Scientists Discover Dinosaur With Massive Schnoz

Ryan Grenoble
Updated

Scientists are calling it the Jimmy Durante of Dinosaurs.

Not because of its talents as a jazz pianist, but because -- like Durante -- the newly-identified dinosaur Rhinorex condrupus had quite a large nose.

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nose dinosaur
nose dinosaur


The newly-discovered dino, "Rhinorex condrupus," above.

Paleontologists Dr. Terry Gates, a postdoctoral researcher with NC State and the North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences, and Dr. Rodney Scheetz, a researcher at the Brigham Young University's Museum of Paleontology, uncovered the duck-billed dino, a hadrosaur, in storage at BYU.

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Though the dinosaur was originally excavated from Utah’s Neslen formation in the 1990s, Gates and Scheetz were the first to reconstruct the skull fully, at which point they realized they'd found a new species.

"We had almost the entire skull, which was wonderful,” Gates said in a written statement, “but the preparation was very difficult. It took two years to dig the fossil out of the sandstone it was embedded in –- it was like digging a dinosaur skull out of a concrete driveway."

The researchers estimate Rhinorex (which roughly means "King Nose") was around 30 feet long, weighed more than 8,500 pounds, ate plants, and lived in a swampy coastal environment.

As for that nose -- well, its actual function remains a bit of a mystery.

"If this dinosaur is anything like its relatives then it likely did not have a super sense of smell," Gates said in the statement, "but 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."

An article describing the new research was published in the Sept. 17th issue of the Journal of Systematic Paleontology.

Cutest Dinosaur Ever?

A baby megalosauroid Sciurumimus is perched on a rock by the Bavarian Sea in Germany.
A baby megalosauroid Sciurumimus is perched on a rock by the Bavarian Sea in Germany.

Liaoning Scene

"My favorite of my work is probably my 'Liaoning Scene' just for the sheer amount of time, work and detail I put into it," artist Emily Willoughby told The Huffington Post. But she added that the flying microraptor dinos should have been painted glossy black, according to new research.
"My favorite of my work is probably my 'Liaoning Scene' just for the sheer amount of time, work and detail I put into it," artist Emily Willoughby told The Huffington Post. But she added that the flying microraptor dinos should have been painted glossy black, according to new research.

Leaving Tracks

A bird-like dromaeosaur leaves footprints in the ground. The name Dromaeosauridae means "running lizards."
A bird-like dromaeosaur leaves footprints in the ground. The name Dromaeosauridae means "running lizards."

Utah's Predator

The Utahraptor ostrommaysorum is the largest known member of the Dromaeosauridae family.
The Utahraptor ostrommaysorum is the largest known member of the Dromaeosauridae family.

Prey Restraint

Dromaeosaurids were feathered carnivores that lived in the Cretaceous Period.
Dromaeosaurids were feathered carnivores that lived in the Cretaceous Period.

Capturing Prey

The carnivorous Saurornitholestes finds its prey by digging in burrows.
The carnivorous Saurornitholestes finds its prey by digging in burrows.

Not Always Sleeping

Even though this troodontid's name "Mei long" means "sleeping dragon," the duck-sized dino is thought to have sometimes dashed through the forest.
Even though this troodontid's name "Mei long" means "sleeping dragon," the duck-sized dino is thought to have sometimes dashed through the forest.

The Chase

The colors of Anchiornis's feathers are known from fossils--and its name means "near bird."
The colors of Anchiornis's feathers are known from fossils--and its name means "near bird."

Near Bird

Anchiornis are proposed to serve as a link between modern-day birds and non-avian dinosaurs.
Anchiornis are proposed to serve as a link between modern-day birds and non-avian dinosaurs.

Licking The Wound

The Talos sampsoni takes a rest to tend to an injured toe.
The Talos sampsoni takes a rest to tend to an injured toe.

Tree Food

The Epidexipteryx hui searches for grubs to eat.
The Epidexipteryx hui searches for grubs to eat.

Coming In For The Landing

The Archaeopteryx was once widely considered the earliest known bird. Scientists now believe the feathered animal was a dinosaur.
The Archaeopteryx was once widely considered the earliest known bird. Scientists now believe the feathered animal was a dinosaur.

Mother And Young

The bird-like Caudipteryx zoui lived in the early Cretaceous Period.
The bird-like Caudipteryx zoui lived in the early Cretaceous Period.

On The Run

The Sinosauropteryx prima ran through the forests of the early Cretaceous period.
The Sinosauropteryx prima ran through the forests of the early Cretaceous period.

Thirsty

The Sinornithosaurus millenii pauses for a drink.
The Sinornithosaurus millenii pauses for a drink.

This article originally appeared on HuffPost.