Probrachylophosaurus Facts
Pronunciation: pro-BRACK-ih-low-foh-SORE-us
Name meaning: Before Short-crested Lizard
| Diet | Herbivore |
| Height | 2.5m |
| Length | 7m |
| Weight | 2.5 tonnes |
| Environment | Land |
| Era | Cretaceous |
| Period | Late Cretaceous |
| Type | Ornithopod |
| Location | North America |
Probrachylophosaurus was a large ornithopod dinosaur that lived during the Late Cretaceous period, approximately 80-79 million years ago. This fascinating creature roamed the ancient floodplains and coastal regions of what is now Montana and Alberta, representing a crucial piece in understanding duck-billed dinosaur evolution. Despite being discovered in 1981, it wasn't fully excavated until 2008 and remained scientifically unnamed until 2015.
Measuring around 7 metres in length and standing 2.5 metres tall at the hip, Probrachylophosaurus was a substantial herbivore with the typical ornithopod build of powerful hind legs and a long, balanced tail. Its skull featured a distinctive low crest, less pronounced than its later relative Brachylophosaurus. The dinosaur possessed rows of tightly packed teeth perfectly adapted for grinding tough plant material, including ferns, conifers, and flowering plants that dominated Late Cretaceous landscapes.
What makes Probrachylophosaurus particularly significant is its role as a possible transitional form in duck-billed dinosaur evolution. Scientists believe it may represent an evolutionary step between earlier crested species like Acristavus and later forms such as Brachylophosaurus and Ornatops. This ornithopod likely lived in herds, using its sophisticated dental batteries to process fibrous vegetation whilst remaining alert for predators like Daspletosaurus that shared its environment.
What made Probrachylophosaurus distinctive?
Probrachylophosaurus had a notably low, underdeveloped crest compared to its later relatives, giving it an intermediate appearance between non-crested and fully-crested duck-billed dinosaurs. Its skull was proportionally shorter than Brachylophosaurus, and it possessed the characteristic duck-bill snout typical of its family.
Behaviour
Probrachylophosaurus likely lived in social groups, as evidenced by the discovery of multiple specimens in close proximity. Like other duck-billed dinosaurs, it probably spent much of its time feeding on low-growing vegetation, using its complex dental batteries to process tough plant material through continuous chewing motions.
Discovery
Probrachylophosaurus was first described by Elizabeth Freedman Fowler and John R. Horner in 2015. The original fossils were discovered at Judith River Formation, Montana, USA.
Probrachylophosaurus FAQ
What did Probrachylophosaurus eat?
Probrachylophosaurus was a herbivore that fed on the diverse plant life of the
Late Cretaceous period. Its sophisticated dental batteries, containing hundreds of tightly packed teeth, were perfectly designed for grinding tough vegetation including ferns, conifers, cycads, and the newly evolved flowering plants that were becoming dominant during this time.
How big was Probrachylophosaurus?
Probrachylophosaurus was quite large, measuring approximately 7 metres in total length and standing about 2.5 metres tall at the hip. It weighed an estimated 2.5 tonnes, making it a substantial herbivore that was slightly smaller than some of its later relatives like
Brachylophosaurus.
When did Probrachylophosaurus live?
Probrachylophosaurus lived during the
Late Cretaceous period, specifically during the Campanian age between approximately 80.45 and 79 million years ago. This places it in the latter part of the Age of Dinosaurs, several million years before the mass extinction event.
Where was Probrachylophosaurus found?
Fossils of Probrachylophosaurus have been discovered in North America, specifically in the Judith River Formation of Montana, USA, and the Foremost Formation of Alberta, Canada. These formations represent ancient floodplains and coastal environments where these dinosaurs once lived.
How do you pronounce Probrachylophosaurus?
Probrachylophosaurus is pronounced 'pro-BRACK-ih-low-foh-SORE-us'. The name can be broken down into syllables: Pro-brachy-lopho-saurus, with the emphasis typically placed on 'BRACK' and 'SORE'.
What does Probrachylophosaurus mean?
Probrachylophosaurus means 'Before Short-crested Lizard' in Greek and Latin. The name reflects scientists' belief that this dinosaur represents an evolutionary precursor to
Brachylophosaurus ('Short-crested Lizard'), with a less developed crest than its later relative.
How fast could Probrachylophosaurus run?
The running speed of Probrachylophosaurus is not precisely known, but based on its large size and body structure similar to other duck-billed dinosaurs, it was likely capable of reaching moderate speeds when necessary, probably similar to large modern herbivorous mammals.
What type of dinosaur was Probrachylophosaurus?
Probrachylophosaurus was an ornithopod dinosaur, specifically belonging to the family Hadrosauridae (duck-billed dinosaurs). It was a large, herbivorous dinosaur that walked primarily on its hind legs but could also move on all fours when feeding or moving slowly.
Was Probrachylophosaurus related to birds?
As an ornithopod dinosaur, Probrachylophosaurus was not directly ancestral to modern birds. Birds evolved from theropod dinosaurs, a completely different group. However, like all dinosaurs, Probrachylophosaurus shared a common ancestor with birds and possessed some bird-like characteristics as part of the broader dinosaur family tree.
How many Probrachylophosaurus fossils have been found?
Relatively few specimens of Probrachylophosaurus have been discovered. The original finds included both adult and subadult specimens from Montana, and in 2021, fragmentary remains were identified from Alberta. The limited fossil record makes each specimen particularly valuable for understanding this transitional species.
