Dinosaur Eggs from Asia

All fossils here were posted on e-bay and came from the Cretaceous Period Asia (65 mya). An interesting note, the naming convention is different than you probably expected because dinosaur eggs are classified by their own genus and species based solely on shell size, shape, texture, thickness, pore type, and pore density -- and is completely independent of the dinosaur species suspected of having laid them. This allows for categorizing and study of the many types of eggs without having to make tenuous links to a certain type of dinosaur -- which in most cases is nearly impossible to do because of the rarity of fossilized late-term embryonic bones within the shells. Click the photo to enlarge.

Cretaceous period over 65 million years old Found in: Xixia Basin, Henan Province, China Species: Therizinosaur or Segnosaur Good quality dinosaur egg nest in original matrix. has parts of 7th, 8th and 9th egg. Dimensions: Each egg is approximately 3.5" across (8.9cm)

Cretaceous period 97.5 - 88.3 million years old Found in: China-Mongolia border region Species: Therizinosaur or Segnosaur Excellent quality large dinosaur egg nest in original matrix. Dimensions: 13.25 inches x 9.75 inches wide x 5 inches high. Weight: 25 pounds.

Cretaceous period over 65 million years old Found in: Xixia Basin, Henan Province, China Species: Therizinosaur or Segnosaur Excellent quality large dinosaur egg nest in original matrix. Dimensions: Each egg is approximately 3.5" across (8.9cm)

Cretaceous period over 65 million years old Found in: Xixia Basin, Henan Province, China Species: Therizinosaur or Segnosaur Excellent quality large dinosaur egg nest in original matrix. Dimensions: 15.75 inches x 11 inches wide x 4.75 inches high. Weight: 36 pounds.

Cretaceous period 70 million years old Found in: Barun Goyot Formation of Mongolia Species: Segnosaur Good quality dinosaur egg nest in original matrix, has parts of 7th, 8th and 9th egg. Dimensions: Each egg is approximately 2.75" across and the clutch weighs 20.5 lbs. The entire piece measures 9.5 inches by 10 inches and 5.75 inches high. Family: DENDROOLITHIDAE - Tthese small to medium-size eggs are spherical to slightly oval, and in a nest are arranged irregularly in a single layer. The eggshell has a dendrospherulitic morphotype, meaning that the shell units in thin section are irregularly shaping, branching fans. Three-dimensionally, the shell units are irregular, branching columns like a tree (which is what gave the eggshell its name). The pores are widely scattered over the surface. These eggs contain the spectacular embryos thought to be of Segnosaur. Genus: DENDROOLITHUS - The characteristics that define this genus are the same as those that define the family. The reason is that there is only one genus in the family. Three species have been named based on egg shape, egg size, surface texture, and shell thickness. Species: DENDROOLITHUS MICROPOROSUS - Described by Mikhailov in 1994. The eggs are 2.25" in diameter, and with a shell 2 - 2.7 mm thick. Unlike the other two species in this genus, the surface is smooth. From the Upper Cretaceous Barun Goyot Formation of Mongolia.

Late Cretaceous period, roughly 84 to 71 million years old Found in: Xixia Basin, Henan Province, China Species: From a Hadrosaurid dinosaur, and possibly the Saurolophus species Dimensions: Each egg has an average circumference of 18.5" (the high end of the size range for this species), and the fossil weighs 18 lbs. The entire piece measures 6.5" wide, 10.5" long, and 5.5" high. Family: DENDROOLITHIDAE PARATAXONOMIC Genus: DENDROOLITHUS Species: DENDROOLITHUS

Late Cretaceous period, roughly 84 to 71 million years old Found in: Xixia Basin, Henan Province, China Species: From a Hadrosaurid dinosaur, and possibly the Saurolophus species Dimensions: This Hadrosaur nest measures 14.5 inches wide, 18 inches long, stands 5.5 inches deep, and has a four foot circumference (49.75 inches). It weighs 58 pounds. Family: DENDROOLITHIDAE PARATAXONOMIC Genus: DENDROOLITHUS Species: DENDROOLITHUS

Late Cretaceous period, roughly 84 to 71 million years old Found in: Xixia Basin, Henan Province, China Species: From a Hadrosaurid dinosaur, and possibly the Saurolophus species Dimensions: This 13 egg Hadrosaur nest is 18 inches wide, 25 inches long, stands 7 inches high, and has a circumference of 69 inches around. The specimen weighs 89 pounds. Family: DENDROOLITHIDAE PARATAXONOMIC Genus: DENDROOLITHUS Species: DENDROOLITHUS

Late Cretaceous period, roughly 84 to 71 million years old Found in: Xixia Basin, Henan Province, China Species: From a Hadrosaurid dinosaur, and possibly the Saurolophus species Dimensions: Each egg has an average circumference of 18" (average length per egg is 6"), and the fossil weighs 320 lbs. The entire piece measures 24" wide, 44" long, and 8" high. Family: DENDROOLITHIDAE PARATAXONOMIC Genus: DENDROOLITHUS Species: DENDROOLITHUS

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