Montana Is Famous For Its Dinosaurs

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While many Montanans know Montana was home to dinosaurs eons ago, few realize important dinosaur discoveries here have provided information to researchers worldwide. Here are some dinosaur firsts compiled by Jack Horner, curator of paleontology at the Museum of the Rockies in Bozeman.

 

?          Dinosaur remains have been found in 48 of Montana’s 56 counties.

?          Dinosaur species first found in Montana (several others have been discovered but not yet named):

Tyrannosaurus

Pachycephalosaurus

Troodon

Brachyceratops

Avaceratops

Deinonychus

Tenontosaurus

Microvenator

Sauropelta

Maiasaura

Orodromeus

Einiosaurus

Achelousaurus

Montanaceratops

Bambiraptor

 

?          Deinonychus (a.k.a. Velociraptor in Jurassic Park) provided the first

indication that dinosaurs gave rise to birds.

?          Maiasaura provided the first indication that dinosaurs cared for their young.

?          Troodon eggs from Montana were the first to yield a dinosaur embryo.

 

Montana’s popular “dinosaur” parks are Makoshika and Hell Creek State Parks.