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Parasaurolophus walkeri

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description Parasaurolophus walkeri Overview

Parasaurolophus walkeri is a species of large herbivorous hadrosaurid dinosaur from the Late Cretaceous of western North America. It is distinguished by a long, hollow cranial crest extending backward from the skull, with internal passages connected to the respiratory tract. Research has examined the crest as a structure for visual display, species recognition, and sound production, while its dental batteries and duck-like beak were adaptations for processing plant material.

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What was the long crest of Parasaurolophus walkeri used for?

The crest contains elongated internal air passages connected to the nasal system. Researchers have proposed roles in sound production, visual display, and species recognition, while older snorkel interpretations are not supported by its anatomy.

What might Parasaurolophus have sounded like?

Computer modeling of the crest's resonating passages suggests it could have produced low-frequency, horn-like calls. The exact sound cannot be recovered, but the hollow crest of P. walkeri provides a physical basis for acoustic reconstruction.

Where was the Parasaurolophus walkeri holotype found?

The defining specimen was discovered in Alberta, Canada, in rocks of the Dinosaur Park Formation. William Parks named Parasaurolophus walkeri in 1922.

Did Parasaurolophus walk on two legs or four?

Like other hadrosaurids, it could move on both two legs and four. It probably used quadrupedal postures while feeding but could run bipedally, with a stiff tail helping balance the body.

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