'''Parasaurolophus''' was a large herbivorous dinosaur similar to''''' ''Corythosaurus''', it was a hadrosaur. It lived in the Late Cretaceous, about 75-65 mya. Commonly referred to as a "duck-billed" dinosaur, Parasaurolophus had hundreds of tiny teeth packed into its jaw, and these, along with the "duck-bill", helped it strip and chew the tough Cretaceous vegetation. Its most extraordinary feature, however, was its "trombone horn". This was an extended nasal passage that extended up and behind its head in a sort of horn. When air was passed through, it vibrated and produced a sound much like a honk or a trombone. This was used to warn other Parasaurolophus of danger, perhaps an approaching '''[[T-Rex]]''' or another predator.
Parasaurolophus was one of the preferred meals of T-Rex, due to its lack of spikes, claws or armour and its obvious inablilty to defend itself. Its only defence was to listen for a "honking" warning from others of its kind, then run and hope it got away.
The horn
The trombone-like horn would have made a resonating chamber. Sounds would have been made by a vocal organ or voice box and "pushed" through the crest, making a deep honking call. In this way, the animal could have communicated. All Parasaurolophus would have used their "voices" to announce themselves, to warn their hatchlings, and to challenge other animals that invaded their territory. The honking noise was often a warning to run, as it quite often heralded the approach of a hungry T-Rex.
Study of the resonating factor of the horn has suggested and led to the theory that Parasaurolophus may have actually been able to produce a kinetic soundwave that might have been used to disorient or even knock enemies off their feet.
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