# Edmontosaurus (*Edmontosaurus regalis*)

Edmontosaurus 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

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

Photo: Charles H. Sternberg, Public domain · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Edmontosaurus_annectens_specimen.jpg)

## Appearance

The Edmontosaurus is a large, duck-billed dinosaur with a broad, flat skull. Its skin was likely scaly or leathery, possibly mottled green or brown to camouflage with lush foliage. Its unique flattened snout made it visually distinct among many other dinosaurs.

## Taxonomy

- **Kingdom:** Animalia

## Interesting facts

- Fossilized skin impressions reveal its bumpy texture from millions of years ago! Wow!
- It was one of the very last non-avian dinosaurs to ever exist on Earth! Wow!
- Mass graves show hundreds of Edmontosaurus died together! Wow!
- Some Edmontosaurus fossils even had preserved stomach contents inside! Wow!

## Special abilities

- **Mega Masticator:** Edmontosaurus has thousands of tiny teeth that help them grind tough plants into a digestible pulp.
- **Plant Cropper:** Edmontosaurus can use its wide, flat, duck-like bill to efficiently snip and gather large amounts of vegetation.
- **Protective Herding:** Edmontosaurus lived in large herds that helped them spot predators and stay safer in numbers.

## Measurements & details

- **Length:** 9-12 m
- **Weight:** 3000-4000 kg
- **Era:** Mesozoic (Late Cretaceous)
- **Extinct Millions Years Ago:** 66

## Diet & Feeding

This gigantic herbivore munched on a wide variety of plants to fuel its massive body.

- **Primary Foods:** Conifers, Cycads, Ferns, Flowering Plants, Twigs
- **Foraging Method:** Grazing

## Ecological connections

- **Eaten by:** T-Rex (*Tyrannosaurus rex*) — Dominant predator, often hunted Edmontosaurus.
- **Eats:** [Dawn Redwood](https://www.snappit.app/explore/dawn-redwood) (*Metasequoia glyptostroboides*) — Grazed on leaves and shoots of ancient conifers.
- **Eats:** Ancient Cycad (*Cycadeoidea marshi*) — Ate tough leaves from 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 Edmontosaurus?

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 Edmontosaurus?

9-12 m

### How much does Edmontosaurus weigh?

3000-4000 kg

### What does Edmontosaurus eat?

This gigantic herbivore munched on a wide variety of plants to fuel its massive body.

### Where is Edmontosaurus usually found?

Mesozoic forests and floodplains

### How does Edmontosaurus hunt?

Grazing

### What geologic era did Edmontosaurus live in?

Mesozoic (Late Cretaceous)

### When did Edmontosaurus 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: [Edmontosaurus: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/edmontosaurus)