Scientists have made a groundbreaking discovery in the field of paleontology, shedding new light on the mysterious creatures that once roamed the earth. For the first time ever, researchers have successfully reconstructed the profiles of two massive duck-billed dinosaurs, including their pebbled skin and unexpected hooves.
The pair of Edmontosaurus annectens specimens were preserved due to a rare and delicate process called clay templating, which occurred soon after the dinosaurs' death. This process allowed for the preservation of details such as skin texture, spikes, scales, and even hooves. The scientists used multiple imaging techniques, including micro-CT scans and X-ray spectroscopy, to analyze how this process might occur.
The researchers were able to identify a continuous midline anatomical detail on E. annectens that started as a crest along its neck and trunk, before transforming into a single row of spikes over its hips and down its tail. The dinosaur's lower body and tail skin displayed larger polygonal scales, although most of them were the size of small pebbles.
Perhaps most surprisingly, each included three toes covered in a wedge-shaped, flat-bottomed hoof similar to a horse. This discovery has provided new insights into the posture and movement patterns of E. annectens, which is one of the largest and most common dinosaurs in present-day North America during the Late Cretaceous period.
The study's authors hope that other researchers can now apply the methods described in their study on other dinosaur mummies. The discovery of these two massive duck-billed dinosaurs has provided a unique glimpse into the lives of these creatures, shedding new light on their anatomy and behavior.
The pair of Edmontosaurus annectens specimens were preserved due to a rare and delicate process called clay templating, which occurred soon after the dinosaurs' death. This process allowed for the preservation of details such as skin texture, spikes, scales, and even hooves. The scientists used multiple imaging techniques, including micro-CT scans and X-ray spectroscopy, to analyze how this process might occur.
The researchers were able to identify a continuous midline anatomical detail on E. annectens that started as a crest along its neck and trunk, before transforming into a single row of spikes over its hips and down its tail. The dinosaur's lower body and tail skin displayed larger polygonal scales, although most of them were the size of small pebbles.
Perhaps most surprisingly, each included three toes covered in a wedge-shaped, flat-bottomed hoof similar to a horse. This discovery has provided new insights into the posture and movement patterns of E. annectens, which is one of the largest and most common dinosaurs in present-day North America during the Late Cretaceous period.
The study's authors hope that other researchers can now apply the methods described in their study on other dinosaur mummies. The discovery of these two massive duck-billed dinosaurs has provided a unique glimpse into the lives of these creatures, shedding new light on their anatomy and behavior.
It's like they're saying "Hey, we're not just giant reptiles, we're also horse-like creatures!" I'm so excited to learn more about E. annectens and how it moved around with those crazy hooves! 
It's all about priorities, right? I mean, do we value our cultural heritage over actual scientific progress? 
And let's not forget, who gets to decide which dinosaur fossils get prioritized for study? 
I'm so excited for this groundbreaking discovery! It's amazing how scientists are able to bring back ancient creatures to life with such precision. The idea that they were able to recreate the profiles of Edmontosaurus annectens with its pebbled skin and hooves is just mind-blowing. 
I can only imagine how cool it must have been to see these creatures roaming the earth during the Late Cretaceous period. It's a reminder that there's still so much we don't know about our planet's history, but with discoveries like this, we're one step closer to understanding what made life on earth so fascinating 
. and can u believe they got to see the spikes & scales on their skin? 
i mean we already know edmontosaurus are big but now we know they had 3 toes with flat-bottomed hooves 
like horses?! mind blown. i need to see this study ASAP on youtube or something 
.