Dinosaurโข “Mummies” โReveal โขEdmontosaurus Had Hooves, Delicateโค Skin – And Resembled Ancient Cows
WYOMING – Newly analyzed fossilized remainsโ of Edmontosaurus, aโ duck-billed dinosaur that roamed North America 66 million years ago, are rewriting our โขunderstanding โof dinosaur skin and locomotion. Remarkably preserved “mummies” โขdiscovered in east-central Wyoming revealโ the herbivore possessed hooves – a trait previouslyโ thought exclusive to mammals – along with delicate, wrinkled skin covered in small scales and a distinctive ridge along its back.
The โขexceptional preservation, thanks to a layer โof fine โขclay, offers an unprecedented glimpse into the life of this commonโ Cretaceous herbivore. “It is indeed the first dinosaur, the first reptile and the first land vertebrate known toโ have developed โฃhooves,” scientists point out, demonstratingโข a phenomenon called convergent evolution where different species independently develop โsimilar traits toโ adapt to โฃsimilar environments.
Edmontosaurus was a large animal, reachingโฃ approximately 12.8 meters (42 feet) in length as an adult – rivalingโ the size of Tyrannosaurus rex.โข The fossils show evidence ofโฃ aโค fleshy ridge running along โขthe neck and back, a row of spines down the tail, and delicate โwrinkles over the ribcage. Researchers also noted the dinosaur’s skin was thinโ enough toโ reveal these details andโข was covered in small scales.
Paleontologist Paul Sereno of โthe University of Chicago,a study author,jokingly remarked,”Sorry,mammals,after all,you weren’t the ones who invented hooves.” He explained the hooves were likely an adaptation for efficient walkingโข and running on hard ground.
The abundance of Edmontosaurus fossils in the fossil record has led researchers to believe they lived in massive herds. Serenoโ describes edmontosaurus โฃas “the cow of that time,” coexisting with predators like Tyrannosaurus and other herbivores such as Triceratops and โข Ankylosaurus. Fossil evidence, including tooth marks on Edmontosaurus remains,โ confirms they โฃwere aโ frequent food source forโ T. rex.
