Parasaurolophus Facts
| Diet | Herbivore |
| Height | 3.5m |
| Length | 9m |
| Weight | 5 tonnes |
| Speed | 25 km/h |
| Environment | Land |
| Era | Cretaceous |
| Period | Late Cretaceous |
| Type | Ornithopod |
| Location | North America And Possibly Asia |

| Diet | Herbivore |
| Height | 3.5m |
| Length | 9m |
| Weight | 5 tonnes |
| Speed | 25 km/h |
| Environment | Land |
| Era | Cretaceous |
| Period | Late Cretaceous |
| Type | Ornithopod |
| Location | North America And Possibly Asia |
Parasaurolophus was a remarkable ornithopod dinosaur that roamed the ancient landscapes of western North America during the Late Cretaceous period, roughly 76.5 to 73 million years ago. This impressive herbivore could reach lengths of up to 9 metres and weigh over 5 tonnes, making it one of the larger duck-billed dinosaurs of its time. What truly set Parasaurolophus apart was its distinctive hollow crest that extended backwards from its skull, which functioned as a sophisticated sound-producing instrument.
As a versatile ornithopod, Parasaurolophus was equally comfortable moving on two legs or dropping down to walk on all fours when feeding or moving slowly. Its duck-like bill was perfectly adapted for cropping tough vegetation, whilst hundreds of small teeth worked like a grinding mill to process plant material. The dinosaur's powerful jaw muscles and efficient chewing mechanism allowed it to tackle the conifers, ferns, and flowering plants that dominated Late Cretaceous forests.
Three species of Parasaurolophus are widely recognised by palaeontologists: P. walkeri, P. tubicen, and P. cyrtocristatus, which had a notably shorter crest. Fossils have been discovered across Alberta, New Mexico, and Utah, suggesting these ornithopods inhabited a broad range of environments from coastal plains to inland river systems. Their remains paint a picture of social animals that likely lived in herds, using their remarkable crests to communicate across vast distances.
Parasaurolophus is instantly recognisable by its long, hollow, backward-curving crest that extended from the back of its skull. This ornithopod also possessed the characteristic duck-like bill of hadrosaurids and could switch between bipedal and quadrupedal locomotion depending on its activity.
Parasaurolophus lived in herds and used its hollow crest as a resonating chamber to produce deep, trumpet-like calls for communication with other members of its species. These ornithopods were likely migratory, moving seasonally to follow food sources and suitable nesting areas.
Parasaurolophus has appeared in several documentaries about prehistoric life and features in various dinosaur-themed video games, often showcased for its distinctive musical abilities.
Parasaurolophus was first described by William Parks in 1922. The original fossils were discovered at Alberta, Canada.