Troodon: An Omnivorous Dinosaur With a Big Brain

The theropod dinosaur Troodon has fossils hinting at something special: intelligence.

With a relatively large brain for its size, Troodon is often considered one of the most intelligent dinosaurs to have ever existed. Its brain-to-body ratio was larger than that of many other carnivorous dinosaurs, suggesting advanced behaviors and problem-solving skills.

The behavior Troodon exhibited likely included keen hunting strategies and possibly social interaction. Fossil evidence suggests it had large, forward-facing eyes, giving it excellent depth perception — perfect for stalking prey.

Here's where it gets really interesting: Troodon wasn't strictly a carnivore like many of its theropod cousins.

With teeth that bear prominent serrations but are less robust than those of the most carnivorous dinosaurs, scientists believe Troodon had a possibly omnivorous diet. This means it might have eaten both meat and plants, adapting its diet to survive in diverse environments.

In habitats like the Dinosaur Park Formation, where Troodon fossils have been found, this dinosaur would have coexisted with herbivorous dinosaurs and herbivorous reptiles. Troodon's diet may have included small animals, insects and vegetation, making it a flexible feeder.

Its teeth, with their unique shape and a wounding tooth for slicing, gave it the ability to process a variety of foods. This adaptability likely gave Troodon an edge over its more specialized competitors.

In the ecosystems it called home, the wild Troodon was a versatile and cunning predator. Unlike other dinosaurs, it wasn't limited to just one type of prey. Troodon utilizes sacrifices of smaller prey and plants to sustain itself, showing a level of ecological adaptability that helped it thrive.

Compared to herbivorous dinosaurs, Troodon's agility and intelligence allowed it to avoid larger predators and take advantage of opportunities to hunt or forage.

This dinosaur wasn't a brute force hunter like some theropods; instead, it relied on stealth, speed and strategy to survive. Its role as a possibly omnivorous feeding habit contributor to the ecosystem helped balance the prehistoric food web.

From its sharp mind to its versatile diet, Troodon possesses a fascinating combination of traits that set it apart from both herbivorous dinosaurs continues and the most carnivorous dinosaurs of its time.

With fossils discovered in iconic sites, Troodon remains a shining example of how complex and adaptable dinosaurs could be. So next time you're thinking about prehistoric life, give a shoutout to Troodon — the clever, omnivorous and resourceful dinosaur that continues to teach us about the ancient world.

We created this article in conjunction with AI technology, then made sure it was fact-checked and edited by a HowStuffWorks editor.