New Dinosaur Species Discovery In Utah Released

A new species of dinosaur discovered in Utah's Grand Staircase was only recently released to the public. Dubbed Gryposaurus Monumentensis (derived from a combination of "hook-beaked lizard" and a tip of the hat to the discovery location) scientists estimate this duck-billed dino could have had as many as 800 teeth in his massive mouth. "While the diet is unknown, given the considerable size of the creature, the massive teeth and jaws are thought to have been used to slice up large amounts of tough, fibrous plant material. The teeth may hold important clues the dinosaur's eating habits. The Utah museum plans to study the composition of the dinosaur teeth, which when compared to other plant-eating dinosaurs from the Kaiparowits Formation, will help researchers decipher differences in diet."

Comments

800 teeth

[Iphtashu Fitz]

and the diet is unknown? I think it's safe to say that this thing ate whatever the hell it damn well wanted to eat.

Re:800 teeth

[thewiz]

Can you imagine how much time it took for it to brush and floss?

released!

[rucs_hack]

OMG they released a Dinosour in Utah! Run for the hills!

Re:released!

[Orange Crush]

OMG they released a Dinosour in Utah! Run for the hills!

Fortunately, there are plenty of hills (and mountains) in Utah to run for. Our wives will be safe.

Re:pfff.

[apdyck]

This contradicts The Book of Moron, therefore it must be false. If you're making a reference to the Book of Mormon, I feel that I must contradict you. There is nothing in the book of Mormon that indicates, one way or the other, the existence of dinosaurs. In addition, the book of mormon starts (chronologically speaking) around 600 BC, which is well after the time of dinosaurs. Check your facts before you post, anonymous coward!

More study needed

[GogglesPisano]

While certainly a fascinating find, bones alone can tell us only so much about these fascinating creatures.

For example: how did Jesus strap His saddle on a Gryposaurus?

Yes, I am a pedant.

[Webs 101]

It had "only" 300 teeth in its mouth. The rest of them were replacement teeth in its jaw, waiting to replace worn out teeth in the mouth, sort of like sharks - in the loosest sense. Hadrosaur teeth melded together to create a single huge chewing surface. Imagine if your molars were pushed together without spaces between them.

Now, this giant tooth masses would unroll from the jaws sort of like a massive roll of ultra-thick paper towels. Teeth would wear out at the chewing face and be continually replaced by teeth in the "roll" behind them.

And, when you use genus-species binomial nomenclature, the genus is capitalized but the species is not: it's spelled Gryposaurus monumentensis, which TFA got right.

obTBL

[Rob T Firefly]

Also, Dude, "hook-beaked lizard" is not the preferred nomenclature. "Saurian American," please.

huh?

[thatskinnyguy]

Did anyone else parse that as "Gripeosaurus"? I thought they were talking about my ex there for a second.

High time science stops digging up these fossils

[140Mandak262Jamuna]

Every time the scientists dig up a fossil, they add two more "missing links" to the Creationists databases.

Could not find any mention of height/weight

[140Mandak262Jamuna]

I scanned the article, but the usual estimate height/weight of the dinosaur is missing. Would some one please dig up the info and post it. (Height in number of school buses or stories high, and weight in number of baby elephants or the good old standby libraries of congress).

Re:pfff.

[Anonymous Coward]

Give it a rest already. I know everyone on slashdot hates religion, but this story's only connection to Mormonism is Utah.

Seems like everyone on slashdot is quick to preach tolerance and respect for anyone...except the religious. Seems sort of hypocritical. Slashdot is getting more and more like Digg every time I visit.

Re:pfff.

[liquidf]

no, it's raptor jesus. he went extinct for your sins.