Zhanghenglong is a fascinating extinct genus of dinosaur from the Late Cretaceous period, around 85 million years ago. It was discovered in the Majiacun Formation in Henan Province, China.
This dinosaur belonged to a group known as hadrosauroids, which were generally herbivorous dinosaurs that walked on two legs and had duck-like bills. Zhanghenglong is recognized for its unique features and is classified as Zhanghenglong yangchengensis, the only species in its genus.
The name “Zhanghenglong” honors a famous Chinese scientist from ancient times, while “long” means “dragon” in Mandarin. The species name refers to Yangcheng, which is linked to the area’s ancient history.
The remains of Zhanghenglong were first found in 2011. The initial discovery included a partial skull with parts of the jaw and some bones from its body. By 2014, a group of scientists, including Xing Hai and his team, officially named and described this dinosaur.
Zhanghenglong is believed to show a mix of features from both older non-hadrosaurid dinosaur types and more advanced hadrosaurids. This might mean it was a kind of “in-between” dinosaur, likely closely related to modern duck-billed dinosaurs.
The fossils of Zhanghenglong help scientists learn more about dinosaur evolution, especially in the diverse group of hadrosaurs. Its discovery is essential for understanding the variety of dinosaur life during the Late Cretaceous period.