Dinosaurs A:Z | E
Dinosaurs: Edmontosaurus (Edmonton Lizard)
Last updated: 20th Apr 2024 Edmontosaurus was a large, plant-eating dinosaur that lived during the Late Cretaceous period, around 83.5 to 66 million years ago. It's named "lizard from Edmonton" after the capital city of Alberta, Canada, where its fossils were first discovered. Length: Edmontosaurus could grow up to 12 meters (39 feet) long. Height: It could reach heights of up to 3 meters (10 feet) at the hips. Weight: These dinosaurs weighed around 4 tons, similar to a modern-day elephant. Edmontosaurus had a distinctive duck-billed head and a long, flat tail. Its body was robust with strong legs that allowed it to walk on both two and four feet. It had numerous cheek teeth arranged in columns that were continuously replaced throughout its life. Some of its skin impressions show that it was covered in scales. Unlike other hadrosaurids, Edmontosaurus lacked a bony crest but featured a toothless beak, which was likely used to crush tough plant material. Some speculate that it may have had loose skin around its face for display purposes. Generative AI Notification: Some elements of this image have been created or enhanced using AI technology. To find out how we create all our dinosaurs, click here.
Edmontosaurus was a herbivore, meaning it ate plants. It likely fed on a variety of vegetation, including ferns, conifers, and other plants that were common during the Cretaceous period. Fossils of Edmontosaurus have been found in numerous locations across North America, including Alberta, Canada, and various states in the USA such as Alaska, Colorado, Montana, New Jersey, North Dakota, South Dakota, and Wyoming. They lived in areas with diverse vegetation, providing plenty of food. Edmontosaurus belonged to the Hadrosauridae family, also known as duck-billed dinosaurs. It could move both bipedally (on two legs) and quadrupedally (on four legs). It is one of the few dinosaurs with preserved skin impressions, giving us insights into its appearance. Edmontosaurus had up to 1,000 teeth, which were continually replaced throughout its life. This dinosaur likely lived in herds and migrated in large groups. It was one of the last known non-avian dinosaurs, living until the end of the Cretaceous period. What is an Edmontosaurus?
How big was Edmontosaurus?
Appearance
EdmontosaurusWhat did Edmontosaurus eat?
Where did Edmontosaurus live?
Interesting Facts
Pronounced: ed-MON-tuh-SAWR-us Name Means: "Edmonton Lizard"
Edmontosaurus Facts
Length: 39 feet (12 m)
Height: 10 feet (3 m)
Weight: 3-4 tonnes (3,000 kg)
Diet: Herbivore (Leaves,
Branches, Fronds, Ferns)
Time: Late Cretaceous - 83.5 to 66 million years ago
Habitat: Woodlands
Fossils Found: North America
Edmontosaurus was part of a group called Ornithopoda, within the Hadrosauridae family. This family includes other duck-billed dinosaurs.
Edmontosaurus could walk on both two legs and four legs. It likely walked on four legs while grazing and switched to two legs when it needed to move quickly, perhaps to escape predators.
Edmontosaurus had a unique duck-billed head and a long, flat tail. Its numerous teeth were excellent for chewing tough plant material. Additionally, it had the ability to move both bipedally and quadrupedally, giving it great flexibility in its environment. Edmontosaurus in its Natural Habitat Edmontosaurus lived during a time when North America was divided into two paleocontinents by an interior seaway. It roamed across vast plains and forests, feeding on diverse plant life. Its ability to move on both two and four legs helped it adapt to different environments and situations.
Q1: What is an Edmontosaurus?
A1: Edmontosaurus was a large, herbivorous dinosaur that lived during the Late Cretaceous Period, around 73-66 million years ago. Its name means "lizard from Edmonton" because its fossils were first found near Edmonton, Canada.
Q2: How big was the Edmontosaurus?
A2: Edmontosaurus could grow up to 39 feet long and weigh around 3-4 tons. It had a long, flat tail, a bulky body, and a duck-billed snout.
Q3: What did Edmontosaurus eat?
A3: Edmontosaurus was a herbivore, meaning it ate plants. It likely fed on a variety of vegetation, including leaves, twigs, and fruits, using its beak to clip off plant material.
Q4: Where did Edmontosaurus live?
A4: Edmontosaurus lived in what is now North America. Fossils have been found in the United States and Canada, particularly in areas that were once lush and forested.
Q5: What makes Edmontosaurus different from other dinosaurs?
A5: Edmontosaurus is known for its duck-billed snout and its ability to walk on both two and four legs. It also had a unique dental arrangement with hundreds of tightly packed teeth for grinding plant material.
Q6: How did Edmontosaurus defend itself?
A6: Edmontosaurus likely relied on its large size and herding behavior to protect itself from predators. It may have also used its strong tail to fend off attackers.
Q7: What did Edmontosaurus look like?
A7: Edmontosaurus had a bulky body, long tail, and a duck-billed snout. It was covered in scales and had a crest on its head, which may have been used for display or communication.
Q8: Why is Edmontosaurus important to scientists?
A8: Edmontosaurus provides valuable insights into the evolution and behavior of hadrosaurid dinosaurs. Its fossils help scientists understand dinosaur anatomy, diet, and the environment of the Late Cretaceous.
Q9: Where can I see an Edmontosaurus skeleton?
A9: You can see Edmontosaurus skeletons in several museums, including the Royal Tyrrell Museum in Canada and the American Museum of Natural History in New York.
Q10: What is the significance of the name Edmontosaurus?
A10: The name Edmontosaurus means "lizard from Edmonton," reflecting its discovery near Edmonton, Canada. It was named by paleontologist Lawrence Lambe in 1917.
Which family of Dinosaurs did Edmontosaurus belong to?
How did Edmontosaurus move?
What were the unique features of Edmontosaurus?
Edmontosaurus FAQ
You may also be intrested in:
Tags: How big was Edmontosaurus, Edmontosaurus size, where does Edmontosauruss live, how tall are Edmontosaurus, what does Edmontosaurus mean, Edmontosaurus, Edmontosaurus facts