In a remarkable discovery, paleontologists have unearthed the remains of 24 juvenile dinosaurs from the Psittacosaurus species, accompanied by the Naka of an older individual, suggesting a unique caretaking scenario dating back approximately 120 million years. This finding sheds light on the social behaviors exhibited by these ancient reptiles, hinting at potential social structures within dinosaur communities.

The fossils were found in northeastern China’s Liaoning province, a region renowned for its wealth of dinosaur remains, including feathered dinosaurs. The site where these fossils were discovered is considered one of the most significant in dinosaur paleontology and has yielded numerous groundbreaking discoveries over the past two decades.

The group of juvenile Psittacosaurs, measuring about 6 inches in length, displayed well-developed bones, indicating that they had already hatched and were capable of movement. Surprisingly, the skeletons were found in close proximity to the remains of an older Psittacosaurus individual, believed to be around 4 to 5 years old. This older dinosaur, significantly larger than the juveniles, was found in the same rock layer as the young specimens, suggesting a potential caretaking or protective role.

Lead study author Brandon Hedrick described the fossil as one of the most exquisite dinosaur specimens known to date. The Psittacosaurus species, early relatives of the famous horned dinosaurs like Triceratops, belonged to a diverse ecosystem where they were preyed upon by various predators, including small theropod dinosaurs and even fossil mammals.

Although it remains uncertain whether the older Psittacosaurus directly cared for the young individuals, researchers speculate that it may have served as a babysitter or guardian figure. Such behavior, akin to helper behavior seen in certain contemporary bird species, is a rare occurrence among living dinosaurs, constituting only a small percentage of bird species.

Microscopic analysis of the surrounding volcanic material indicated that the dinosaurs might have been engulfed in a lahar, a volcanic mudflow, during an eruption. While the absence of heat damage to the bones suggests a non-catastrophic event, further investigations are planned to determine the exact nature of the interaction between the juvenile and adult dinosaurs.

As research progresses, scientists aim to delve deeper into the developmental stages of the young Psittacosaurs to ascertain whether they were at similar growth phases. By unraveling the mysteries surrounding these ancient fossils, researchers hope to gain insights into the social dynamics and potential caretaking behaviors of long-extinct dinosaur species.