Corythosaurus
A crested duck-billed dinosaur from the Late Cretaceous.
Corythosaurus is a genus of hadrosaurid 'duck-billed' dinosaur from the Late Cretaceous period, about 77–75.7 million years ago, in what is now western North America. Corythosaurus is now thought to be a lambeosaurine, related to Lambeosaurus, Nipponosaurus, Velafrons, Hypacrosaurus, and Olorotitan.
- lived
- Late Cretaceous, about 77–75.7 million years ago
- length
- 7.7–9 metres (25–30 ft)
- weight
- 2.5–3.82 tonnes (estimated)
- skull_height
- 70.8 centimetres (27.9 in; 2.32 ft)
- type_species
- Corythosaurus casuarius
Lore & Background
The find was notable for an almost complete skeleton and impressions of much of the creature's skin. The skeleton was articulated and missing only about the last 0.61 metres of the tail and front legs. Both are now housed in the American Museum of Natural History in their original death poses.
Reader's Guide
Corythosaurus is significant for its well-preserved fossils, which include skin impressions and stomach contents, providing rare insights into the appearance and diet of hadrosaurids. The stomach cavity of one specimen contained conifer needles, seeds, twigs, and fruits, indicating its diet. The tall, hollow crest, resembling a Corinthian helmet or cassowary crest, is thought to have functioned in vocalization, amplifying sound like a trombone. Currently, only C. casuarius is recognized for certain, though C. intermedius has been recognized as valid in some studies.
Did You Know?
- Corythosaurus is named from the Greek word for 'helmet,' referring to its crest that resembles a Corinthian helmet.
- One specimen preserved its last meal, containing conifer needles, seeds, twigs, and fruits.
- The crest of Corythosaurus is thought to have been used for vocalization, amplifying sound like a trombone.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Corythosaurus?
Corythosaurus is a genus of crested hadrosaurid dinosaur, often grouped with the familiar 'duck-billed' dinosaurs, that lived during the Late Cretaceous. It is classified as a lambeosaurine, meaning it belongs to the crested subfamily of hadrosaurids rather than the flat-headed hadrosaurines.
How big was Corythosaurus?
Adults reached roughly 7.7 to 9 metres (25–30 feet) in total body length and are estimated to have weighed somewhere between 2.5 and 3.82 tonnes. The skull alone stood about 70.8 centimetres tall, largely because of the prominent hollow crest arching over the top of the head.
When and where did Corythosaurus live?
Corythosaurus inhabited what is now western North America during the Late Cretaceous, approximately 77 to 75.7 million years ago. Its fossil record comes from deposits in that region, placing it in the same broad time window as several other well-known hadrosaurids.
What dinosaurs is Corythosaurus closely related to?
As a lambeosaurine, Corythosaurus shares a closer common ancestor with Lambeosaurus, Nipponosaurus, Velafrons, Hypacrosaurus, and Olorotitan than it does with flat-headed hadrosaurines. These relatives all share the hallmark hollow cranial crest, though each genus displays a distinctly different crest shape.
What is the type species of Corythosaurus?
The type species is Corythosaurus casuarius, the original name assigned when the genus was first described. All other material referred to Corythosaurus is compared against this reference specimen to confirm its placement within the genus.
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