Second in a series meant to convey information and spark interest in all things dinosaurian.
Troodon (a Greek work for 'WoundingTooth') was a relatively small Theropod from the Late Cretaceous period (75-65 million years ago) whose sole discovery was based upon a single tooth found in the 1850s. After over a hundred years of analysis, the genus Stenonychosaurus was found to be one and the same--the two have been mostly merged as one genus in modern paleontological thought, although the exact classification is still up in the air as more discoveries are made (a common trend in paleontology).
Troodon finds are exceptionally rare.
It was thought to be primarily a carnivore, though some studies of its teeth have suggested that the more southernly based Troodons held an omnivorous diet, feasting on assorted plants, insects, and meat. Troodon finds made in what is now Alaska lend support to the idea that it grew to larger sizes in the area due to lack of competition from Tyrannosaurs (which most paleontologists believe to be the Apex predator of the late Creteaceous--though Jack Horner, who I'll be working with this coming fall, states that Tyrannosaurus was primarily a scavenger--I'll discuss this ongoing debate and a few other facts in a couple weeks).
Study of the teeth of this Troodon group suggest that it primarily fed on meat--not adaptable for tough plant fibers.
A group of nests found by Jack Horner in the early 80s has somewhat recently (late 90s) been classified as belonging to Troodons--analysis and study of the nests have shown similarities in brooding habits between the Troodons and both modern day crocodiles and birds (which I think is no surprise, given that the creatures hold many traits found in both!). Characteristics include having a pair of Oviducts due to the pairing of each set of eggs within the nest, and having advanced body development upon hatching (possibly to the point of near-immediate departure when born).
Other dinosaurs have been found to have much more advanced and social-based brooding behavior (of which, Maiosaura is probably the most famous).
Next week, Utahraptor--one of my personal favorites!