The discovery in 1924 of a Protoceratops egg nest not far from a small carnivorous dinosaur seemed to justify the name “Oviraptor”, wich means “egg thief”, given to the intruder (More recently it is thought that Oviraptor was actually found guarding its own eggs).

This dinosaur, whose skeletons are rarely found intact and in good condition, has a skull similar to those of parrots, with a large crest over a nasal zone, withouth teeth but provided with a strong beak.The jaws are arched, with a powerful muscular system that enabled the animal to shatter the bones of its prey.