurs known, but is based on fragmentary remains.  Stegosaurs die out in the Early Cretaceous everywhere, possibly from competition with new types of armored dinosaurs.

Koreaceratops Popular CollectAKoreaceratops is a basal ceratopsian dinosaur discovered from South Korea. It is notable for the tall neural spines on its vertebrae. In some of the vertebrae, the neural spines are over five times the height of the vertebral centra to which they attach.