Hadrosaurus was a large herbivorous dinosaur that lived during the Late Cretaceous period, about 80 million years ago. It is a member of the hadrosaurid family, also known as duck-billed dinosaurs.

Where was Hadrosaurus discovered?

Hadrosaurus fossils were discovered in Haddonfield, New Jersey, USA, in 1858 by William Parker Foulke. It was the first nearly complete dinosaur skeleton found in North America.

What does the name Hadrosaurus mean?

The name Hadrosaurus means 'sturdy lizard' or 'bulky lizard,' referring to its strong build. It was named by the American paleontologist Joseph Leidy in 1858.

When did Hadrosaurus live?

Hadrosaurus lived during the Late Cretaceous period, approximately 80 million years ago, alongside other dinosaurs like Tyrannosaurus and Triceratops.

Why is Hadrosaurus important?

Hadrosaurus was the first dinosaur skeleton to be mounted for public display and became the official state dinosaur of New Jersey. Its discovery marked a major milestone in North American paleontology.

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Dinosaurs: Hadrosaurus (Bulky Lizard)

Q: How big was Hadrosaurus?

Hadrosaurus could grow up to about 9 meters (30 feet) long and may have weighed between 2 to 3 metric tons. It could walk on both two legs and four legs.

Q: What did Hadrosaurus eat?

Hadrosaurus was an herbivore that fed on a variety of plants, including leaves, twigs, and fruits. Its beak and hundreds of teeth were adapted for grinding tough vegetation.

What is an Hadrosaurus?

Hadrosaurus was a fascinating plant-eating dinosaur that lived during the Late Cretaceous Period, about 80–70 million years ago in what is now North America. It is best known for being one of the first nearly complete dinosaur skeletons ever found and for its “duck-billed” mouth, which helped it eat a variety of plants. Although it looked a bit odd, Hadrosaurus was a peaceful giant that roamed ancient floodplains in large herds.

How big was Hadrosaurus?

Hadrosaurus was a large dinosaur, growing up to about 9 metres (30 feet) in length and standing around 4 metres (13 feet) tall at the top of its hips. Weighing as much as 3.5 tonnes (about as much as a lorry), Hadrosaurus was certainly a heavyweight amongst the duck-billed dinosaurs!

Appearance

Hadrosaurus had a long, flat tail, a bulky body, and strong hind legs for walking and running. Its front legs were shorter but could be used for walking on all fours when needed. The most striking feature was its broad, flat, beak-like mouth. Hadrosaurus did not have a crest on its head like some other duck-billed dinosaurs. Its skin was likely scaly, as shown by fossils from its close relatives.

A lifelike representation of an Hadrosaurus dinosaur standing majestically against a backdrop of mountains and blue skies, with its textured brown skin and lighter stripes highlighted under the partly cloudy sky. Hadrosaurus

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.

What did Hadrosaurus eat?

Hadrosaurus was a herbivore, which means it only ate plants. Its mouth was shaped like a duck’s bill and filled with hundreds of tightly packed teeth, perfect for grinding up tough leaves, twigs, and other plant material. Scientists think it could eat low-growing plants as well as leaves from taller trees by standing on its hind legs.

Where did Hadrosaurus live?

Fossils of Hadrosaurus have been found in New Jersey, USA. During the Cretaceous Period, this region was covered by forests, rivers, and floodplains, perfect for a plant-eater like Hadrosaurus to thrive. It probably lived in herds for safety and travelled long distances to find food.

Interesting facts

First in history: Hadrosaurus was the first nearly complete dinosaur skeleton ever found in North America, discovered in 1858.

Tooth battery: Hadrosaurus had hundreds of tightly packed teeth that were constantly replaced as they wore out, perfect for chewing tough, fibrous plants.
Social dinosaur: Fossils suggest it lived in herds, which helped protect it from predators.
Family ties: Hadrosaurus is part of the Hadrosauridae family, which includes many other famous duck-billed dinosaurs.

A realistic rendering of an Hadrosaurus dinosaur on a white transparent background.

Hadrosaurus size compared to a human adult.

Hadrosaurus Facts

Pronounced: had-roh-SAW-rus

Name Means: “Bulky lizard”

Length: up to 9 m (30 feet)

Height: up to 4 m (13 feet)

Weight: about 3,500 kilograms (3.5 tonnes)

Diet: Herbivore (plants)

Time: Late Cretaceous (about 80–70 million years ago)

Fossils Found: North America (New Jersey, USA)

Which family of Dinosaurs did Hadrosaurus belong to?

Hadrosaurus belonged to the Hadrosauridae family, commonly known as duck-billed dinosaurs. This family is part of the larger group called Ornithopoda, which were herbivorous dinosaurs known for their advanced chewing mechanisms and often elaborate cranial crests. Other notable members of the Hadrosauridae family included Parasaurolophus, Edmontosaurus, Corythosaurus and Lambeosaurus.

How fast was Hadrosaurus?

Hadrosaurus was probably a fairly good runner for its size. Its strong hind legs allowed it to move quickly when escaping predators, but it mainly walked slowly while searching for food.

What other dinosaurs lived at the same time as Hadrosaurus?

During the Late Cretaceous Period, Hadrosaurus shared its world with a variety of other dinosaurs and prehistoric animals, such as:

Tyrannosaurus rex: A giant meat-eater that may have preyed on Hadrosaurus.
Triceratops: A large, three-horned plant-eater with a frilled head.
Dromaeosaurus: A small, fast, meat-eating dinosaur.
Ankylosaurus: An armoured dinosaur with a clubbed tail for defence.
Pterosaurs: Flying reptiles that soared above the Cretaceous landscape.

Hadrosaurus FAQ

Q1: What is an Hadrosaurus?

A1: Hadrosaurus was a large, herbivorous dinosaur that lived during the Late Cretaceous period, about 80–70 million years ago.

Q2: What does Hadrosaurus mean?

A2: Hadrosaurus means “Bulky lizard”, named for its large body.

Q3: Was Hadrosaurus a carnivore?

A3: No, Hadrosaurus was a plant-eater (herbivore) with a mouth made for chewing plants.

Q4: Did Hadrosaurus have a crest?

A4: No, Hadrosaurus did not have a head crest, unlike some other hadrosaurs.

Q5: Where did Hadrosaurus live?

A5: Hadrosaurus lived in what is now New Jersey, North America.

Q6: Was Hadrosaurus fast?

A6: Hadrosaurus could run on its hind legs, but mostly walked slowly in herds.

Q7: Did Hadrosaurus live alone or in groups?

A7: Hadrosaurus likely lived in large herds for protection and socialising.

Q8: What makes Hadrosaurus special?

A8: Hadrosaurus was the first dinosaur skeleton found in America and helped spark interest in dinosaurs around the world!

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