Fossilised nest shows some dinosaurs sat on their eggs like birds do

By Michael Le Page

Shundong Bi et al

A fossilised oviraptor found on top of a clutch of eggs confirms that at least some dinosaurs sat on or near their eggs to keep them warm as birds do. The eggs contain late-stage embryos that developed at temperatures of up to 38°C.

There is already strong evidence that some dinosaurs brooded eggs like birds do. Several fossils of adult oviraptors – a bird-like dinosaur that was around 2 metres long, including its tail – have been found on or near clutches of eggs. …