Buzz
A groundbreaking dinosaur discovery is reshaping scientists' understanding of dinosaur habitats and their geographical range. Experts from Florida State University and the University of Alaska Fairbanks unearthed the fossils of a 30-foot duck-billed dinosaur near the Colville River in northern Alaska, marking it as the most northerly dinosaur species ever found.
The dinosaur, named Ugrunaaluk kuukpikensis, likely endured dark winters and snowy conditions, unlike its southern counterparts. This species shares a lineage with duck-billed dinosaurs from 70 million years ago found in Alberta, Montana, and South Dakota, but its distinct skull structure sets it apart as a unique species.
This herbivorous dinosaur inhabited a region at approximately 80 degrees north latitude, deep within the Arctic. Although the climate was milder than today, it still faced average winter temperatures of about 43 degrees Fahrenheit and likely encountered snow. Despite the warmer conditions, the polar environment would have subjected the species to prolonged periods of darkness during winter.
"We're uncovering a hidden world of dinosaurs, filled with species entirely unknown to science," stated Greg Erickson, a co-author of the study published in Acta Palaeontologica Polonica, in a press release. He emphasized that this finding “completely overturns our previous understanding of dinosaur physiology.” Earlier discoveries had revealed dinosaurs living far south of the equator, in regions like Australia, which also experienced prolonged cold and darkness.
The question of how these dinosaurs evolved to survive in snowy environments remains unanswered.
