New Jersey holds a unique position in the history of dinosaur paleontology, serving as a significant site for understanding ancient life in North America. The state’s geological formations have preserved a rich fossil record, particularly from the Late Cretaceous period. This record offers a glimpse into a prehistoric world, revealing the types of dinosaurs that once roamed its ancient landscapes.
Pioneering Discoveries
The most significant paleontological discovery in New Jersey, and in North America, was that of Hadrosaurus foulkii in Haddonfield. In 1858, William Parker Foulke, an amateur geologist, began an excavation after learning about large bones found on John Estaugh Hopkins’ farm two decades earlier. Foulke’s efforts, with Philadelphia anatomist Dr. Joseph Leidy, led to the recovery of a nearly complete dinosaur skeleton, missing only the skull. This finding was important because previous dinosaur discoveries in North America were limited to isolated bones, providing little insight into their overall appearance.
Leidy’s study of Hadrosaurus foulkii provided the first detailed scientific description of a dinosaur’s anatomy, suggesting it was a bipedal, amphibious reptile. In 1868, this skeleton became the first dinosaur mounted for public display globally, drawing public interest and advancing paleontology. The discovery influenced scientific thought, providing evidence of what dinosaurs looked like and stimulating further exploration.
Notable Dinosaurs of the Garden State
Beyond Hadrosaurus foulkii, New Jersey’s Late Cretaceous sediments have yielded fossils from various other dinosaur groups. Hadrosaurs, or “duck-billed dinosaurs,” like Hadrosaurus, were common herbivores reaching 23 to 26 feet long and weighing seven to eight tons. These plant-eaters had broad, toothless beaks and numerous grinding teeth, allowing them to process tough vegetation. While Hadrosaurus foulkii is the state’s official dinosaur, other hadrosaur remains have been found, indicating a diverse population of these animals.
Among the carnivorous dinosaurs, the tyrannosauroid Dryptosaurus aquilunguis stands out as the first partially complete skeleton of a North American theropod. This predator, a smaller relative of Tyrannosaurus rex, stalked prey in the region and possessed sharp, compressed teeth suitable for tearing flesh. Fossil evidence also suggests the presence of ornithomimids, often called “ostrich dinosaurs” due to their slender build and long limbs. Dromaeosaurids, or “raptor dinosaurs,” characterized by their sickle-shaped claws, also inhabited ancient New Jersey, with evidence coming from teeth and other isolated elements. Additionally, nodosaurs, armored herbivores, have been identified from scattered fossil finds.
The Cretaceous Landscape of Ancient New Jersey
During the Late Cretaceous period, approximately 75 to 65 million years ago, ancient New Jersey experienced a subtropical climate. This warm, humid environment supported a rich ecosystem, distinct from its modern appearance. Much of southern New Jersey was submerged under a shallow sea, while the northern part of the state remained dry land.
The geography of this period featured a coastal plain with extensive rivers, swamps, and forests. Fluctuating sea levels created diverse marine and coastal environments. Plant life included various angiosperms (flowering plants), which became the dominant flora, alongside conifers, cycads, and ferns. This lush vegetation provided ample food for herbivorous dinosaurs and supported both plant-eaters and predators.