Parasaurolophus

Parasaurolophus is known for the long, curved tube on its head. This crest could be up to 6 feet long! It lived about 76 million years ago. Parasaurolophus was a type of duck-billed dinosaur called a hadrosaur.

The Amazing Crest

The crest of Parasaurolophus was hollow inside. Air could flow through tubes inside the crest. Scientists think this let it make loud, deep sounds like a trombone. These calls may have helped it talk to other Parasaurolophus. Each species may have had its own special sound.

Life in a Herd

Parasaurolophus was about 31 feet long and walked on two or four legs. It could switch between walking on two legs and four. It ate plants with its flat, duck-like bill. It lived in herds and may have used its loud calls to warn others about predators.

Fun Facts

• The crest of Parasaurolophus may have made a sound as loud as a foghorn.
• It could walk on two legs when it needed to move fast.
• Scientists used computers to recreate the sound its crest might have made.

Did You Know?

Parasaurolophus means "near crested lizard." The hollow crest worked like a musical instrument. Scientists built models and found it made a deep, booming sound, like a trombone!