Parrosaurus Facts
Pronunciation: PAIR-oh-SORE-us
Name meaning: Near Lizard
| Diet | Herbivore |
| Height | 3m |
| Length | 9m |
| Weight | 3 tonnes |
| Speed | 25 km/h |
| Environment | Land |
| Era | Cretaceous |
| Period | Late Cretaceous |
| Type | Ornithopod |
| Location | North America |
Parrosaurus was a large ornithopod dinosaur that lived during the Late Cretaceous period, approximately 72 to 66 million years ago. This impressive herbivore inhabited the coastal plains of what is now Missouri, making it one of the few dinosaurs known from this American state. Scientists now consider Parrosaurus to be the same species as Hypsibema missouriensis, representing Missouri's official state dinosaur under its more recent classification.
As a member of the ornithopod group, Parrosaurus was well-adapted for a plant-eating lifestyle. It possessed the characteristic duck-like bill that gave hadrosaurs their nickname of 'duck-billed dinosaurs', though this broad, flat snout was perfectly designed for cropping vegetation rather than filtering water. The dinosaur could move both on two legs when speed was needed and on all fours when feeding on low-growing plants.
Parrosaurus lived in a warm, humid environment with lush vegetation including ferns, cycads, and early flowering plants. Its powerful jaws contained hundreds of small teeth arranged in dental batteries, allowing it to efficiently grind tough plant material. The dinosaur's discovery in 1942 marked the first known dinosaur remains found in Missouri, making it particularly significant for American palaeontology.
The fossils of Parrosaurus were discovered at what became known as the Chronister Dinosaur Site near Glen Allen, Missouri. These remains represent the only known specimens of this species, with some of the bones now housed at the prestigious Smithsonian Institution in Washington, D.C.
What made Parrosaurus distinctive?
Parrosaurus had a broad, duck-like bill typical of hadrosaurs, designed for cropping vegetation. Its robust build and large size distinguished it from smaller ornithopods, while its dental batteries contained hundreds of small grinding teeth for processing tough plant material.
Behaviour
Parrosaurus likely lived in herds, as evidenced by other hadrosaur species, providing safety in numbers from predators. It could switch between bipedal locomotion for faster movement and quadrupedal stance for ground-level feeding, making it highly adaptable to different situations.
Discovery
Parrosaurus was first described by Charles W. Gilmore in 1945. The original fossils were discovered at Glen Allen, Missouri, USA.
Parrosaurus FAQ
What did Parrosaurus eat?
Parrosaurus was a herbivore that fed on a variety of plants including ferns, cycads, and early flowering plants. Its duck-like bill was perfect for cropping vegetation, whilst its hundreds of small grinding teeth could process tough plant material efficiently.
How big was Parrosaurus?
Parrosaurus was approximately 9 metres long and stood about 3 metres tall at the hip. It weighed around 3 tonnes, making it a substantial ornithopod dinosaur, though not as massive as the largest sauropods.
When did Parrosaurus live?
Parrosaurus lived during the
Late Cretaceous period, approximately 72 to 66 million years ago. This was near the very end of the age of dinosaurs, shortly before the mass extinction event.
Where was Parrosaurus found?
Parrosaurus was discovered in North America, specifically near Glen Allen, Missouri, USA. The fossils were found at the Chronister Dinosaur Site in 1942, marking the first dinosaur discovery in Missouri.
How do you pronounce Parrosaurus?
Parrosaurus is pronounced 'PAIR-oh-SORE-us'. The name breaks down into 'Parro' (meaning near) and 'saurus' (meaning lizard), so it's the 'Near Lizard'.
What does Parrosaurus mean?
Parrosaurus means 'Near Lizard' in Latin. The name comes from 'parro' meaning 'near' and 'saurus' meaning 'lizard', though like all dinosaurs, it was actually a reptile rather than a true lizard.
How fast could Parrosaurus run?
Parrosaurus could likely reach speeds of around 25 km/h when running on its hind legs. This bipedal running ability would have been crucial for escaping from large predators like
Tyrannosaurus rex.
What type of dinosaur was Parrosaurus?
Parrosaurus was an ornithopod dinosaur, specifically a member of the Hadrosauridae family. These were herbivorous dinosaurs known as 'duck-billed dinosaurs' due to their distinctive broad, flat snouts.
Was Parrosaurus related to birds?
As an ornithopod dinosaur, Parrosaurus was not directly ancestral to birds. Birds evolved from theropod dinosaurs, which were a completely different group. However, Parrosaurus shared common dinosaurian ancestry with the theropods that gave rise to birds.
How many Parrosaurus fossils have been found?
Very few Parrosaurus fossils have been discovered. The original specimens found at the Chronister Dinosaur Site in Missouri in 1942 remain the only known fossils of this species, making it quite rare in the fossil record.
