Hadrosaurs – Outstanding Cretaceous Herbivores
Scientists from the University of Utah have published a paper on the intricately carved dinosaur head of the Dinosaur Late Cretaceous duck-billed that illustrates in detail the reasons why this group of animals is so successful.
Also, read What Dinosaur Has 500 Teeth
A skull found in a remote area of Utah – the Grand Staircase – Escalante National Monument (long enough to be the last place on the American map), was excavated in 2003 but was carefully studied and evaluated by paleontologists in 2005.
So many fossils have been found in this part of the United States of America, that archaeologists find it difficult to record and study all their fossils. It may be many years after the discovery of the fossil before it was officially described and scientifically studied.
Gryposaurus Dinosaur Skull
The skull has been identified as that of the old Gryposaurus, a member of the Hadrosaurine genus, separated from the Lambeosaurines by broad premaxillary rostrums, the circular pressure surrounding the outer naris, usually the enlarged and skeletal naris and the presence of prominent anteromedial. maxilla process. This species has been described as G. monumentensis, named after the place where it was found. Dozens of C companiesan species of Gryposaurs are best known for their discovery in the Dinosaur Provincial Park of Alberta, Canada.
This amazing skull allowed the Utah University team to carefully examine Hadrosaurs’ teeth. This skull has more than 300 teeth in the maxilla and teeth, making it an excellent grinding tool for crushing and pulling plant material. Another 500 teeth were attached to the jaw bones, ready to burst and replace any other worn teeth.
Land Sharks
Dinosaurs are sometimes called “earth sharks”. The term is used to describe how Dinosauria teeth are changed in the jaw in a way similar to a ray of fish submerged in shark-like water. If a tooth lost as a dinosaur ate or fought, the other, the alternating tooth would erupt in the jaw to replace the fallen one. In this way, dinosaurs always have an active bite and chewing gum in their teeth with their teeth. Humans, for example, unlike Dinosauria have only two teeth (baby and adult) in their lifetime.
The ability to chew their food very well may have given Ornithopod like Hadrosaurs a different advantage than other species of green dinosaurs such as the long-necked Sauropod. During the Jurassic geological period, the Sauropod created a large portion of vegetation in many habitats. However, during the Cretaceous geological period, the Ornithopods began to emerge and began to dominate the earthly ecosystem.
Herbivore 10 meters tall
Some fossils that are believed to be of this type have been found in the excavation site and paleeontologists estimate that the animal may reach a height of 30 feet [10 m] or more. Another biologist, Scott Sampson, noted that this sturdy animal was the “Arnold Schwarzenegger” of its dinosaur family. Strong jaws could make these animals adapt to a variety of plant foods, but further research is needed to determine Gryposaurus’ food preferences.
Hopefully, another coprolite (fossilized poo) will be found in conjunction with Gryposaurus fossil material. Analysis of this fossil record could provide scientists with some insight into where the duck-eating dinosaur actually ate plants.
Also, read What Dinosaur Has 500 Teeth