Edmontosaurus

## Physiology

### Description

Large dinosaurs with massive tails and duck bill-like beak, short fore legs, and long hind legs

### Attributes

Large size; massive duck-bill; thousands of chewing teeth; massive tail; walks on four legs and runs on two legs

## Biography

### Locations

North America

***Edmontosaurus*** (name meaning "*Edmonton Lizard*"), also known by other names such as ***Trachodon*** (name meaning "*Marvelous Lizard*"), ***Anatosaurus*** (name meaning "*Duck Lizard*"), ***Anatotitan*** (name meaning "*Giant Duck*"), and ***Ugrunaaluk*** (name meaing "*Ancient Grazer*"), is a genus of hadrosaurid dinosaur that originated during the Late Cretaceous period in what is now North America. Measuring 13 meters long and weighing around 5 tons, *Edmontosaurus* was among the largest species of hadrosaur dinosaurs.

In the Series 2 finale "***Death of a Dynasty II: The Return of the King***", a herd of *Edmontosaurus* consisting of eight individuals in different life stages, were brought to the park from Late Cretaceous Montana 65 million years ago. They reside in the Hadrosaur Springs Enclosure with other Hadrosaurs and recently welcomed hatchlings into the herd.

## Facts

### Era & Discovery

*Edmontosaurus* lived in western North America during the Late Cretaceous period from 76 – 65 million years ago. A favorite prey item for *Tyrannosaurus*, it was among the largest herbivores of its time and was also among the last member of the hadrosaur family of dinosaurs. *Edmontosaurus* was also one of the last non-avian dinosaurs on Earth before the mass extinction event.

The first fossils of *Edmontosaurus* were discovered and named by Othniel Charles Marsh in southern Alberta, Cananda in the year 1892. It was named after Edmonton, the capital city, in the Horseshoe Canyon Formation (formerly called the lower Edmonton Formation).

### Physical Attributes

*Edmontosaurus* was a very large hadrosaurian dinosaur, arguably the largest member of the hadrosaur family. They measured over 37 – 43 feet (11 – 13 m) long, stood 9 – 13 feet (3 – 4 m) tall at the hips, and weighed 4 – 6 tons (8,000 – 13,000 lbs.), the size of a railroad boxcar. Like the *Iguanodon* dinosaurs before it, *Edmontosaurus* walked on all four legs and ran on their hind legs, reaching speeds of 50kph. Despite its relatively large size, *Edmontosaurus* was preyed upon by predators, including the North American apex predator, *Tyrannosaurus rex*, as it viewed *Edmontosaurus* as a favorite prey item.

It also had very large and wide hind legs and its front legs were short and chunky. *Edmontosaurus* was mainly yellow with brown stripes and a brown-colored bill. Its underbelly and feet were white. Like the other members of the group, *Edmontosaurus* had a large bill that resembled that of a modern duck - hence its original name. Within the bill was a large battery of teeth. These teeth were perfect for stripping vegetation and then chewing it rather than the more primitive method of swallowing it and lets its digestive system do all the work.

### Behavior & Traits

Like all herbivores, *Edmontosaurus* lived and roamed in small groups to large herds, consisting of up to thousands of members. However, most males, when they reached maturity, separated from the heard and went off on their own to form their own herds. Each year, *Edmontosaurus* would have massive migrations following the rains from north to south and back, traveling 600 miles in the process. When feeding, huge batteries of chewing teeth made short work of the vegetation they ate. When chewing, *Edmontosaurus's* jaws moved from side to side.

*Edmontosaurus* was relatively defenseless against any large carnivores, such as *Tyrannosaurus*. However, although it had very few weapons of choice, *Edmontosaurus* did possess the ability to run rather quickly for creatures as large as they were. Like its ancestors, the earlier *Iguanodon* dinosaurs, *Edmontosaurus* walked on all four legs but it could run on its hind legs at speeds of around 28 mph. However, its speed never always guaranteed its safety. Additionally, *Edmontosaurus* possessed a massive tail that measured a staggering 23 feet (7 m) long. *Edmontosaurus* was able to use its tail like the arm of a crane, swinging it against smaller attackers like *Dromaeosaurus* and *Dakotaraptor*.

## Trivia

* *Edmontosaurus* was the largest hadrosaur, as well as ornithopod, brought to the park.
* The sound effects of *Edmontosaurus* are that of camel, duck, elephant, geese, moose, hippo, and horse sound effects. It also produces sounds featured in "*Jurassic Fight Club*" and the "*Walking with Dinosaurs*" movie.