**Velafrons: A Unique Dinosaur from Mexico**
Velafrons is a type of dinosaur that lived during the Late Cretaceous period, around 73.5 million years ago. This dinosaur was discovered in Mexico, specifically in an area called Coahuila.
**What Does the Name Mean?**
The name “Velafrons” comes from the Spanish word “vela,” meaning sail, and the Latin word “frons,” meaning forehead. This name refers to a distinctive bony crest located on its forehead.
**Fossil Discovery**
The discovery of Velafrons was a result of many paleontological expeditions, which started in 1986. One significant location for these discoveries was a site near Rincon Colorado. There, scientists found a mostly complete skull and parts of the skeleton of a young Velafrons. The main fossil, known as CPC-59, was described in 2007 by paleontologist Terry Gates and others, marking it as the first new genus of this kind of dinosaur from North America in over 70 years.
**What Did Velafrons Look Like?**
Velafrons was a medium-sized dinosaur, measuring about 7.5 meters long, which is roughly 25 feet, and it weighed around 2.5 metric tons. It had a large head compared to other young dinosaurs of its kind. Velafrons had similarities with other known dinosaurs, such as Corythosaurus and Hypacrosaurus.
Scientists believe that Velafrons was a plant-eater, also known as a herbivore. The fossils indicate that it had a structure in its neck and a unique skull, suggesting it was a creature that could have grown larger than the size we know from its discovered fossils.
**Conclusion**
In summary, Velafrons is an exciting dinosaur from history. With its unique features and interesting background, it helps us learn more about the variety of life that existed millions of years ago on Earth. Scientists continue to study Velafrons and hope to learn even more about this fascinating dinosaur.