Mesozoic Earth - Psittacosaurus and pond

Location Asia 130 million years ago Mean atmospheric O₂ 150% of modern level Mean atmospheric CO₂ 6x pre-industrial level Mean temperature 4°C above modern level		Geologic Time Scale Era: Mesozoic Period: Cretaceous Epoch: Early Age: Barremian

	Psittacosaurus and pond An Early Cretaceous psittacosaurid ceratopsian dinosaur of the genus Psittacosaurus prepares to dine on a scrubland cycad 130 million years ago in what is today central Asia. Psittacosaurus was one of the earliest known ceratopsians, a family of horned, frilled dinosaurs that includes the better known Triceratops. Psittacosaurus was about 3 to 6 feet long and weighed 50 to 175 pounds, depending on species. At least one species had long, quill-like structures on its tail and lower back. With a parrot-like beak it is believed that Psittacosaurus was a plant-eater.