Fauna
Species · GBIF taxon 4965937

Corythosaurus casuarius

Corythosaurus casuarius

Also known as Helmet Lizard, Corinthian Lizard

Corythosaurus casuarius browsed the coastal floodplains and swampy lowlands of Late Cretaceous North America, grinding tough conifers, cycads, and angiosperms with hundreds of tightly packed dental battery teeth. Its signature hollow crest, shaped like a rounded helmet or cassowary casque, contained convoluted nasal passages that acted as acoustic resonance chambers for low-frequency social calls. Preserved mummies reveal pebbly, non-overlapping scales across its hide and strong, webbed-looking hand pads adapted for weight-bearing rather than swimming.

PrehistoricHerbivore
Corythosaurus casuarius reference
Licensed reference(c) Jim, the Photographer, some rights reserved (CC BY) · cc-by
—observations
—countries
—peak records
ExtinctConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXExtinctRed List categories, explained →
Key facts
Diet & prey
  • Conifer foliage
  • Flowering plants
  • Seeds and fruits
Predators
  • Gorgosaurus libratus
  • Daspletosaurus torosus
ThreatsPredation by large tyrannosaurids; ultimately late Cretaceous faunal turnover
HabitatsAncient coastal floodplains, river deltas, and subtropical swamp forests
Life spanEstimated 20–30 years
Classification
  1. FamilyLambeosauridae
  2. SpeciesCorythosaurus casuarius
Range & activity
Range data is not available yet.
Safe observation
Interaction riskLow
  1. Low
  2. Moderate
  3. High
  4. Very high
Why interaction risk is low
Extinct prehistoric species known exclusively from fossil remains.
Responsible observation
  • Fossil Viewing: Examine complete articulated skeletons and skin impressions in major natural history museums.
  • Field Etiquette: Leave fossil specimens undisturbed in protected parks such as Dinosaur Provincial Park.
  • Scientific Reporting: Photograph and report visible fossil exposures to local paleontological authorities.
Related species
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