Edmontosaurus
Edmontosaurus is a genus of large, herbivorous dinosaurs belonging to the hadrosaurid family, commonly known as duck-billed dinosaurs. These dinosaurs were notable for their size, measuring between 32 and 42 feet (9.5 to 13 meters) in length and weighing between 3.5 and 5 tons (approximately 3 to 4.5 metric tons). Characterized by a horse-like head equipped with a long, narrow beak, Edmontosaurus had powerful hind legs and shorter front limbs that aided in movement and balance. Its skin was leathery and featured small bumps known as tubercles.
Primarily a plant eater, Edmontosaurus fed on a variety of vegetation, including conifer needles, seeds, and twigs, using its sharp teeth to process tougher plant materials. This dinosaur inhabited forested, swampy areas and likely used its excellent eyesight and hearing to detect predators, such as the formidable Tyrannosaurus rex. Fossil evidence of Edmontosaurus has been discovered in regions across North America, including Wyoming, Colorado, and Alberta, where it was first identified in the Edmonton rock formation. This fascinating dinosaur provides insight into the diverse ecosystems of the Late Cretaceous period.
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Edmontosaurus
Edmontosaurus is a dinosaur genus of the hadrosaurid, or duck-billed, family. It was a large, four-legged plant eater with a long bill like that on a duck. Its leathery skin was covered with tiny bumps called tubercles.
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Dinosauria
Order: Ornithischia
Family: Hadrosauridae
Genus: Edmontosaurus
Species: Regalis; Annectens
The genus Edmontosaurus contained two speciesA full-grown Edmontosaurus reached a length between 32 and 42 feet (9 1/2 and 13 meters), a height of up to 10 feet (three meters) tall, and a weight between 3 1/2 and 5 tons (about 3 and 4 1/2 metric tons). Its hind legs were thick and muscular and gave the animal its power. Its front limbs were shorter and thinner. Three wide toes on each foot helped the animal stay balanced and grip the ground as it walked. A frill, or ridge, of bone ran from the dinosaur's head, down its back to its tail. Edmontosaurus had a horse-like head with a long, narrow beak like that on a duck. Its jaws were lined with hundreds of strong teeth. The skin of this dinosaur was thin and leathery. It was covered with small bumps called tubercles.
Edmontosaurus was a plant eater. It lived on a diet of conifer needles, seeds, and twigs. It ground up the tougher plants with its sharp teeth until it was soft enough to swallow. Using its height, it fed on some of the higher vegetation like cypress and broad-leafed trees.
The biggest and deadliest threat to Edmontosaurus was Tyrannosaurus-rex, the ruler of all dinosaurs. To protect itself, Edmontosaurus had excellent eyesight and hearing. If it were lucky, it might see T-rex coming through the thick trees and plants or hear the branches snapping beneath its feet. Edmontosaurus was a quick runner as well. It may have been able to outrun T-rex. But it is unlikely that Edmontosaurus ever escaped the jaws of T-rex. Very few dinosaurs ever did.
Edmontosaurus lived in the swampy forest land. It used its duck-like bill to feed on the plants and vegetation that grew in the moist soil.
Fossil remains of Edmontosaurus have been found in Wyoming, Colorado, Montana, South Dakota, Alberta, and Saskatchewan. Edmontosaurus was named for the Edmonton rock formation in which it was found. This formation is located in Alberta, Canada.
Bibliography
“Dinosaur Bones.” Broward College Science and Wellness Central Campus, sites.broward.edu/science-wellness-central/physical-sciences/paleo/edmontosaurus/. Accessed 24 Apr. 2024.
“Edmontosaurus.” National Parks Service, U.S. Department of the Interior, www.nps.gov/dena/learn/nature/edmontosaur.htm. Accessed 24 Apr. 2024.
“Edmontosaurus.” Natural History Museum, www.nhm.ac.uk/discover/dino-directory/edmontosaurus.html. Accessed 24 Apr. 2024.