Psittacosaurus mongliensis
"Psittacosaurus" (Greek psittakos = "parrot" + Greek saurus = "lizard")
Size: 2 meters (7 feet)
Period: Early Cretaceous (119 million to 97.5 million years ago)
Place: Mongolia, China, Thailand
One of the early Ceratopians (the family of horned creatures
which later evolved to include the more popular Triceratops),
these "old-timers" have won a special place in the hearts
of the visitors. These two-legged runners feature a square skull
and a powerful (albeit toothless) "beak." The Psittacosaurus
can make limited use of its four-fingered hands, especially where
gathering food is concerned.
Environment: These beasts prefer the forest where edible foliage is abundant. The nearby T-Rex, however, has sent many a skittish Psittacosaurus running for the semi-arid areas.
Feeding: These toothless vegetarians make ample use of their powerful beaks, feasting on whatever foliage is available.
Habits:
Harmless, toothless and guileless, these geriatric-looking beasts come
closer to actual friendliness than any other dinosaur in the park.
While nervous around the other animals, they have taken quite
an affinity to people, often approaching the boats.
Ops Notes: While more interesting dinosaurs have since been created, these early efforts have proven their staying power, consistently remaining one of the favorite attractions in the Ride. One InGen rumor directly attributes their continued survival to their charisma. According to legend, Hammond was considering "pulling the plug" on the Psittacosaurus until he caught wind of their popularity.