Caenagnathus

† Caenagnathus was a large oviraptorosaurian theropod from the Late Cretaceous of Canada, among the largest caenagnathids known. Known primarily from lower jaw material found in the Horseshoe Canyon Formation of Alberta, it possessed a toothless beak suited to an omnivorous diet. Historical confusion surrounded its classification — it was initially thought to be a bird — before being recognized as a theropod dinosaur closely related to North American giant oviraptorosaurs.

Diet & Feeding

Omnivore

Caenagnathus had a varied diet that included both plants and animals. Omnivorous dinosaurs were versatile feeders, able to exploit multiple food sources, which gave them an advantage in changing environments.

Time Period

Cretaceous Late Mesozoic Era

Caenagnathus lived during the Cretaceous Late period of the Mesozoic Era, approximately 100.5 to 66.0 million years ago.

The final age of dinosaurs, featuring iconic species like Tyrannosaurus rex, Triceratops, and Velociraptor. Dinosaurs reached their peak diversity before the catastrophic asteroid impact at the Chicxulub crater ended the Mesozoic Era.