We tend to think of dinosaurs as fierce and scary, partly because the word ‘dinosaur’ means ‘terrible lizard’, and partly because of how they’re portrayed in films and stories. Indeed, many dinosaur attractions in the UK capitalise on these creatures’ size and ferocity to draw in crowds. But even the most terrifying dinosaurs had a softer side - after all, they had to make sure their babies could survive in a harsh and competitive world. Here’s what we know about how dinosaurs cared for their young.

Different approaches

The dinosaurs of the Triassic period (252-201 million years ago) probably laid soft-shelled eggs in large clutches, burying them and then leaving them to fend for themselves. Much like sea turtles, there would have been no parental care at all, and the hatchlings’ survival was left to chance. 

Over time, different branches of dinosaurs are thought to have evolved, with some still burying their eggs and others sitting on them. Scientists have found evidence that strongly suggests at least some of the dinosaurs in the Cretaceous period (145-65 million years ago) sat on their eggs until the babies hatched and played a role in raising them. 

Incubating eggs

The emu-sized Citipati is widely thought to have kept its eggs warm by sitting on them. In 1995, a fossil of a mother Citipati incubating her eggs was uncovered, showing that by the Late Cretaceous there were some dinosaurs that cared for their young. Others may have laid their eggs in pairs, carefully burying each pair in a single nest over a period of days or weeks. This has raised the suggestion that even though they didn’t brood, these dinosaurs stayed close by for a while to keep their eye on their eggs.

But what about the dinosaurs that were so big they may have crushed their fragile eggs? It’s thought that the Gigantoraptor, which weighed around 1,000kg, may have arranged its eggs in a ring around itself so that it could incubate them without sitting directly on them. 

Beyond the shell

There is debate over how much care dinosaurs gave their young once they had hatched. Some, such as the sauropods, are thought to have abandoned their eggs, leaving survival of their young to chance. Others, like Maiasaura, actively raised their babies. In 1978 a nest of fossilised baby dinosaur bones was found. The young dinos were too developed to be newly hatched, indicating that their mother fed and protected them at least for the first few months of their lives. 

Others, such as Alamosaurus, were thought to band together as young dinosaurs, moving around together for protection. These youngsters essentially had to fend for themselves until they grew too big to be a tasty snack for a theropod. 

Discover dinosaurs at Dinosaur World Live

If you’re searching for ‘dinosaur attractions near me’ this season, don’t miss Dinosaur World Live. Currently touring the UK, it uses beautifully detailed puppetry to tell the story of some of our best-loved dinosaurs. It’s also aimed at children, making it one of the best family things to do in the UK for preschoolers who love the prehistoric. Book your tickets today.