WHAT'S IN A NAME?
Corythosaurus means "helmet lizard". This strange head was common in many dinosaurs, and had a variety of functions.
SMILE!
Corythosaurus had a beak on the front of its mouth and hundreds of tiny teeth at the back. These were used to up chew pine cones which were its favourite food.
NUTS AND BOLTS
The study of fossils show that this crested head was in fact hollow and had air vents running through it.
With these fossils being found near water, scientists believe that aside from it being rich in vegetation, the riverside would provide a place to escape to from predators. When in the water, it is though that Corythosaurus would use its crested head as a snorkel breathing through it until the danger had passed.
OUT AND ABOUT
Corythosaurus was a social animal living in large herds. In order to distinguish one from another within these groups, it is thought that its crested head was highly coloured to aid recognition.
