Parasaurolophus was a genus of herbivorous dinosaurs that lived during the Late Cretaceous period, about 76–73 million years ago. It belonged to the hadrosaur family, commonly known as “duck-billed dinosaurs.” Parasaurolophus is most famous for its long, backward-curving cranial crest, which could reach over 6 feet in length. Scientists believe this crest was used for communication, possibly producing low-frequency sounds, and may have also played a role in visual display or thermoregulation.
These dinosaurs were large, measuring up to 31 feet long and weighing around 2.5 tons. They were primarily plant-eaters, feeding on leaves, twigs, and other vegetation, and likely moved in herds for protection.
Fossils have been found in North America, particularly in Alberta, Canada, and New Mexico, USA.