tarbimus

Tarbimus is a genus of large, herbivorous ornithopod dinosaurs that lived during the Late Cretaceous period. Fossil remains of tarbimus have been discovered in the Gobi Desert region of Mongolia. These dinosaurs are characterized by their relatively large size, estimated to be around 10 to 13 meters (33 to 43 feet) in length, and their robust build.

The most distinctive feature of tarbimus is its large, thickened snout. This unusual cranial morphology has led to various hypotheses regarding its function. Some scientists suggest it may have been used for display, perhaps for species recognition or attracting mates. Others propose that the thickened snout could have been used for intraspecific combat, similar to how some modern animals use their heads to butt or push. It is also possible that it played a role in feeding, though its exact function in herbivory remains debated.

Tarbimus belonged to the group of ornithopods, which are characterized by their bird-like hips and typically bipedal or facultatively quadrupedal locomotion. As herbivores, their diet likely consisted of plant material, though the specific types of vegetation they consumed are not precisely known. The discovery of tarbimus has contributed to our understanding of dinosaur diversity and evolution in Late Cretaceous Asia.