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Edmontosaurus

Edmontosaurus is a genus of large, duck-billed, herbivorous dinosaurs that lived in western North America during the Late Cretaceous.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 26, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

Edmontosaurus is a genus of large, duck-billed, herbivorous dinosaurs that lived in western North America during the Late Cretaceous. Fossils have been found in Canada and the United States, and the genus is known for its toothless beak and hundreds of grinding cheek teeth. It is considered one of the largest hadrosaurids.

Description

Edmontosaurus was a crestless hadrosaurid dinosaur with a broad, duck-like snout and a toothless beak. It had rows of grinding teeth suited for processing tough vegetation.

Classification

The genus belongs to Hadrosauridae, a group of ornithopod dinosaurs commonly called duck-billed dinosaurs. It is one of the best-known large hadrosaurids from North America.

Fossil record

Fossils have been found in rocks of western North America, including Alberta, Canada, and several U.S. states. The genus is known from multiple specimens, including exceptionally preserved remains.

Palaeobiology

Edmontosaurus was a plant-eater that likely fed on low-lying vegetation and tougher plant material. Its dental battery made it well adapted for shredding and grinding food.

Key facts

  • Edmontosaurus was a large ornithopod dinosaur in the hadrosaur family.
  • It lived during the Late Cretaceous, roughly 76–66 million years ago.
  • Fossils are known from Canada and the western United States.
  • Its mouth had a horny beak and many cheek teeth adapted for grinding plant material.
  • The genus currently includes two recognized species: E. regalis and E. annectens.
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Canadian context

The genus is named for Edmonton, Alberta, and important fossils have been found in Canada, making it a notable dinosaur in Canadian palaeontology.

Frequently asked questions

What kind of dinosaur was Edmontosaurus?
Edmontosaurus was a large hadrosaurid, or duck-billed dinosaur, in the ornithopod group.
What did Edmontosaurus eat?
It was an herbivore that likely fed on plants such as conifers, cycads, ginkgos, and other low-growing vegetation.
Where did Edmontosaurus live?
It lived in western North America, with fossils found in Canada and the United States.
When did Edmontosaurus live?
It lived during the Late Cretaceous, approximately 76–66 million years ago.
How many species of Edmontosaurus are recognized?
Two species are generally recognized: Edmontosaurus regalis and Edmontosaurus annectens.

References

  1. Natural History Museum — https://www.nhm.ac.uk/discover/dino-directory/edmontosaurus.html
    Supports: Late Cretaceous age, herbivorous diet, large ornithopod status, Canadian fossil record, name meaning and feeding adaptations.
  2. Enchanted Learning — https://www.enchantedlearning.com/subjects/dinosaurs/facts/Edmontosaurus/
    Supports: Diet, geographic range in western North America, and general fossil information.
  3. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Edmontosaurus
    Supports: Two recognized species, age ranges for E. regalis and E. annectens, and distribution in western North America.