**Astrodon: A Giant Dinosaur**
Astrodon is a type of large dinosaur that lived during the Early Cretaceous period, around 112 million years ago.
This herbivorous dinosaur could grow as long as 20 meters and stand about 9 meters tall, weighing around 20 tons. Fossils of Astrodon were found in an area that is now part of the eastern United States, especially in Maryland.
**Discovery of Astrodon**
The discovery of Astrodon began in 1858 when two dinosaur teeth were found in a mine in Maryland. A chemist named Philip Thomas Tyson received these teeth and showed them to a dentist named Christopher Johnston. Johnston noticed a unique star-shaped pattern in one of the teeth and decided to name the dinosaur Astrodon in 1859.
However, it wasn’t until 1865 that Joseph Leidy gave the dinosaur the full name Astrodon johnstoni, making it the first dinosaur named in the United States. Over the years, other names were proposed for related bones, but many scientists believe that they belong to the same species as Astrodon johnstoni.
**Home and Habitat**
Fossils of Astrodon were mostly found in the Arundel Formation, which dates back to the Early Cretaceous. This area was likely a flat plain with running streams, resembling parts of today’s coastal regions in the southeastern United States.
Astrodon also had relatives living in nearby places like Oklahoma, sharing its habitat with many other dinosaurs and prehistoric animals.
**Dinosaurs and Other Creatures Nearby**
In Maryland, Astrodon shared its environment with various dinosaurs. Some of these included:
– Coelurosaurians (small theropod dinosaurs)
– Priconodon, an ankylosaur
– Acrocanthosaurus, a large predator
Other animals like sharks, turtles, and early mammals were also present. The plant life included trees and cycads, offering a lush environment for Astrodon.
**Astrodon in Culture**
In 1998, Astrodon johnstoni was designated the state dinosaur of Maryland. It was also previously named the state dinosaur of Texas.
Today, models of Astrodon can be seen in museums, showcasing what this massive dinosaur might have looked like when it roamed the Earth.
Astrodon remains an important part of dinosaur history and represents the fascinating world of the Cretaceous period.