Prosaurolophus
Order: Ornithischia · Suborder: Ornithopoda · Infraorder: Iguanodontia · Family: Hadrosauridae
Discovered in Alberta, Canada, Prosaurolophus is the earliest known flat-crested hadrosaur. It had a miniature crest that rose like small knobs above its eyes and ended in a short, backward-pointing spike. Its duck-bill was smaller and shorter, and less widely flared than that of Anatotitan. It carried its body horizontally, balanced by a long, crocodile-like tail.
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Reference background: Natural History Museum, London — Dinosaurs; Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History — Dinosaurs; American Museum of Natural History — Dinosaurs & Fossils. Figures are typical published ranges; taxonomy follows the source era and modern consensus is noted where it differs. See our sources & fact-check policy.
Frequently asked questions
What does Prosaurolophus mean?
The name Prosaurolophus means “First Crested Lizard, or Before Saurolophus”. It is pronounced pro-SAWR-OL-uh-fus.
When did Prosaurolophus live?
Prosaurolophus lived during the Late Cretaceous.
Was Prosaurolophus a carnivore or a herbivore?
Prosaurolophus was a herbivore.
How big was Prosaurolophus?
Prosaurolophus was about 26 feet (7.9 meters) long, around 14 feet (4.3 meters) tall.
Related dinosaurs
Other dinosaurs from the Hadrosauridae family.
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