The Hypsibema was an ornithischian herbivore that lived during the Upper Cretaceous period in the present-day USA, particularly in the states of Missouri and North Carolina. Though initially classified as a sauropod, scientists later determined that it was a hadrosaur whose snout closely resembled the bill of a duck.
Key Facts
| Domain | Description |
|---|---|
| Hypsibema pronunciation | hip-suh-bee-muh |
| What does Hypsibema mean? | High Step |
| Dinosaur type | Ornithischian |
| On the menu | Herbivore |
| Length | 30-35 ft (10-11m) |
| Height | 10 ft (3m) |
| Weight | 2.7-3.6 tons |
| Life expectancy | Unknown |
| Legs used to get around | Quadrupedal |
| Estimated top speed | Unknown |
| When they lived | Upper Cretaceous, 75 million years ago |
| Where they have been found? | USA |
When & Where
The type species, Hypsibema crassicauda, was first discovered in Sampson County, North Carolina, USA, and was described by Edward Drinker Cope in 1869. It is known from several partial skeletons and is one of the best-known dinosaurs from the eastern United States.
Size & Weight
Based on the size of its bones, it is thought to have been a relatively large hadrosaurid, perhaps weighing up to several tons. Hadrosaurids were among the largest dinosaurs, and some species may have reached weights of over 10 tons. Their lengths are estimated to have reached 30 feet or more.
Mobility & Diet
Based on its anatomy, it is likely that Hypsibema crassicauda was a highly mobile animal. Like other hadrosaurids, it would have had strong legs and a powerful tail, which would have allowed it to move quickly on land.
As for their diet, Hadrosaurids were known for their elaborate dental structures, which would have allowed them to grind up tough plant material and extract nutrients from it. It is not known for certain what specific plants Hypsibema crassicauda would have eaten, but it is likely that it would have fed on a wide variety of vegetation, including ferns, conifers, and other types of plants that were common during the Upper Cretaceous period.
Interesting Points
- It was an extinct species of dinosaur that lived during the Upper Cretaceous period, approximately 75 to 66 million years ago.
- It is thought to have been a relatively large hadrosaurid, perhaps reaching lengths of up to 30 feet or more and weighing up to several tons.
- It is likely that Hypsibema crassicauda was a highly mobile animal and a herbivorous dinosaur that ate a wide variety of plants.
- It lived during the Upper Cretaceous period, which was a time of great diversity among dinosaurs.
Featured Image Credit: Missouri Department of Natural Resources