Parasaurolophus Anatomy in 3D: Skeleton, Organs and the Trumpet Crest
Parasaurolophus was a duck-billed dinosaur with a long hollow crest on its head that probably worked like a trumpet. In the 3D Dinosaur Anatomy simulator you can turn it around, look inside and explore its skeleton.
Explore in 3DThree ways to see Parasaurolophus
Full body
Fossil skeletonParasaurolophus quick facts
| Lived | About 76 to 73 million years ago, Late Cretaceous |
|---|---|
| Length | About 9 to 10 m |
| Weight | About 2.5 tonnes |
| Diet | Plants |
| Fossils found in | Western North America |
The Parasaurolophus fossil skeleton
The Parasaurolophus skeleton has a long backward-curving crest on the skull, made of hollow tubes connected to the nose. It had a broad duck-like beak, many grinding teeth, and legs that let it walk on two feet or on all four.
Inside Parasaurolophus
In the Inside view you can tap these labels on the 3D model:
- Brain
- Linked to the hollow crest, which it probably used to make deep calls.
- Heart
- Pumps blood around the whole body, all day and night.
- Lungs
- Take in oxygen from the air with every breath.
- Intestines
- Long tubes that soak up food into the body.
Interesting facts about Parasaurolophus
- Its crest was hollow inside, with tubes running from the nostrils.
- Air blowing through the crest probably made deep, trumpet-like calls.
- It was a hadrosaur, one of the duck-billed dinosaurs.
- It had hundreds of teeth packed together for grinding plants.
- It could walk on two legs or on all four.
More dinosaurs and prehistoric reptiles in 3D
Parasaurolophus anatomy questions
What was the Parasaurolophus crest for?
It was probably used to make loud low calls and to show off to other Parasaurolophus.
Was Parasaurolophus a duck-billed dinosaur?
Yes. It was a hadrosaur, the group known as duck-billed dinosaurs.
How big was Parasaurolophus?
About 9 to 10 m long and around 2.5 tonnes.
Where did Parasaurolophus live?
In western North America, about 76 to 73 million years ago.
The 3D Dinosaur Anatomy simulator is made by Julian Neagu, a solo founder in London, as part of VisionVix Simulators. It is free to use in the browser on desktop and phone, with no sign-up.