Parksosaurus (William Parks´s Lizard)

Basic facts

  • 8.2 feet (2.5m) length

  • Late Cretaceous

  • Canada

  • Herbivore

Parksosaurus, scientifically known as "Parksosaurus warreni," is classified as an ornithopod dinosaur. The name "Parksosaurus" pays homage to the renowned paleontologist William Parks, who contributed significantly to the field of Canadian paleontology. The species name "warreni" honors Dr. Lloyd Warren, who made significant contributions to understanding Canadian dinosaur fossils.

The discovery of Parksosaurus occurred in Dinosaur Provincial Park, Alberta, Canada, during the early 1920s. The well-preserved fossils have provided paleontologists with essential information about this dinosaur's anatomy and way of life.

Parksosaurus was a relatively small dinosaur, measuring around 8.2 feet (2.5 meters) in length. As an ornithopod, it was a bipedal dinosaur with a robust build, supporting its weight on two powerful hind limbs. Its front limbs were shorter, but they were likely used for various activities such as browsing for vegetation.

One of the distinguishing features of Parksosaurus was its unique dental arrangement. It had a beak-like structure at the front of its mouth, complemented by closely packed cheek teeth. This dental configuration suggests a specialized diet of plant material, possibly including tough, fibrous vegetation.