Corythosaurus

Corythosaurus ("helmet lizard") was a duck-billed dinosaur species from the Upper Cretaceous time, about 80 million years ago. It lived in North America.

Corythosaurus Dinosaur

Discoveries

The first specimen was exposed in 1912 by Barnum Brown in Red Deer River, Alberta, Canada. As well as an approximately complete skeleton, the find was remarkable because much of the creature's fossilized skin had also survived. In 1916, the British ship Mount Temple was carrying two specimens from America to Britain. It was ruined by a German U-boat, sending its 80 million year older cargo to the bottom of the sea, where it rests to this day.

Characteristics

An herbivorous swamp-dweller, it lived in herds and fed on low-growing plants and fruits.

The beak contained no teeth, but the jaw was lined with hundreds of small, sharp teeth that were constantly replaced as they wore down and fell out.

Having webbed feet and hands, together with a flat, blade-like tail suggests that Corythosaurus spent much time actually in the water. The head crest was filled with nasal passages and probably served as a sounding device. Corythosaurus weighed in at 4 tonnes and measured 10 meters from nose to tail.

 

Over 20 skulls have been establish from this dinosaur, which makes it the most known of all USA’s duck-beaked dinosaurs. Tall, hollow bone-crests are some of the individuality of the Lambeosaurids, which this large dinosaur belonged to. It is confusing, that not all Corythosaurs had the same type of crest on their heads. The size and shape depended on the sexual category and age. Before that was discovered, up to seven dissimilar species were found. Now only one of them has been approved.

Living

The Corythosaurus was found in the American Museum of Natural History. In herds, they have wandered from side to side the forests eating low-growing plants. During their walks, they sometimes met other Hadrosaurids. Some of the Corythosaurus-bones were establish next to several other fossils of Gryposaurs, Prosaurolophus’, Lambeosaurs and the Parasaurolophus. If the herds got mixed up, their crest and a sharp olfactory sense would have been a great help to return to their own group. The combs must also have been used to draw females; it might even have changed color. Just alike to the other Hadrosaurids, they could use the comb as a "trumpet" to converse.

Scientists have many ideas about Corythosaurus crest. It used its crest to make honking sounds or better sense of smell or to cool itself.

Why Corythosaurus were special?
Corythosaurus was about as heavy as an elephant. Scientists named Corythosaurus dinosaurs after its helmet or crest. Corythosaurus of male had bigger crest than female and its crest was bony and hollow. Corythosaurus had many tubes which went from dinosaur's nose to its throats.
Corythosaurus facts:
Name: Corythosaurus (helmet lizard)
Size: 30 ft long and 33 ft tall
Main Facts: Corythosaurus was a plant-eating dinosaurus and its crest were formed from the nasal and upper lip bone.
Rich resources:
Corythosaurus by christy devillier

Corythosaurus
Author:Christy Devillier
Publications:2004
Description:Describes the physical characteristics, habitat, and behavior of a crested, duck-billed dinosaur that lived about seventy million years ago.

Corythosaurus-by-dave-king

Corythosaurus
Author:Dave king
Publications:2000
Description:Introduces the defenses and food habits of the corythosaurus. A wonderful combination of book and toy, each sturdy book is shaped like a dinosaur. Inside, simple text accompanies full-color photos of amazingly life-like dinosaur models. An ideal gift for the budding paleontologist in every family.

Corythosaurus-by-Nicola-Deschamps

Corythosaurus
Author:Nicola Deschamps
Publications:2000
Description:Published by Dorling Kindersley and it describes the physical characteristics, habitat, and behavior of Corythosaurus.

Corythosaurus-by-Frances-Swann

Corythosaurus
Author:Frances Swann
Publications:1988
Description:Follows a Corythosaurus through a typical day as she feeds, prepares to lay her eggs, and interacts with other dinosaurs.