A Troodon may be small, but its mouth of razor-sharp teeth packs a powerful bite. The Troodon lived in the grassy areas of Montana during the late Cretaceous period almost 100 million years ago. It ate small mammals and reptiles and had unique bird-like features.
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Some Quick Facts About the Troodon
| Name | Troodon formosus, “wound tooth” |
| Type of dinosaur | Theropoda |
| Territory | Grassy Plains and wetlands, North America (Montana) |
| Size | Small, 3 feet tall, 8 feet long, 110 pounds |
| Color | Green and brown |
| Interesting Characteristics | Formerly called Stenonychosaurus, was one of the first North American dinosaurs discovered |
| Diet | Smaller mammals, and reptiles, sometimes plants |
| Major Threats | Natural disasters, larger theropods |
The Troodon wasn’t the biggest dinosaur of the Cretaceous period, but it was one of the smartest! Remains of the Troodon reveal that it had a skull that was large in probation to its body and narrow-set eyes that were perfect for hunting. As a cold-weather dino, it lived in North America in Alberta, Alaska, and parts of the Northern United States.
What is a Troodon?
The Troodon is a small bird-like dinosaur that lived in North America during the late Cretaceous period. Interestingly, paleontologists believe this dino was surprisingly intelligent. The size of its skull compared to the rest of its body led many to believe this dinosaur was about as smart as a chicken. A deadly chicken with razor-sharp teeth and binocular vision!
Is Troodon Still a Valid Dinosaur?
Yes, the Troodon is still a valid dinosaur. It was one of the first dinosaurs discovered in North America. Still, paleontologists only found one tooth in the Judith River Formation and formed the entire species of Troodon from a single tooth.
As more bones popped up in the Dinosaur Park Formation in Alberta, Canada, the shape of the Troodon started to form slowly. Many classified the bones in Alberta as the Stenonychosaurus, but today those fossil remains are considered the bones of a Troodon.
Was a Troodon the Smartest Dinosaur?
The Troodon is considered one of the smartest dinos ever to live! In the late Cretaceous, it was rare for small dinosaurs like the Troodon to survive with colossal titans like the T-Rex and other carnivorous dinosaurs.
Paleontologists believe that the large brain of the Troodon gave it an edge to outsmart larger predators and was able to survive with such fierce predators lurking about. The sheer size of its skull cavity compared to its body size leads paleontology to believe that this theropod dinosaur was super smart.
What are the Differences Between Troodon and Other Dinosaurs?
| Binocular vision | Larger eyes, placed in the front of its head |
| Very large family | Troodontids species contains various dinos, all of which have similar features |
| Didn’t mind the cold | Many Troodon fossils popped up in cooler climates |
The Troodon had a smaller theropod frame, but several features made it stand out from other dinosaurs. Here are some of the most significant Troodon’s features:
- Binocular vision. Like modern birds, the Troodon had binocular vision. Its eyes were positioned on the front of its head and were much larger than other dinosauroid of the time. Its large eyes allowed it to spot prey (or predators) at a very long distance and slowly move in to strike!
- Troodon has a very large family. The species of Troodontids comprise a large family of unique dinosaurs that span from Alaska to the Hell Creek Formation to New Mexico. Troodontids all have similar features (large brains, wide eyes, smaller frames) but could be their own dinosaur species, given enough research.
- Troodon didn’t mind the cold. While most theropods preferred warm, sunny locations, the Troodon didn’t mind the cold weather.
What Did the Troodon Eat?
The Troodon was both an herbivore and a carnivore. Dinos that eat both plants and animals are omnivores. With its razor-sharp teeth and close-set eyes (perfect for hunting), the Troodon likely dined on mostly smaller mammals and reptiles. However, some paleontologists believe the Troodon ate seeds and berries to supplement their diet.
How Could the Troodon Hunt Successfully?
The Troodon may have been small, but it had a few tricks up its sleeve to hunt down its prey. Two features of the Troodon made it a successful hunter: binocular vision and razor-sharp teeth. The Troodon had very large eyes positioned in the front of its head.
The position of its eyes allowed it to spot a potential dinner in front of it and from a surprisingly long distance. Once spotted, the Troodon would silently stalk its prey, waiting for the perfect moment to strike.
Why Did the Troodon Go Extinct?
As a late Cretaceous dino, the Troodon was another victim of the great extinction event 65 million years ago. This extinction even took out fifty perfect plants and animals on the earth, including the T-Rex, Velociraptor, Pachyrhinosaurus, Pectinodon, and sadly the Troodon.
While it’s an unpopular option, paleontologist Dale Russell believed the world would be very different if the Troodon survived the great extinction. He thought the Troodon was so intelligent that if it survived and evolved over the next 65 million years, it would have evolved into a species smarter than humans!