Altirhinus is a type of dinosaur that lived during the Early Cretaceous period, around 125 to 100 million years ago. This dinosaur was discovered in Mongolia, and its name means “high nose.”
**Discovery History**
The remains of Altirhinus were found in 1981 during a collaboration between Soviet and Mongolian scientists. The fossils were located in the Khuren Dukh Formation in Mongolia. Along with Altirhinus, other dinosaurs like Psittacosaurus and Shamosaurus were also found in this area.
The main fossil, known as the holotype, is a well-preserved skull along with some other bones. It took a while to give this dinosaur its own name because its fossils were first thought to be part of another dinosaur called Iguanodon. In 1998, a paleontologist named David Norman officially named it Altirhinus kurzanovi, in honor of one of the scientists who found the fossils.
**Physical Description**
Altirhinus was a plant-eating dinosaur, and it could walk on two legs, but when it needed to feed close to the ground, it likely used four legs. It could grow to about 26 feet long, according to some estimates. Its skull was about 30 inches long and had a unique tall arch on its snout that gave it its name.
**Classification**
Altirhinus is part of a group of dinosaurs called iguanodontians. These dinosaurs are known for their herbivorous diets and are closely related to the hadrosaurs, which are famous for their duck-bill shapes.
**Lifestyle and Behavior**
Altirhinus was mostly a biped, meaning it walked on two legs, but it could also go on all fours. Its arms were shorter than its legs, but they were strong enough to support its body. It had a special thumb spike that may have been used for defense or breaking open seeds and fruits.
The dinosaur had a unique way of eating. It had a gap between its beak and teeth, allowing it to bite off plants while chewing. This kind of feature can also be seen in some modern animals like cows and horses that graze on the ground.
The arched shape of its snout might have had several purposes. It could help with cooling blood, enhancing smell, or even communicating with others. Since only a few skulls have been found, it’s possible that this feature was present in only one gender, potentially for mating displays.
In summary, Altirhinus was an interesting dinosaur with many unique features that helped it adapt to its environment. It had a special way of eating plants, and its physical traits may have played roles in its daily life and interactions with others.