# Parasaurolophus (*Parasaurolophus walkeri*)

Parasaurolophus 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

![Parasaurolophus](https://res.cloudinary.com/drieglelr/image/upload/v1771424344/objects/5757.jpg)

## Appearance

The Parasaurolophus has a distinctive, long, backward-curving crest on its head, giving it a unique profile. Its body was likely covered in camouflaged green or brown scales. This duck-billed dinosaur could walk on two or four legs.

## Taxonomy

- **Kingdom:** Animalia

## Interesting facts

- Its hollow crest was like a built-in trombone for making deep sounds!
- Its name means "near crested lizard," hinting at its unique headgear.
- Parasaurolophus lived alongside mighty Tyrannosaurus rex and Triceratops!
- This dinosaur could walk on two legs to run or four legs to graze!

## Special abilities

- **Trumpet Call:** Parasaurolophus can make loud, deep calls using its hollow head crest that helps them communicate across long distances.
- **Crested Cool-Down:** Parasaurolophus has a large crest that might have helped them cool down by dissipating excess body heat.
- **Leafy Grazer:** Parasaurolophus has a wide, duck-like bill that helps them efficiently snip and eat tough plants.

## Measurements & details

- **Length:** 7-10 m
- **Weight:** 2000-3500 kg
- **Era:** Late Cretaceous
- **Extinct Millions Years Ago:** 66

## Diet & Feeding

A peaceful plant-eater, munching on leaves and twigs with its unique duck-like bill.

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

## Ecological connections

- **Eaten by:** T. rex (*Tyrannosaurus rex*) — A fearsome apex predator in its environment.
- **Eaten by:** Albertosaurus (*Albertosaurus sarcophagus*) — Another large carnivore that hunted herbivores.
- **Eaten by:** Gorgosaurus (*Gorgosaurus libratus*) — A contemporary tyrannosaurid that likely preyed on it.

## Traits

- [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.
- [Crystalline](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/crystalline): Crystalline describes a mineral or rock composed of crystals, often exhibiting a regular atomic structure and geometric external form.
- [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 Parasaurolophus?

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 Parasaurolophus?

7-10 m

### How much does Parasaurolophus weigh?

2000-3500 kg

### What does Parasaurolophus eat?

A peaceful plant-eater, munching on leaves and twigs with its unique duck-like bill.

### Where is Parasaurolophus usually found?

Mesozoic forests and floodplains

### How does Parasaurolophus hunt?

Grazing

### What geologic era did Parasaurolophus live in?

Late Cretaceous

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