About
Brachylophosaurus was a medium-to-large dinosaur that inhabited the coastal plains and river deltas of Late Cretaceous North America approximately 78 to 74 million years ago. Distinguished by its unique flat, paddle-shaped nasal that extended backward over the skull like a bony shield, this herbivore stood apart from its hollow-crested relatives like Parasaurolophus and Corythosaurus. The crest may have served for species recognition or rather than vocalization.
Reaching lengths of up to 11 meters, Brachylophosaurus possessed a robust body supported by powerful hind limbs, though it likely spent considerable time walking on all fours while foraging. Its complex dental batteries contained hundreds of tightly packed teeth ideal for processing tough vegetation, including conifers, ferns, and flowering plants that dominated its environment.
Brachylophosaurus has achieved scientific celebrity through remarkably preserved specimens. "Leonardo," discovered in 2000, represents one of the most complete dinosaur mummies ever found, preserving fossilized skin, stomach contents, and even muscle tissue. Another specimen, "Elvis," provided insights into . These exceptional fossils have revealed details about dinosaur biology impossible to determine from bones alone, including evidence of skin texture, diet, and parasitic infections. The Two Medicine and Judith River formations of Montana and Alberta have yielded numerous specimens, cementing Brachylophosaurus as a keystone species for understanding Late Cretaceous ecosystems.
Explore the anatomy
5 featuresInstead of the tall, hollow crests seen on relatives like Parasaurolophus, this dinosaur sported a low, solid paddle of bone that swept backward over its skull. Since it wasn't hollow, it couldn't make booming sounds — it was probably more like a flashy name tag, helping these hadrosaurs recognize their own kind.
A young specimen nicknamed 'Leonardo,' found in Montana in 2000, still had patches of actual skin preserved as fossils — a super rare find! The skin shows pebbly, non-overlapping scales across the neck and sides, and scientists even spotted signs of ancient skin parasites, like prehistoric ticks or mites.
The back of the jaws held a 'dental battery' — hundreds of teeth packed tightly together in stacked columns, forming a tough grinding surface for chomping rough plants. CT scans show up to five replacement teeth waiting beneath each working tooth, like a never-ending conveyor belt of fresh chompers!
Though it could stand up on two legs, those sturdy front limbs with broad, padded hands suggest it usually walked on all fours while munching plants. The rounded, hoof-like hands helped spread its weight on soft, muddy ground — and fossilized footprints from the area back this up.
Scientists found fossilized food still inside Leonardo's stomach area — conifer needles, fern fronds, seeds, and bits of flowering plants. This is incredibly rare direct proof of what a dinosaur actually ate! It shows this hadrosaur was a picky browser, choosing from a variety of plants rather than just munching everything in sight.
Where fossils were found
Two Medicine Formation
+1 more formation
Montana, Alberta · United States, Canada
78–74 million years ago(4m year span)
Keep exploring the vault
Gorgosaurus
Gorgosaurus libratus
Gorgosaurus libratus was the apex predator in the Judith River Formation ecosystem where Brachylophosaurus lived.
Maiasaura
Maiasaura peeblesorum
Maiasaura peeblesorum and Brachylophosaurus were nearly identical in size (both ~9m, 3000kg) and shared the Two Medicine Formation.
Shantung Lizard
Shantungosaurus giganteus
Both Brachylophosaurus and Shantungosaurus represent hadrosaurine (non-crested) hadrosaurs that evolved flattened skull profiles, relying on size and herding rather than elaborate crests for survival.
Edmontosaurus
Edmontosaurus regalis
Same family: Hadrosauridae
Lambeosaurus
Lambeosaurus lambei
Same family: Hadrosauridae
Parasaurolophus
Same family: Hadrosauridae