Recently, the image of the Edmontosaurus was updated, and the changes are fascinating.
Dr. Paul Sereno and his team examined newly discovered mummies of the Edmontosaurus using advanced imaging techniques, like CT scans and X-rays. “We created a detailed model of the skin and wrapped it around the skeleton. Some of these technologies weren’t even around a decade ago,” says Sereno. The new image reveals adjustments to its crest, spikes, and skin texture. Surprisingly, it shows that the dinosaur had hooves.
Both historical depictions by artists Knight and Horner had elements of truth. Knight’s version showed a fleshy crest running from the head down the back, while Horner indicated that this crest transformed into a row of spikes. Now we know that this crest indeed changed into spikes resembling those of modern chameleons, with each spike aligning with the vertebrae beneath.
One striking detail was the size of the Edmontosaurus scales, which were only 1 to 4 millimeters wide. They did grow slightly larger toward the tail but never exceeded 1 centimeter. “You can find scales like this on lizards, yet we’re dealing with a creature the size of an elephant,” Sereno points out. This means the skin was not only covered in tiny scales but was also very thin, as indicated by the wrinkles discovered in the imaging.
Then there are the hooves. “In a hoof, the nail wraps around the toe, forming a wedge-shape underneath,” Sereno explains. The fore legs had single, central hooves with a triangular, rubbery structure called a “frog” on the bottom. “These hooves looked very similar to equine hooves, showing that dinosaurs also had them,” Sereno notes. In contrast, the hind legs, which bore most of the dinosaur’s weight, had three wedge-shaped hooves wrapped around three digits with a fleshy heel at the back, akin to structures found in modern rhinos.
This new understanding of the Edmontosaurus highlights the importance of modern science in paleontology. Recent studies reveal that techniques like these could reshape our views of other ancient species, leading to even more fascinating discoveries. As technology evolves, we can expect to learn more about how these creatures lived and adapted millions of years ago.
