Buzz
With their striking crests, clubbed tails, and banana-sized teeth, it’s easy to imagine dinosaurs as inhabitants of a distant, alien planet. Yet, they lived right here on Earth, walking the same lands and breathing the same air as we do. The Parasaurolophus, with its unique features, reminds us that our skies once echoed with the sounds of these magnificent creatures. Here’s a closer look at this fascinating dinosaur.
1. Its Hollow Crest Functioned Like a Musical Wind Instrument.
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The iconic crest of Parasaurolophus holds secrets beyond its appearance. Internally, a network of hollow chambers connects directly to its nasal passages, resembling the intricate design of European crumhorns. Paleontologists believe this structure served as a resonating chamber, allowing the dinosaur to emit deep, far-reaching calls during exhalations 75 million years ago.
2. Hear a Simulation of What Parasaurolophus Might Have Sounded Like.
In the 1990s, a collaboration between American paleontologists and computer experts brought the dinosaur’s calls back to life. By analyzing the intricate details of a fossilized skull, they recreated the haunting sounds that Parasaurolophus likely used to communicate across ancient valleys. This recording is not only scientifically fascinating but also makes for a truly unique ringtone!
3. A Relative of Parasaurolophus Was Named After the Ferryman of the Underworld.
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In Greek mythology, Charon was the ferryman who transported souls across the river to the Underworld for a fee. In 2000, a stunning dinosaur skeleton discovered near Asia’s Amur River was named Charonosaurus in tribute to this mythical figure.
4. Researchers Initially Believed Parasaurolophus’ Crest Functioned as a Snorkel.
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A functional snorkel requires an air hole, but Parasaurolophus’ crest, while hollow, lacks any external openings. This made underwater breathing impossible, leading to the quick dismissal of this theory. Unsurprisingly, the idea soon went extinct.
5. Fossilized Evidence of Parasaurolophus Skin Has Been Discovered.
Fossilized skin impressions are rare, but a textured patch of scales was found alongside an Albertan Parasaurolophus skeleton, providing a glimpse into its physical appearance.
6. A Highly Advanced Species of Parasaurolophus Appeared as Antagonists in Star Trek.
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In the third-season episode of Star Trek: Voyager titled “Distant Origin,” the crew encounters the Voths, a humanoid alien species descended from Parasaurolophus. These beings escaped Earth before the dinosaur extinction and evolved in a distant galaxy.
7. The Vocalizations of Parasaurolophus Shifted After Reaching Adulthood.
Anyone over the age of 12 can relate to this experience. By analyzing the inner ear and crest structures of both adult and juvenile Parasaurolophus, researchers discovered that younger individuals were adapted to produce and hear higher-pitched sounds. Similar to humans, their vocalizations deepened as they matured.
8. Several Relatives of Parasaurolophus Sported Equally Extravagant Head Crests.
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Notable examples include the stunning Olorotitan from Russia and the uniquely crested Lambeosaurus lambei found in western Canada.
9. The Most Remarkable Parasaurolophus Skeleton Ever Discovered Was Unearthed by a Teenager.
Before starting college, Kevin Terris made a groundbreaking scientific discovery. In 2009, the 17-year-old from Utah joined paleontologist Andrew Farke on a fossil expedition. Terris spotted something remarkable in the rocks—a baby Parasaurolophus skull with an attached skeleton, now known as “Joe.” This specimen is the most well-preserved of its kind. Farke remarked, “It’s a little embarrassing to walk by something like that, but [Terris] was just in the right place at the right time, looking from the right angle.”
10. Parasaurolophus Has Become a Star of the Screen.
This charismatic dinosaur has graced the silver screen in numerous films, including all three Jurassic Park movies, the Land Before Time series, and Disney’s Dinosaur (2000). Its impressive filmography even includes the quirky buddy cop comedy Theodore Rex (1995), where Whoopi Goldberg teams up with a vegetarian Tyrannosaurus—a premise that’s as bizarre as it is unforgettable.
