**Edmontosaurus annectens** is an interesting dinosaur that lived during the Late Cretaceous Period, specifically around 68 to 66 million years ago.
**What is it?**
– Edmontosaurus means “connected lizard from Edmonton.”
– It belongs to a family of dinosaurs known as Hadrosauridae, which are often called “duck-billed dinosaurs” because of their unique snouts.
**Where did it live?**
– Fossils of Edmontosaurus have been found in areas that are now parts of Canada and the United States, particularly in Montana, South Dakota, North Dakota, Wyoming, and Colorado.
– These regions held a mix of environments, from forests to wetlands, where Edmontosaurus likely roamed.
**How big was it?**
– Edmontosaurus annectens was a large dinosaur that measured about 12 meters (or about 39 feet) long.
– It weighed around 5.6 metric tons (or about 6.2 short tons). Some larger individuals may have measured even more.
**What did it look like?**
– Its most notable feature was its long, flat skull that resembled a duck’s bill. The shape of its head played a crucial role in feeding.
– The dinosaur did not have any teeth in the front of its mouth but had many teeth in the back that were tightly packed into rows. This allowed it to grind up tough plant materials.
**Discovery and History**
Edmontosaurus annectens has a complex history of classification. Over time, it has been known by several names as paleontologists tried to categorize its remains:
– At first, it was called **Anatosaurus** and was then associated with other names like **Claosaurus** and **Thespesius**.
– Eventually, it was recognized as a distinct species named Edmontosaurus.
**Paleobiology and Diet**
– As a herbivore, Edmontosaurus fed on a variety of plants, including ferns and conifers. Its unique jaw structure allowed for a chewing-like motion, which would have been essential for grinding up its food.
– This dinosaur likely moved around both on two legs and four legs, depending on the situation.
**Group Behavior**
– Edmontosaurus annectens was likely very social and may have traveled in herds, which is suggested by the discovery of juvenile fossils alongside adults in the same areas.
**Paleoecology**
– The time it lived was just before a significant extinction event known as the Cretaceous-Paleogene extinction, which led to the disappearance of many dinosaur species, including Edmontosaurus.
In summary, Edmontosaurus annectens is a fascinating dinosaur known for its unique appearance and significant role in the ecosystems of the Late Cretaceous. Its classification history reflects the complexity of understanding prehistoric life, and studies continue to reveal more about this large herbivore.