Maiasaura

“Maiasaura dinosaurs can grow to 31 feet long”

Maiasaura Description and Size

The Maiasaura was one of many dinosaurs described as duck-billed. It had a thick, flat nose or beak similar to a duck’s bill, but much bigger! The Maiasaura was estimated at 31 feet long and weighed 2.8 tons. It was thought to be eight feet in height. This dinosaur was capable of standing on its hind legs, so it would’ve been much taller than eight feet if it stood up!

Paleontologists know the Maiasaura was an herbivore because of the design of its teeth. It had over 900 short, sturdy teeth made to chew and crush up plants. Their teeth were located in the cheek area of their mouth. Like many other types of dinosaurs, the Maiasaura lost a lot of teeth throughout its lifetime. But, when a tooth would fall out, another would grow in to replace it. When you think about it, every tooth lost by a dinosaur gives us more information about them and how they lived.

The Maiasaura’s hind legs were longer than its forelegs. So, dinosaur scientists believe it could move on its two hind legs as well as on all fours. By closely studying the bones in the feet of this dinosaur, paleontologists concluded that juvenile Maiasaura moved around on their hind legs and switched to traveling on all fours as adults.

Adults likely stood on their hind legs to pull at vegetation located in the treetops. In addition, paleontologists estimate this dinosaur could run at a speed of 25mph on its hind legs.

The strong, thick tail of the Maiasaura was probably helpful in providing balance as it moved. Plus, it may have been used as a weapon when the Maiasaura was attacked by predators.

The Maiasaura is included in the Hadrosaur group. These were the duck-billed dinosaurs. Its scientific name is Maiasaura peeblesorum. The Greek word Maia means good mother and saura means lizard. The first discovery of this dinosaur’s remains included Maiasaura adults as well as eggs and juveniles. This led paleontologists to conclude that this dinosaur spent time caring for and protecting its young.

Diet – What Did Maiasaura Eat?

This dinosaur was herbivorous like other members of the duck-billed group. So, what did a Maiasaura eat? It ate ferns, pine needles, leaves, and other vegetation.

Habitat – When and Where It Lived

These dinosaurs date back 76.7 million years ago to the Late Cretaceous Period. They lived in North America in Canada and the United States. Specifically, its bones and fossils have been found throughout the state of Montana as well as in Alberta, Canada.

Threats and Predators to the Maiasaura

A dinosaur called the Troodon was one predator of the Maiasaura. Now, if you put a drawing of a Troodon and a Maiasaura side by side, you may wonder how a Troodon could’ve been a threat to a Maiasaura. After all, Troodon dinosaurs were usually 11 feet tall and weighed 110 pounds. However, Troodons were very intelligent, fast, and sly dinosaurs. Paleontologists think that Troodons preyed on old, weak, or very young Maiasaura dinosaurs. A Troodon dinosaur would likely have been very hesitant to attack a healthy adult Maiasaura!

The Tyrannosaurus rex was also a predator of the Maiasaura. The Maiasaura had few defenses against these huge, strong carnivores.

Paleontologists believe the best defense of the Maiasaura was its speed. Also, it’s believed these dinosaurs lived and traveled in herds. So, herd behavior provided some protection against its predators.

Discoveries and Fossils-Where Was It Found

Maiasaura bones were first discovered in 1978 in the Two Medicine Formation located in Choteau, Montana. Paleontologist Jack Horner found the remains of fourteen nests of juvenile Maiasaura dinosaurs complete with broken eggshells. In addition, there were adult Maiasaura dinosaurs found nearby. This led dinosaur scientists to believe the Maiasaura cared for its young. The site of this discovery is named Egg Mountain.

In the northern portion of the state of Montana, dozens of Maiasaura bones have been extracted from ash beds. These bones belonged to Maiasaura dinosaurs of all ages. This discovery is even more evidence that these dinosaurs lived in groups.

Extinction – When Did It Die Out?

Paleontologists aren’t agreed on how the Maiasaura died out. But there are many who think these dinosaurs went extinct because of an asteroid that hit the earth near the end of the Cretaceous Period. The asteroid was thought to be six miles wide. When it landed, it sent up a huge cloud of dust that went into the earth’s atmosphere. This dust blocked the sunlight causing plant life to gradually die off. When the Maiasaura lost its food source, it died off as well.

Similar Animals to the Maiasaura

Dinosaurs similar to the Maiasaura:

• Brachylophosaurus – A Brachylophosaurus is a Hadrosaur or duck-billed dinosaur, like the Maiasaura. But the Brachylophosaurus was a lot bigger at up to 36 feet long weighing 7.7 tons.
• Edmontosaurus – This is another duck-billed dinosaur with a flat, beak-like snout. It’s an herbivore like the Maiasaura, but they are larger at 39 feet long with a weight of 4.4 tons. As a note, the remains of the Edmontosaurus were first discovered in the city of Edmonton in Alberta, Canada. That’s how this dinosaur got its name.
• Shantungosaurus – The Shantungosaurus had a duckbill and its hind legs were longer than its forelegs just like the Maiasaurus. A big difference between this dinosaur and the Maiasaurus is that the Shantungosaurus lived in China.