Dinosaurs were not only big and tough, but some of them were also really good moms! Let me introduce you to Maiasaura, the state fossil of Montana. This dinosaur has taught us a lot about how dinosaurs cared for their babies.
Before scientists discovered Maiasaura, they weren’t sure if dinosaurs took care of their young. But then, they found fossils of Maiasaura dinosaurs along with eggs and young dinosaurs all together. This special place is believed to have been a dinosaur nursery.
Parent Maiasaura dinosaurs made their nests close to each other and took care of their babies once they hatched. It might have looked like a big Maiasaura neighborhood with lots of families living together. The name “Maiasaura” even means “good mother lizard,” which shows how caring these dinosaurs were.
Thanks to Maiasaura, we can learn more about how dinosaurs and many animals today act as parents. This discovery helps us understand that even long ago, some creatures were dedicated to taking care of their young, just like many animals do now.
Build Your Own Dinosaur Nest: Gather some materials like leaves, twigs, and small stones from your backyard or a nearby park. Try to create a nest just like the Maiasaura might have done. Think about how you would keep the eggs safe and warm. Once you’ve built your nest, imagine you are a Maiasaura parent. How would you take care of your baby dinosaurs?
Dinosaur Family Drawing: Draw a picture of a Maiasaura family in their neighborhood of nests. Include the parent dinosaurs, the nests, and the baby dinosaurs. Think about what the neighborhood might have looked like. Share your drawing with a friend or family member and explain how Maiasaura dinosaurs took care of their young.
Observation Walk: Go on a walk with a grown-up and look for animals that are taking care of their young. You might see birds feeding their chicks or a cat with her kittens. How do these animals remind you of the Maiasaura? Talk about what you see and how it relates to what you learned about dinosaur parenting.
