Maiasaura
ExploreAncient
Maiasaura
Maiasaura peeblesorum
Maiasaura was a prehistoric dinosaur known for its distinctive features. Scientists study its bones to learn about how dinosaurs lived.
Habitat: Mesozoic forests and floodplains
Appearance
The Maiasaura has a broad, flat 'duck-bill' snout and a small, bony crest in front of its eyes. Its body was robust with strong hind legs, likely covered in scaly skin, possibly in earthy greens or browns for camouflage.
KingdomAnimalia
Category
AncientRarity
Common
Danger
1/5 · Very low
Snaps
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Interesting facts
It had hundreds of tiny teeth packed together for chewing up tough plants!
Maiasaura means 'good mother lizard,' named for its amazing parenting skills!
Scientists discovered whole nesting colonies with eggs and baby dinosaurs!
Some Maiasaura herds stretched for miles, making them super social!
Special abilities
Ability
Good Mother's Nurturing
Maiasaura cared for its young because fossil evidence shows nested eggs and juveniles, helping them survive.
Ability
Herd Protection
Maiasaura lived in large herds that helped them defend against predators and forage for food safely.
Ability
Powerful Plant Munching
Maiasaura has hundreds of self-replacing teeth that help them grind tough plants into digestible bits.
Measurements & details
- Estimated Length
- 7-9 m
- Estimated Weight
- 2000-4000 kg
- Era
- Late Cretaceous
- Extinct Millions Years Ago
- 75.5
Diet & Feeding
A gentle giant, Maiasaura munched on plants, using its special beak and teeth to pluck and grind vegetation.
Age differences: Young Maiasaura likely ate softer, more easily digestible plants compared to the tougher vegetation consumed by adults.
Primary Foods
- Leaves
- Twigs
- Conifer needles
- Ferns
- Fruits
Foraging Method
- Foraging
Ecological connections
eaten by
Daspletosaurus
Daspletosaurus torosus
A large tyrannosaur, hunted Maiasaura.
eaten by
Gorgosaurus
Gorgosaurus libratus
Another tyrannosaurid that likely preyed on herds.
eats
Ginkgo tree
Ginkgo adiantoides
Its leaves were a common food source for Maiasaura.
Traits
Colorful
Colorful describes organisms or objects displaying a wide range of bright and distinct colors.
Ancient
Ancient refers to organisms, objects, or geological formations that have existed for an extremely long period.
Artifact
An artifact is an object made or modified by human culture, typically of historical or archaeological interest.
Crystalline
Crystalline describes a mineral or rock composed of crystals, often exhibiting a regular atomic structure and geometric external form.
Fossil
A fossil is the preserved remains or traces of an ancient organism embedded in rock or other geological deposits.
Also known as
Good Mother Lizard
Collections
Safety
Danger
1/5 · Very low
While extremely dangerous in their time, this creature is now extinct.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long is Maiasaura?
7-9 m
How much does Maiasaura weigh?
2000-4000 kg
What does Maiasaura eat?
A gentle giant, Maiasaura munched on plants, using its special beak and teeth to pluck and grind vegetation.
Where is Maiasaura usually found?
Mesozoic forests and floodplains
How does Maiasaura hunt?
Foraging
What geologic era did Maiasaura live in?
Late Cretaceous
When did Maiasaura go extinct?
75.5
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