When the prototype (or first) oviraptor fossil was found, it was alongside what was mis-identified as a protoceratops nest. It was thought that this dinosaur was raiding that nest and labeled it “oviraptor” which means “egg thief”. Subsequent discoveries confirmed that the nest was not being preyed upon but rather an oviraptor nest. This artifact comes from the Hell Creek formation of Montana which dates to the end of the Mesozoic Era around 66 million years ago. These dinosaurs ranged in size from that of a modern-day turkey to larger specimens growing up to 8 meters (26 feet) long. It is a member of the Caenagnathidae, a subgroup of Oviraptosaurs that lacked teeth and instead had beaklike jaws.
