Parasaurolophus

The Mysterious Crest: Its Ticket to Stardom

The specific purpose of this unique, 1.8-meter-long crest has been the subject of various theories over the years, and it is still not completely understood.

It had a long crest.

Resonator Theory

The crest was hollow and connected to its nostrils.
When a model was made, it was found that it could produce a very loud sound that could travel for several kilometers, much like a modern elephant.
The pitch of the sound was determined by the length of the crest, suggesting that different species used different pitches to communicate.

If they used sound to communicate, it might have been an effective method for them to “talk” to each other while living in the forest.

Olfactory Amplifier Theory

Another prominent theory is that it was a device that amplified its sense of smell, allowing it to detect scents from a distance.

Display Theory

Since the shape of the crest varied between individuals and genders, it may have been used for mating displays or to establish social hierarchy by showing it off to other members of its species.

A theory once suggested that it was used as a snorkel, but this has since been disproven as there was no opening at the tip of the crest.

Surprisingly Few Fossils and Its Ecology

Parasaurolophus had a large body, with stocky legs and a robust shoulder and hip region, even for a member of the Lambeosaurine family.

It had stocky legs and a robust shoulder and hip region.

Bones extended upward from its spine, giving it a high, arched back.

In contrast to other hadrosaurs like Edmontosaurus and Maiasaura, whose fossils have been found in large numbers, very few Parasaurolophus fossils have been discovered.
This suggests that Parasaurolophus was one of the least numerous dinosaur species and may have lived a solitary life rather than in herds.

Diet and Behavior

Parasaurolophus was capable of walking on two or four legs, but due to its large body, it was not able to move very quickly.

Hadrosaurs had a special dental structure called a “dental battery,” which consisted of many rows of small, packed teeth.
They used their duck-like, broad beak to cut off plants and then used their back teeth to grind them into a pulp for easier digestion.

In recent years, a dinosaur similar to Parasaurolophus was found in China, so it is no longer considered a one-of-a-kind creature.
However, its mysterious crest and enigmatic ecology continue to fascinate many people today.