The newly discovered dinosaurs lived in present-day Utah, US, about 75 million years ago, in the Late Cretaceous period

Sep 20, 2014 20:59 GMT  ·  By

A recent paper in the Journal of Systematic Paleontology announces the discovery of a previously undocumented dinosaur species. These ancient beasts inhabited present-day Utah, US, in the Late Cretaceous period.

Unlike most of the dinosaurs paleontologists have until now introduced us to, these guys weren't exactly scary-looking. On the contrary, they looked rather hilarious, what with the seriously oversized nose glued to their face.

Meet Rhinorex, otherwise known as King Nose

In their paper in the Journal of Systematic Paleontology, the researchers who documented this previously unknown species explain that, having analyzed fossil remains unearthed back in the 1990s, they found that these creatures had a freakishly big nose.

Thus, as noticeable in the image accompanying this article, their nose accounted for about half their face. Hence, the North Carolina State University and Brigham Young University specialists behind this research project decided to name the species Rhinorex condrupus, which translates as King Nose.

Interestingly enough, paleontologists don't yet know what purposes their freakishly big nose served. “The purpose of such a big nose is still a mystery.  If this dinosaur is anything like its relatives then it likely did not have a super sense of smell,” researcher Terry Gates said.

“Maybe the nose was used as a means of attracting mates, recognizing members of its species, or even as a large attachment for a plant-smashing beak. We are already sniffing out answers to these questions,” the specialist added.

Evidence at hand indicates that these creatures, which populated the Earth about 75 million years ago, were plant-eaters. Their natural habitat, which was also their canteen, was a swamp-like natural ecosystem located at a distance of about 50 miles (80.5 kilometers) from the coastline.

It is estimated that, as adults, these dinosaurs measured about 30 feet (a little over 9 meters) in length and tipped the scale at about 8,500 pounds (roughly 3,855 kilograms). Despite their impressive size, they had to always keep an eye open for predatory creatures that they shared their habitat with.

King Nose looked nothing like its relatives

This newly discovered dinosaur species is said to belong to a group known as hadrosaurs. This group includes species such as Parasaurolophus and Edmontosaurus. Still, paleontologists say that Rhinorex condrupus looked nothing like its relatives.

Thus, it lacked the hard crest that is characteristic of hadrosaurs, and instead had a fleshy one. What's more, it did not sport a crest on the top of its head. Then again, its nose more than made up for the missing head piece.

Paleontologists expect that, by further studying this newly discovered species, they will gain a better understanding of what present-day Utah, US, looked like millions of years ago. As Terry Gates put it, “This discovery gives us a geographic snapshot of the Cretaceous, and helps us place contemporary species in their correct time and place.”