California’s Official State Dinosaur is Vegan

Governor Jerry Brown made Augustynolophus—an avid plant-eater—the state’s official dino-ambassador after 66 million years.


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Last month, Governor Jerry Brown signed a bill to name the Augustynolophus California’s official state dinosaur. The hadrosaur—a dinosaur that eats a plant-based diet and has a duck-like mouth—was unearthed in Fresno between 1939 and 1940, and the remains of the species were found only in California. Augustynolophus lived between 66 million and 100 million years ago alongside famed carnivore Tyrannosaurus. Media outlet Travel + Leisure opined that the dinosaur’s diet “is undoubtedly the inspiration for Cali[fornia]’s trendiest vegans.” This year, Governor Brown could not choose his favorite nut and named the almond, pecan, walnut, and pistachio the official state nuts of California.

Photo courtesy of Natural History Museum of Los Angeles