Parasaurolophus, a unique dinosaur, is distinguished by its prominent, hollow crest extending from the back of its skull. This striking feature prompts questions about its purpose and the environment it inhabited. Understanding its habitat reveals the ancient landscapes and ecological conditions that supported this remarkable herbivore.
Geographical Distribution
Parasaurolophus fossils provide direct evidence of its ancient range across western North America. The first specimen, Parasaurolophus walkeri, was discovered in 1920 in Alberta, Canada, within the Dinosaur Park Formation. This formation, part of Dinosaur Provincial Park, is renowned for its rich fossil deposits.
Additional species have expanded its known geographical distribution. Parasaurolophus tubicen fossils were unearthed in New Mexico’s Kirtland Formation, while Parasaurolophus cyrtocristatus specimens were found in New Mexico and Utah, within the Fruitland and Kaiparowits formations. These discoveries across modern-day Alberta, Utah, and New Mexico confirm Parasaurolophus inhabited a significant portion of western North America. The fossil record serves as the primary basis for mapping its ancient territories.
Their Ancient World
Parasaurolophus lived during the Late Cretaceous period, approximately 76.5 to 73 million years ago, within the Campanian and potentially early Maastrichtian stages. This epoch had a significantly warmer global climate than today, with little to no polar ice. Higher sea levels led to widespread shallow seas across continental landmasses.
During this era, North America was divided by the Western Interior Seaway, a vast inland sea. All known Parasaurolophus fossils have been found on the western landmass, Laramidia. This separation influenced the climate and shaped landscapes where diverse dinosaur faunas, including Parasaurolophus, thrived. The warmer climate allowed lush environments to flourish.
Life in Their Habitat
Within its North American range, Parasaurolophus inhabited environments with abundant water and vegetation. Evidence suggests it lived in lush, humid coastal plains, river floodplains, and swampy areas. These low-relief settings, particularly those near the Western Interior Seaway, provided the resources necessary for its survival.
The Dinosaur Park Formation, for example, is interpreted as a system of rivers and floodplains that transitioned into swampier, marine-influenced conditions. The vegetation in these habitats was diverse, providing ample food for this herbivorous dinosaur.
Conifers were prominent canopy plants, while the understory featured ferns, tree ferns, and early flowering plants (angiosperms). Parasaurolophus, a hadrosaurid, was adapted to consume a variety of plant material, using its beak to crop foliage and its dental batteries to grind tough leaves, twigs, and pine needles. These rich, water-fed environments, with their varied plant life, formed its ecological niche.