In a remarkable palaeontological breakthrough, scientists have uncovered two mummified duck-billed dinosaur fossils in the Wyoming badlands, marking the first-ever discovery of hooves in dinosaurs. These exceptionally preserved specimens, identified as Edmontosaurus annectens, offer an unprecedented look into the anatomy and lifestyle of one of the last great herbivores of the Cretaceous period. The find provides vital clues about how these duck-billed dinosaurs walked, lived, and adapted to their prehistoric environment. By revealing intricate details such as skin texture and limb structure, this hooved dinosaur discovery is reshaping what experts know about dinosaur evolution and preservation, offering a rare window into Earth’s distant past.
Rare dinosaur mummies found in Wyoming confirm duck-billed dinosaurs had hooves
The fossils, belonging to the species Edmontosaurus annectens, are estimated to be around 66 million years old. What makes them so special is their level of preservation, described as “mummified” dinosaurs. Although not true mummies (their organic tissues have long turned to stone), these specimens retain fine details of the animals’ skin, spikes, and hooved limbs, giving scientists an unprecedented look at their anatomy.
The study, published in the journal Science, was led by Professor Paul Sereno and his team from the University of Chicago. The two fossils, affectionately nicknamed “Ed Jr.” and “Ed Sr.”, represent a juvenile and an adult Edmontosaurus, providing insight into different stages of growth in this species.
How the dinosaurs became ‘mummified’
The fossilisation process that preserved these creatures was as fascinating as the find itself. Researchers believe that the dinosaurs died during a drought, their bodies drying out under the sun before being buried rapidly by a flash flood. This combination of dehydration and rapid sediment coverage helped protect their outer layers.
According to the study, static electricity interacting with microorganisms in the surrounding clay caused fine particles to cling to the decaying skin, forming a thin clay “template” around the remains. Over millions of years, this clay layer hardened into rock, perfectly capturing the shape and texture of the dinosaurs’ skin and hooves.
First evidence of hooved dinosaurs changes our understanding of prehistoric life
Perhaps the most astonishing revelation from the discovery is that duck-billed dinosaurs had hooves, the first-ever confirmed example of a hooved reptile in the fossil record. These structures would have helped Edmontosaurus navigate muddy landscapes and provided stability on soft ground, similar to how modern hoofed animals such as deer or horses use their hooves today.
“It’s the first time we’ve had a complete, fleshed-out view of a large dinosaur that we can really feel confident about,” said Professor Sereno. “There are so many amazing ‘firsts’ preserved in these duck-billed mummies, including the earliest hooves documented in a land vertebrate.”
Insights into edmontosaurus biology
Using X-rays, micro-CT scans, and other modern imaging techniques, the research team reconstructed the anatomy of both “Ed Jr.” and “Ed Sr.” in remarkable detail. Their analyses revealed a fleshy crest running along the dinosaurs’ neck and back, which transitioned into a row of tail spikes. The lower body was covered in tiny pebble-like scales, giving scientists a realistic idea of what these dinosaurs might have looked like in life.
At full size, an adult Edmontosaurus could grow over 12 metres (40 feet) long. These herbivorous dinosaurs roamed ancient floodplains alongside Tyrannosaurus rex and Triceratops, just before the catastrophic asteroid impact that ended the dinosaur era around 66 million years ago.
Wyoming’s mummified dinosaurs offer landmark insight into prehistoric life
The discovery of these mummified Edmontosaurus fossils is being hailed as a landmark moment in palaeontology. It bridges the gap between what scientists know from skeletal remains and what life might have truly looked like millions of years ago.
The team’s work also builds upon early 20th-century discoveries in the same region. By studying old excavation records, letters, and photographs, researchers were able to pinpoint a specific region in the Wyoming badlands now dubbed the “mummy zone”, a hotspot for exceptionally preserved dinosaur fossils.
Discovery of hoofed dinosaurs offers new insights into prehistoric adaptation
Beyond the excitement of finding the first hoofed dinosaurs, this research provides valuable clues about dinosaur evolution, behaviour, and environment. It suggests that some species may have evolved hoof-like structures to adapt to their habitats, much earlier than scientists previously thought.
Moreover, these fossils demonstrate that under the right conditions, soft tissues and skin can be preserved in incredible detail, offering scientists new ways to study prehistoric life without relying solely on bones.
Also read | Australia’s deep ocean reveals two new species: A glow-in-the-dark shark and a tiny porcelain crab; discovered by CSIRO
Rare dinosaur mummies found in Wyoming confirm duck-billed dinosaurs had hooves
The fossils, belonging to the species Edmontosaurus annectens, are estimated to be around 66 million years old. What makes them so special is their level of preservation, described as “mummified” dinosaurs. Although not true mummies (their organic tissues have long turned to stone), these specimens retain fine details of the animals’ skin, spikes, and hooved limbs, giving scientists an unprecedented look at their anatomy.
The study, published in the journal Science, was led by Professor Paul Sereno and his team from the University of Chicago. The two fossils, affectionately nicknamed “Ed Jr.” and “Ed Sr.”, represent a juvenile and an adult Edmontosaurus, providing insight into different stages of growth in this species.
How the dinosaurs became ‘mummified’
The fossilisation process that preserved these creatures was as fascinating as the find itself. Researchers believe that the dinosaurs died during a drought, their bodies drying out under the sun before being buried rapidly by a flash flood. This combination of dehydration and rapid sediment coverage helped protect their outer layers.
According to the study, static electricity interacting with microorganisms in the surrounding clay caused fine particles to cling to the decaying skin, forming a thin clay “template” around the remains. Over millions of years, this clay layer hardened into rock, perfectly capturing the shape and texture of the dinosaurs’ skin and hooves.
First evidence of hooved dinosaurs changes our understanding of prehistoric life
Perhaps the most astonishing revelation from the discovery is that duck-billed dinosaurs had hooves, the first-ever confirmed example of a hooved reptile in the fossil record. These structures would have helped Edmontosaurus navigate muddy landscapes and provided stability on soft ground, similar to how modern hoofed animals such as deer or horses use their hooves today.
“It’s the first time we’ve had a complete, fleshed-out view of a large dinosaur that we can really feel confident about,” said Professor Sereno. “There are so many amazing ‘firsts’ preserved in these duck-billed mummies, including the earliest hooves documented in a land vertebrate.”
Insights into edmontosaurus biology
Using X-rays, micro-CT scans, and other modern imaging techniques, the research team reconstructed the anatomy of both “Ed Jr.” and “Ed Sr.” in remarkable detail. Their analyses revealed a fleshy crest running along the dinosaurs’ neck and back, which transitioned into a row of tail spikes. The lower body was covered in tiny pebble-like scales, giving scientists a realistic idea of what these dinosaurs might have looked like in life.
At full size, an adult Edmontosaurus could grow over 12 metres (40 feet) long. These herbivorous dinosaurs roamed ancient floodplains alongside Tyrannosaurus rex and Triceratops, just before the catastrophic asteroid impact that ended the dinosaur era around 66 million years ago.
Wyoming’s mummified dinosaurs offer landmark insight into prehistoric life
The discovery of these mummified Edmontosaurus fossils is being hailed as a landmark moment in palaeontology. It bridges the gap between what scientists know from skeletal remains and what life might have truly looked like millions of years ago.
The team’s work also builds upon early 20th-century discoveries in the same region. By studying old excavation records, letters, and photographs, researchers were able to pinpoint a specific region in the Wyoming badlands now dubbed the “mummy zone”, a hotspot for exceptionally preserved dinosaur fossils.
Discovery of hoofed dinosaurs offers new insights into prehistoric adaptation
Beyond the excitement of finding the first hoofed dinosaurs, this research provides valuable clues about dinosaur evolution, behaviour, and environment. It suggests that some species may have evolved hoof-like structures to adapt to their habitats, much earlier than scientists previously thought.
Moreover, these fossils demonstrate that under the right conditions, soft tissues and skin can be preserved in incredible detail, offering scientists new ways to study prehistoric life without relying solely on bones.
Also read | Australia’s deep ocean reveals two new species: A glow-in-the-dark shark and a tiny porcelain crab; discovered by CSIRO
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