Teen dinosaurs left to roam in gangs

DINOSAURS were abandoned by their parents and left to roam together from an early age, scientists said today.

Researchers have revealed the remains of a gang of 25 animals, dubbed "dino-hoodies", dating from 90 million years ago. Experts say it is the first time the teenage herding has been seen.

Researchers made the discovery in the Gobi Desert in western Inner Mongolia, where the animals died together caught in a mudslide.

The herd is composed entirely of 25 juveniles of a single species of bird-like dinosaur called Sinornithomimus dongi.

Professor Paul Sereno of the University of Chicago, who led the team, said: "There were no adults or hatchlings. These youngsters were roaming around on their own."

The specimens range in age from one to seven, and were so well preserved by mud even the contents of their stomachs remained intact.