Elgitheriops

Elgitheriops is a genus of herbivorous dinosaurs that lived during the Late Cretaceous period, approximately 75 million years ago. The genus is known from a single species, Elgitheriops grandis, which was discovered in the Hell Creek Formation of North Dakota, USA. Elgitheriops is notable for its unique combination of features, including a long, low skull with a distinctive crest, and a robust, stocky body with short limbs.

The skull of Elgitheriops is characterized by a long, low profile with a prominent crest that runs along the top of the skull. This crest is thought to have been used for display purposes, possibly to attract mates or defend territory. The teeth of Elgitheriops are small and conical, adapted for grinding plant material.

The body of Elgitheriops is robust and stocky, with short limbs that were adapted for a slow, steady gait. The dinosaur is estimated to have been around 6 meters (20 feet) in length and weighed approximately 1.5 metric tons (1.65 short tons). Elgitheriops is classified as a hadrosaurid, a group of duck-billed dinosaurs that were common during the Late Cretaceous.

Elgitheriops is an important addition to our understanding of hadrosaurid evolution, as it represents a unique lineage that is distinct from other known hadrosaurids. The discovery of Elgitheriops has provided valuable insights into the diversity and adaptations of Late Cretaceous herbivorous dinosaurs.