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New Dinosaur Species Discovery In Utah Released

Posted by ScuttleMonkey on from the massive-masticator dept.

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."

7 of 108 comments (clear)

  1. 800 teeth by Iphtashu+Fitz · · Score: 4, Funny

    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.

  2. released! by rucs_hack · · Score: 4, Funny

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

    1. Re:released! by Orange+Crush · · Score: 4, Funny

      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.

  3. More study needed by GogglesPisano · · Score: 4, Funny

    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?

  4. Yes, I am a pedant. by Webs+101 · · Score: 5, Informative
    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.

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  5. obTBL by Rob+T+Firefly · · Score: 4, Funny

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

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  6. huh? by thatskinnyguy · · Score: 4, Funny

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

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