Name:
Parasaurolophus (Greek for "near crested lizard"); pronounced pah-ra-sore-OLL-oh-fuss
Habitat:
Woodlands of North America
Historical Period:
Late Cretaceous (75 million years ago)
Size and Weight:
About 30 feet long and 4 tons
Diet:
Plants
Distinguishing Characteristics:
Large, hollow, bony frill on top of head
About Parasaurolophus:
A close relative of its fellow hadrosaur Corythosaurus--with which it shared the same territory and the same historical period--Parasaurolophus was distinguished by the long, hollow crest of bone atop its head, which produced piercing blasts of sound when filled with air (via the dinosaur's nostrils). It's also possible this frill had other, secondary functions, such as dissipating heat (thanks to its large surface area) or signaling other members of its species when brightly colored.
Because the crests of male Parasaurolophuses were longer than those of females, paleontologists believe the males broadcast their sexual availability for miles in all directions--which must have kept other dinosaurs awake at night!
