For over a century, people believed that dinosaurs were simply brutal animals incapable of caring for their offspring. However, starting in the 1970s and 1980s, archaeological discoveries revealed that dinosaurs also exhibited more complex social behaviors. Maiasaura, a herbivorous dinosaur that lived approximately 77 million years ago, has a name derived from Greek and Latin meaning "good mother."
The fossil deposits of Maiasaura provide clear evidence of parental care.
A study published in Scientific Reports last October went further, stating that dinosaurs that lived 193 million years ago were already living in groups and breeding offspring.
Barrett stated, "We are now able to understand dinosaurs more deeply, knowing that at least some dinosaurs would take care of their offspring, while others would not."
Digiacmo stated that some dinosaurs could "take care of themselves."
"Some species of dinosaurs are believed to have parental care behavior. In fact, a dinosaur called the Fire Dragon was nicknamed 'Big Mama' because fossils of it incubating eggs in its nest were found."
