Pachyrhinosaurus, whose name translates to “thick-nosed” dinosaur, lived in what is now North America during the Late Cretaceous period. With its distinctive thick, bony nasal boss, this dinosaur is a testament to the diversity and adaptability of life on Earth millions of years ago. As we journey back in time, we’ll explore the world of this fascinating dinosaur, from its origins and taxonomy to its discovery and the environment it thrived in.
Pachyrhinosaurus Key Facts
| Keyword | Fact |
|---|---|
| Pachyrhinosaurus pronunciation | pack-ee-RINE-oh-sore-us |
| Meaning of name | Thick-nosed lizard |
| Group | Ceratopsia |
| Type Species | Pachyrhinosaurus canadensis |
| Diet | Herbivore |
| When it Lived | 72.1 to 66.0 MYA |
| Period | Late Cretaceous |
| Epoch | Maastrichtian to Early/Lower Maastrichtian |
| Length | 19.7 to 26.2 ft |
| Height | 7.5 ft |
| Weight | 3.3 to 4.0 tons |
| Mobility | Moved on four legs |
| First Discovery | 1946 by Charles Mortram Sternberg |
| Location of first find | Alberta, Canada |
| First Described by | 1950 by Charles Mortram Sternberg |
| Holotype | NMC 8867 |
Pachyrhinosaurus Taxonomy and Timeline
Pachyrhinosaurus (thick-nosed lizard) is a testament to the descriptive nature of scientific nomenclature. Its name is derived from the Greek words ‘pachy’ (thick), ‘rino’ (nose), and ‘sauros’ (reptile/lizard). This perfectly encapsulates one of its most distinctive features–its thick, bony nasal boss.
Belonging to the group Ceratopsia, its part of the Ceratopsidae family–a group of herbivorous dinosaurs known for their beak mouths and distinctive frills and horns. These features, combined with their large size and typically quadrupedal stance, make them some of the most recognizable dinosaurs. The genus includes the type species Pachyrhinosaurus canadensis, named in reference to its discovery in Canada. Other species in this genus include P. lakustai and P. prerotum.
The Cretaceous period, during which Pachyrhinosaurus lived, was a time of significant geological and environmental changes. The continents were slowly drifting apart, creating the familiar shapes and positions we recognize today. The climate was generally warmer and more humid than today, with active volcanism contributing to these conditions. This warm, humid climate would have created a lush, verdant environment for Pachyrhinosaurus, teeming with a variety of plant life for this herbivore to feast on.
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Discovery & Fossil Evidence
The story of this discovery begins in 1946 in the rugged landscapes of Alberta, Canada. It was here that Charles M. Sternberg, a renowned fossil collector and paleontologist, unearthed the first known Pachyrhinosaurus fossil remains. Sternberg’s discovery was significant and he went on to describe the dinosaur in 1950.
Sternberg’s discovery was just the beginning of our understanding of Pachyrhinosaurus. Since his initial find, additional fossils have been discovered, notably in Alaska. These later finds have expanded our understanding of this dinosaur by providing further insight into its physical characteristics and lifestyle. Each new discovery adds another piece to the puzzle and helps us to paint a more complete picture of this fascinating creature and the world it inhabited.
Pachyrhinosaurus Size and Description
This was a ceratopsian dinosaur, a group known for their horned faces and frilled neck shields. Its most distinctive feature was its thick, bony nasal boss, a feature that sets it apart from other ceratopsians. This nasal boss, its large body, and its quadrupedal stance would have made it a formidable presence in its environment.
Size and Weight of Type Species
Pachyrhinosaurus was likely a large dinosaur with a body length somewhere between 19.7 to 26.2 feet. Its estimated height is around 7.5 feet, and it weighed between 3 and 4 tons. This size would have made it one of the larger ceratopsians, a group known for their large body sizes.
As a large herbivore, it would have needed to consume large amounts of plant matter to sustain its size. Its large size would have also offered some protection against predators, as few carnivorous dinosaurs would have been able to take on a full-grown Pachyrhinosaurus.
The Dinosaur in Detail
Pachyrhinosaurus is a dinosaur that stands out not just for its size, but also for its unique features. Its thick, bony nasal boss for which it is named is unlike anything seen in modern reptiles. It also had smaller flattened bosses above its eyes in place of horns. These bosses have been used to distinguish between species of Pachyrhinosaurus.
Its body was built for an herbivorous lifestyle. Strong limbs would have supported its large body as it moved through its environment to forage for plant matter. Its long tail would have provided balance while its frilled neck shield could have served a variety of purposes, from defense against predators to a display feature for attracting mates.
The Pachyrhinosaurus’s skull is particularly interesting. Despite having bosses instead of horns on its face, it still had a pair of horns growing upwards from the top of its frill. These features would have made its head a formidable weapon, potentially used in combat with other Pachyrhinosaurus or against predators.
Pachyrhinosaurus in its Natural Habitat
Pachyrhinosaurus lived during the Late Cretaceous period during a time of significant geological and environmental changes. The continents were slowly drifting apart, creating the familiar shapes and positions we recognize today. North America was still split into two paleocontinents. The climate was generally warmer and more humid than today, with active volcanism contributing to these conditions. The polar regions were free of ice, covered instead by lush forests.
The warm, humid climate of Laramidia would have created a lush, verdant environment for this herbivore, teeming with a variety of plant life for it to feast on. With its large size and herbivorous diet, it would have played a significant role in shaping its environment. By feeding on plants, it would have helped to control plant populations and contribute to the cycling of nutrients in the ecosystem.
Its lifestyle would have been shaped by its environment. As a large herbivore, it would have needed to consume large amounts of plant matter to sustain its size. This size alone would help to deter predators. Its thick nasal boss and frilled neck shield could have served as defensive weapons, helping to deter potential predators even further.
Interesting Points about Pachyrhinosaurus
- Its thick nasal boss is a unique feature among ceratopsians, which typically have large horns on their noses.
- It lived during the Late Cretaceous period, a time of significant geological and environmental changes, with the continents slowly taking on their modern forms.
- This dinosaur was first discovered in Alberta, Canada in 1946 by Charles M. Sternberg. Since then, additional fossils have been found in Alaska.
- It was a large dinosaur, with a body length of around 20 feet and a weight of several tons. This size would have made it one of the larger ceratopsians.
- As an herbivore, it fed on the abundant plant life in its environment. Its large size would have required it to consume large amounts of plant matter.
Contemporary Dinosaurs
Pachyrhinosaurus was a creature of notable resilience that shared its world with a large group of contemporaries. Among them were Edmontosaurus, Ankylosaurus, and Albertosaurus, each of their lives woven together in a complex web of survival and competition.
Edmontosaurus was another herbivore that may have been a companion in the quest for sustenance. Their shared dietary preferences could have led to a friendly rivalry in a competition for the most lush and nutritious vegetation. Yet despite their potential rivalry, these two species coexisted and each found their niche in the ecosystem. Ankylosaurus, with its armored body and club-like tail, presents a stark contrast to Pachyrhinosaurus. This dinosaur was built like a living tank and might have been an intimidating presence. Yet it was another herbivore–a testament to the diverse forms that plant-eating dinosaurs could take.
Albertosaurus, on the other hand, was a ferocious carnivore. This predator’s sharp teeth and claws might have posed a threat to these herbivores. The presence of such a predator would have added an element of danger to Pachyrhinosaurus‘ existence as a constant reminder of the survival of the fittest. Yet, it’s also possible that the Pachyrhinosaurus–with its strong build and protective frill–could have held its own against such threats.
This dynamic interplay of species, each with their unique traits and roles, paints a vivid picture of a world where survival was a communal effort.
List Of All Dinosaurs
We have created a list of all dinosaurs we have covered here, sorted across the seven main groups of dinosaurs. We also include information about their type of diet, (omnivore, herbivore or carnivore) and the time they lived.
Frequently Asked Questions
The name translates to “thick-nosed lizard,” a reference to its distinctive thick, bony nasal boss. It comes from Greek roots.
The Pachyrhinosaurus lived during the Late Cretaceous period, specifically the Maastrichtian to Early/Lower Maastrichtian epoch, between 72.1 and 66 million years ago.
This was an herbivore, feeding on the abundant plant life in its environment.
It was a large dinosaur with a body length of 19.7 to 26.2 ft and a weight of several tons.
It is unique for its thick, bony nasal boss–a feature that sets it apart from other ceratopsians, which typically have large horns on their noses.
Sources
- https://www.semanticscholar.org/paper/Pachyrhinosaurus-canadensis%2C-representing-a-new-of-Sternberg/776fde5f5d4f2931f9b731d383b0ade79f66e0b7
- https://cdnsciencepub.com/doi/10.1139/cjes-2016-0110
- https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0130007
- https://bioone.org/journals/acta-palaeontologica-polonica/volume-56/issue-4/app.2010.0121/A-New-Centrosaurine-from-the-Late-Cretaceous-of-Alberta-Canada/10.4202/app.2010.0121.full#:~:text=A%20New%20Centrosaurine%20from%20the,Parietal%20Ornamentation%20in%20Horned%20Dinosaurs&text=In%201916%2C%20a%20centrosaurine%20dinosaur,Provincial%20Park%2C%20Alberta%2C%20Canada.
- https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0022710
The information in this article is based on various sources, drawing on scientific research, fossil evidence, and expert analysis. The aim is to provide a comprehensive and accurate overview of the Pachyrhinosaurus. However, be aware that our understanding of dinosaurs and their world is constantly evolving as new discoveries are made.
Article last fact-checked: Joey Arboleda, 06-12-2023
Featured Image Credit: Nobu Tamura, CC BY 3.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
