Tsintaosaurus

Tsintaosaurus

sin-TAO-sor-us 🔊 Say it name means “Tsintao lizard”

The dinosaur unicorn with a hollow horn that may have made it louder — or more colorful.

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Conspicuous Crests

Several dinosaurs other than Tsintaosaurus had unusual crests or horns on their heads. Scientists have developed multiple theories about the use of these devices. Probably the most common theories are that the crests served to amplify sounds; another is that the crests were simply an attention-getting device to attract mates.

Can you hear me?Lambeosaurus was one of the largest helmeted hadrosaurs, about forty-nine feet long! Like Tsintaosaurus, it had a strange crest atop its head. The forward-pointing part of the crest enclosed hollow tubes which passed down to the dinosaur's nostrils, and presumably served to make its voice louder.

Hadrosaur Eating Habits

One fossil specimen of a hadrosaur had pine needles and twigs preserved in its stomach area, so it is presumed that these woody plants were at least part of a hadrosaur's diet. Tsintaosaurus may also have browsed on magnolias and other flowering plants.

SurvivorsAlthough dinosaurs are extinct, some prehistoric plants–ferns, pine trees, magnolias, and horsetails–have survived the centuries.

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Source: Microsoft Dinosaurs (1993) CD-ROM. Text liberated from original screen art; images & audio restored from disc. Original media is Microsoft/supplier copyright — non-commercial educational preservation. Credits & Acknowledgements →