Pachycephalosaurus vs. Parasaurolophus

Pachycephalosaurus vs. Parasaurolophus
Based on size comparison, a Parasaurolophus had a huge advantage in battle. It was bigger and stronger than a Pachycephalosaurus. It also had the advantage of speed. But the Pachycephalosaurus had a hard head that could be used to win sometimes.

Battle Facts about Pachycephalosaurus vs. Parasaurolophus

Pachycephalosaurus vs. Parasaurolophus
Pachycephalosaurus vs. Parasaurolophus
NamePachycephalosaurus (Pachycephalosaurus wyomingensis)Parasaurolophus (Parasaurolophus walkeri)
Size14-15 feet long, 5-6 feet tall26-37 feet long, 8-9 feet tall on all fours, 16 feet tall on two legs
Speed20 mph30 mph
OffenseSpeed and strong legsCould stretch to heights of 16 feet on two legs
DefenseHard, domed skull used as a battering ramCould run 30 mph
Endurance and BehaviorHerd grazer that stayed in groups for safetyStayed in mixed groups of herbivores for safety

Pachycephalosaurus and Parasaurolophus were bipedal herbivores from the Late Cretaceous period. These giant dinos from North America had great adaptations to protect themselves from predators.

But when fighting each other, the bigger Parasaurolophus had a huge advantage.

Did the Pachycephalosaurus and the Parasaurolophus Live Together?

Since fossils of both Pachycephalosaurus and Parasaurolophus were found in the Late Cretaceous period formations of North America, it’s possible they lived together. Paleontologists’ estimations of Parasaurolophus’s period vary from 83-66 mya (million years ago) to just 76-73 mya. For comparison, the Pachycephalosaurus lived 72-66 mya.

Most paleontologists believe that Pachycephalosaurus and Parasaurolophus lived together during their shared time between 72 and 66 mya. Like most herbivores, they probably lived in mixed herds for safety. Other dinos that lived from Alberta, Canada, to the northwestern United States during the Late Cretaceous period include:

What Were the Major Threats to Pachycephalosaurus and Parasaurolophus?

Pachycephalosaurus
Pachycephalosaurus

The T-rex and other large carnivores were among the biggest threats to Pachycephalosaurus and Parasaurolophus. Natural disasters and climate change were also a danger for these large herbivores. They both needed to eat a lot of plants to survive, so any threat to plant life put their herds in danger of starvation.

In the end, the great extinction event from 66 mya killed off the dinos. The asteroid impact sent dust and debris into the air, causing plants to die out and herbivores to starve. Once the herbivores were gone, the carnivores quickly ran out of food options.

Which was the Stronger Pachycephalosaurus or the Parasaurolophus?

The Parasaurolophus was a lot stronger than the Pachycephalosaurus due to its size. The Parasaurolophus was about the size of Allosaurus, Baryonyx, and Carnotaurus dinos. The Pachycephalosaurus was about the size of the much smaller Ceratosaurus.

The Pachycephalosaurus did have one strength that the Parasaurolophus did not. It had a hard domed skull. This skull could be used to defend Pachy from predators and other herbivores.

Who Would Win the Battle between Pachycephalosaurus vs Parasaurolophus?

Parasaurolophus
Parasaurolophus

The Parasaurolophus was the most likely winner of a battle between these two herbivores. Because it was so big and so heavy, it had a lot of strength. Parasaurolophus’s size and strength are part of the reason smaller herbivores joined herds with them in the first place.

The Pachycephalosaurus could fight back by ramming Para with its domed head. But that defense would only win the battle if Pachy got lucky. Para was too stable on its legs, and Pachy’s battering ram was better for the wobbly T-rex.

In this battle, Pachycephalosaurus’s best defense is to avoid fighting with Parasaurolophus in the first place. There isn’t any fossil evidence that the two fought, so the Pachycephalosaurus chose its battles wisely. And massive predators like T-rex, Pachy, and Para were busy protecting their herds!

Vianna Arenas

Vianna Arenas is an enthusiastic seeker of knowledge, nature lover, and history buff. When she's not writing about dinosaurs, you can find her camping and hiking with her family.

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