2.3" Ornithopod Dinosaur (Thescelosaurus) Tail Vertebra - Montana

This is a 2.3" fossil ornithopod (Thescelosaurus), caudal (tail) centrum from the Hell Creek Formation in Montana. It has areas of restoration but overall is in good condition. This is the centrum of the vertebra. The vertebral arch with the processes is missing.

Thescelosaurus was a small ornithopod dinosaur that appeared at the very end of the Late Cretaceous period in North America. The preservation and completeness of many of its specimens indicate that it may have preferred to live near streams. This bipedal ornithopod is known from several partial skeletons and skulls that indicate it grew to between 2.5 and 4.0 meters (8.2 to 13.1 ft) in length on average. It had sturdy hind limbs, small wide hands, and a head with an elongate pointed snout. The form of the teeth and jaws suggest a primarily herbivorous animal.