2" Theropod (Ornithomimus?) Caudal Vertebra - Judith River Formation

Ornithomimus was a swift bipedal theropod that slightly resembled an ostrich: fossil evidence suggests that it was covered in feathers. It had a small toothless beak and clawed front appendages, indicating an omnivorous diet that likely included leaves, insects, fruits, and small mammals or lizards. It is estimated that they could reach upwards of 30 miles per hour (50 kilometers per hour).

The Judith River Formation is one of the world's most prolific sources of Late Cretaceous vertebrate fossils. At least sixteen Orders containing more than forty Genera are known from the formation. These include fish, amphibians, mammals, and insects in addition to reptiles and avian (birds) and non-avian dinosaurs. Among the more interesting specimens is Leonardo, a mummified and fossilized Brachylophosaurus. This is a hadrosaur, a duck-billed dinosaur found with amazing soft-tissue preservation: skin impressions can be found on 90 percent of its body! The pattern in the skin on its feet is even preserved. In addition to Leonardo, the Judith River Formation contains the remains of the theropod Hesperornis, the only known freshwater Hespernorthid, a penguin-like bird.