LAMBEOSAURUS: CREATE YOUR OWN IMAGE

Named in honor of Lawrence Lambe, an early paleontologist, Lambeosaurus was the first Duck-billed Dinosaur (Hadrosaur) to be found in North America (in 1927). The largest-known Duck-billed Dinosaur, Lambeosaurus had a hatchet-shaped crest. (This crest was tall and flat, pointing forward with a prong jutting out in the back of the head.) Living about 83 million years ago in Eurasia and North America, He browsed on twigs and flowering plants.

            The crest of Lambeosaurus was the subject of mistaken ideas by early paleontologists. Since each crest of a Lambeosaurus differed by age and sex, paleontologists believed that each individual Lambeosaurus was a different species of Dinosaur. After much study, later scientists realized that all of these Dinosaurs were the same species at different ages. Young Lambeosaurus had a low crest with no backward prong. Adult Lambeosaurus had a taller and more elaborate crest. Meanwhile Male Lambeosaurus had a large crest to impress the mating Females.

            The hollow crest of Lambeosaurus was filled with nasal passages, since it was a part of his nose. He used his crest to make bellowing calls to his Friends. Living in huge herds, this plant eater had no defenses against a predatory Tyrannosaurus rex, and needed an effective alarm system. Therefore, a guard Lambeosaurus would “honk” with his crest to warn the others to quickly run away, from danger, on their hind legs.

            Be creative with your image teaches Lambeosaurus. He always stood out in his herd with his particular crest. Moreover in a large group, He always knew his friends by their crests, and by their particular hooting. As his crest changed as He matured, Lambeosaurus gloried in who He was becoming. Lambeosaurus embraced his growth, and continued to be Himself in his unique way.