Uncovering the Extraordinary Capabilities of the Overlooked Lizard, Thescelosaurus Neglectus
In a time where chaos reigned supreme and survival depended on access to abundant food and minimal threats, imagine thriving alongside fearsome predators like the Tyrannosaurus rex. Enter the “overlooked lizard,” Thescelosaurus neglectus, a 12-foot-long herbivore that roamed North America 66 million years ago, just before the last Cretaceous mass extinction. Initially dismissed as an ordinary herbivore, this dinosaur has recently captured the attention of palaeontologists due to its surprising capabilities.
Despite its seemingly unremarkable exterior, Thescelosaurus neglectus possessed an extraordinary sense of smell that rivaled today’s powerful alligators, known for sniffing out blood from afar. Fossilized remnants of Willo’s brain, a T. neglectus specimen, revealed well-developed olfactory bulbs, surpassing all other known dinosaurs. This heightened sense of smell allowed the seemingly “bland” creatures to locate buried plant foods like roots and tubers. Its impressive sense of balance likely aided in navigating its body position while burrowing underground, suggesting that these dinosaurs may have spent considerable time beneath the surface, supported by their exceptional sense of smell, balance, and robust limbs.
Contrary to the previous notion of Thescelosaurus neglectus as dull, these findings challenge the understanding of this overlooked lizard and its role in the prehistoric ecosystem. The research, conducted by Lindsay Zanno and her colleagues, has been published in Scientific Reports and provides valuable insights into the fascinating capabilities of this ancient species. The study sheds new light on the possibility of dinosaurs coexisting with giants like the T. rex and Triceratops, redefining the perception of Thescelosaurus neglectus as a remarkable creature with extraordinary sensory abilities.
For more information about this groundbreaking study, the full findings can be accessed here.
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