How to Recognize Eggshell

Shape

• Semi-rounded or semi-spherical

• Elongated oval

• Perfect sphere and more

• Out here, the Maiasaura eggs are semi-spherical and oval in shape

• Troodon eggs are shaped more like an elongated oval

• Theropods tend to have eggs in the shape of elongated ovals

• Herbivores, like Maiasaura, tend to have eggs more spherical in shape

Texture

• Can have bumps and ridges

• Can have small pits or be almost perfectly smooth

Color

• They come in many colors

• Out here we tend to see black eggshell

Size

• Size can vary

• Out here we have seen eggs the size of cantaloupe (whole egg)

• A fraction of a millimeter in thickness

Example of eggs found out here

Maiasaura eggshell

• (A) Troodon;

• (B) probably hadrosaurian;

• (C) unidentified egg-layer