# Corythosaurus (*Corythosaurus casuarius*)

Corythosaurus was a prehistoric dinosaur known for its distinctive features. Scientists study its bones to learn about how dinosaurs lived.

- **Category:** [Ancient](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/ancient)
- **Rarity:** Common
- **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low
- **Habitat:** Mesozoic forests and floodplains
- **Also known as:** Helmeted Dinosaur

![Corythosaurus](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Corythosaurus_restoration.jpg&width=800)

Photo: Drawing by John Conway \[1\], CC BY-SA 3.0 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Corythosaurus_restoration.jpg)

## Appearance

The Corythosaurus has a distinctive, tall, helmet-like crest on its head, shaped like a Roman helmet. Its body was robust, covered in scales, and likely displayed earthy tones of green, brown, or gray for camouflage.

## Taxonomy

- **Kingdom:** Animalia

## Interesting facts

- Corythosaurus lived alongside fierce predators like T-Rex!
- Its amazing crest had a winding air tube inside!
- Its babies were tiny, about the size of a chicken when hatched!
- Some scientists think it could hold its breath underwater for a long time!

## Special abilities

- **Crested Communicator:** Corythosaurus can make loud booming calls because its hollow head crest amplifies sound, helping them communicate warnings.
- **Aquatic Snorkeler:** Corythosaurus might have used nostrils, located high on its crest, like a snorkel for breathing while feeding in water.
- **Swift Sprinter:** Corythosaurus has strong hind legs that help them run swiftly to escape predators or navigate dense prehistoric forests.

## Measurements & details

- **Length:** 7-9 m
- **Weight:** 3000-5000 kg
- **Era:** Late Cretaceous
- **Extinct Millions Years Ago:** 66

## Diet & Feeding

A plant-eater, Corythosaurus munched on leaves and needles from various prehistoric plants.

- **Primary Foods:** Conifers, Cycads, Ferns, Ginkgos
- **Foraging Method:** Grazing

## Ecological connections

- **Eaten by:** Tyrannosaurus (*Tyrannosaurus rex*) — Large theropod predator.
- **Eaten by:** Daspletosaurus (*Daspletosaurus torosus*) — Another large theropod predator.
- **Eats:** Bald Cypress (*Taxodium distichum*) — Fed on ancient cypress trees.
- **Eats:** [Ginkgo](https://www.snappit.app/explore/ginkgo) (*Ginkgo biloba*) — Consumed leaves of ginkgo trees.
- **Eats:** Sago Palm (*Cycas revoluta*) — Browser of ancient cycad plants.

## Traits

- [Colorful](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/colorful): Colorful describes organisms or objects displaying a wide range of bright and distinct colors.
- [Ancient](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/ancient): Ancient refers to organisms, objects, or geological formations that have existed for an extremely long period.
- [Artifact](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/artifact): An artifact is an object made or modified by human culture, typically of historical or archaeological interest.
- [Fossil](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/fossil): A fossil is the preserved remains or traces of an ancient organism embedded in rock or other geological deposits.

## Collections

- [Ancient](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/ancient)

## Safety

**Danger:** 1/5 · Very low

While extremely dangerous in their time, this creature is now extinct.

## Frequently Asked Questions

### How to identify Corythosaurus?

Compare skull shape, horns, plates, limbs, posture and tail. Museum models and toys can mix features or follow outdated reconstructions. Dinosaur Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details.

### How long is Corythosaurus?

7-9 m

### How much does Corythosaurus weigh?

3000-5000 kg

### What does Corythosaurus eat?

A plant-eater, Corythosaurus munched on leaves and needles from various prehistoric plants.

### Where is Corythosaurus usually found?

Mesozoic forests and floodplains

### How does Corythosaurus hunt?

Grazing

### What geologic era did Corythosaurus live in?

Late Cretaceous

### When did Corythosaurus go extinct?

66

## More Ancient

- [Tyrannosaurus rex](https://www.snappit.app/explore/tyrannosaurus-rex) (*Tyrannosaurus rex*)
- [Triceratops](https://www.snappit.app/explore/triceratops) (*Triceratops horridus*)
- [Stegosaurus](https://www.snappit.app/explore/stegosaurus) (*Stegosaurus stenops*)
- [Brachiosaurus](https://www.snappit.app/explore/brachiosaurus) (*Brachiosaurus altithorax*)

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Source: [Corythosaurus: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/corythosaurus)