Oviraptor

Oviraptor was a carnivore which lived in the late cretaceous period. Less fearsome in appearance than other carnivores it's size, it was still a predator to be feared. It possessed a small beak which, although not impressive to look at, was capable of a powerful bite. Oviraptor also had long, slim legs, which allowed it to cover the ground at great speeds.

The first discovery of oviraptor was in the Gobi Desert (1923). It was found alongside the remains of protoceratops and suspected protoceratops eggs. This discovery led to the name oviraptor, or 'egg thief'. It was not until many years later that scientists were able to analyse eggs found in the same area and discover that they in fact belonged to oviraptor. Instead of stealing the eggs of others, oviraptor was in fact protecting their own.

These eggs were also the first fossilised eggs ever to be found and attributed to dinosaurs.