Parasaurolophus

One of the most unusual duckbilled dinosaurs found in Alberta, Parasaurolophus had a distinctive tube-like crest projecting behind its head. Nasal passages which ran through the crest may have been used to make sounds.

Based on the number of their remains, duckbilled dinosaurs must have been very common in Late Cretaceous Alberta. Named for their flattened toothless beaks, duckbills were plentiful and diverse, perhaps moving in large herds across the landscape.

Behind the beak were batteries of hundreds of cheek teeth adapted to chewing tough plant material. The teeth were replaced throughout life. Most hadrosaurs weighed about as much as an elephant, although a few were larger.

Nasal passages extended through the crests of many duckbill dinosaurs. They may have functioned as resonating chambers, producing honks and bellows distinctive to each species.

Male Parasaurolophus had a long crest extending 2 metres behind the skull. What are believed to be females have a much shorter rest.

Parasaurolophus is one of the least commonly found of the duckbills.

This document was prepared by Wayne Hortensius, Calgary, Alberta, Canada for the Royal Tyrrell Museum Cooperating Society. All information © 1995 Royal Tyrrell Museum. All Rights Reserved.
Updated: April 8, 1995

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