IDAHO—Idaho has designated Oryctodromeus as the state dinosaur of Idaho after the designation was championed by a local elementary school. The designation is effective July 6.

“Why is this so cool?” you might ask.

Well, Idaho now has a state dinosaur, and ask any 6-year-old: Dinosaurs are cool. Even better, some of the best Oryctodromeus fossils were discovered on the Caribou-Targhee National Forest.

And it isn’t only fossil bones. The first Oryctodromeus burrow (yes, burrowing dinosaurs) was also discovered on the forest by paleontologist Dr. L.J. Krumenacker. Krumenacker is an instructor at the College of Eastern Idaho who conducts research on the Caribou-Targhee under permit.

Dinosaur fossils are rare in Idaho. Of the few known dinosaur fossil types found in Idaho, the most common is Oryctodromeus. This dinosaur lived during the Cretaceous Period, about 98 million years ago. It is the first described dinosaur to have lived in underground burrows. Oryctodromeus was a small, terrestrial herbivore. An adult is estimated to have stood 3 feet tall and weighed 50–70 pounds. It would have been 11 feet long, about two-thirds of which was its tail. Because the fossilized remains of this dinosaur are often found in groups of multiple individuals, including occurrences of presumed parents and juveniles, scientists believe they lived in social groups and cared for their young.

Being a burrower provided several advantages. Burrows would have afforded Oryctodromeus a place to hide and escape from predators. They would have provided a safe place to raise offspring. Burrowing could have also helped the dinosaur to better cope with temperature extremes.

Oryctodromeus had several adaptations for burrowing. They had muscular arms and shoulders for digging, and a narrow, fused, horny beak that could be used as a shovel. Sturdy hips would have braced the dinosaur during digging. Their hind limbs were long and adapted to running on two legs. The digging and running features are how this dinosaur got its name—Oryctodromeus means “digging runner.”

Want to know more? An exhibit that will provide additional insight, titled “Dinosaurs from the Mountain: Visit Idaho 100 Million Years Ago,” is set to open at the Idaho Museum of Natural History this October.