Parasaurolophus, the "Near Crested
Lizard," was a very nasally
ornithopod, making it an odd but 
well-liked dinosaur in the eyes of 
its adoring fans. With an estimated 
length of nine and a half meters and
a maximum height of threeto four 
meters, it was a heavily-built 
dinosaur that could switch between 
bipedal and quadrupedal postures at 
will. Its odd crest is a point of 
interest to fans and scientists 
alike, with multiple hypothesized 
functions. For both genders, the 
crest likely acted as a sign of 
recognition between members of 
herds. For males specifically, 
though, it was probably for 
attracting potential mates. Its 
crest may also have helped with 
thermoregulation, depending on if 
there was a flap of skin connecting 
the crest to the head or not. It may
have also served as a resonating 
chamber used for producing loud and 
low bellows, which could alert all 
members of a herd to danger.

Roaming North America during the
Cretaceous, parasaurolophus lived
along fellow herbivores like
corythosaurus and carnivores like 
gorgosaurus. It grinded plants
in a chewing-like motion, with its
beak cropping plant matter while
its cheeks holding it firmly in its
mouth. Parasaurolophus fed upon
plants of varying heights due to 
its range of postures.
