The trumpet dinosaur
Parasaurolophus is instantly recognizable by its spectacular backward-curving cranial crest. This hollow structure contained complex internal nasal passages that researchers believe functioned as a resonating chamber, allowing the dinosaur to produce deep, low-frequency trumpeting calls that could travel for kilometers across the landscape.
Like other hadrosaurs, it possessed sophisticated dental batteries with over a thousand self-sharpening teeth. It likely lived in large social groups and may have migrated seasonally across western North America.
- • The crest produced trumpeting calls audible for several kilometers.
- • Dental battery contained over 1,000 teeth that were constantly replaced.
- • Crest shape changed dramatically from juvenile to adult.
- • Excellent swimmer that foraged both on land and in shallow water.
Parasaurolophus crest call
A beautiful 9-second reconstruction of a Parasaurolophus herd at dusk, with one individual producing a resonant crest call.
Gallery
Habitat
Coastal plains and woodlands of western North America. Lived in herds across what is now Alberta and New Mexico.