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Name: Triceratops
Pronunciation: try-SAIR-o-tops Translation: Three Horn Face Diet: Herbivore Height: 8 feet (2.4 meters) Length: 28 feet (8.5 meters) Weight: 7 Tons (6,400 kilos) Location: Western U.S., Southwest Canada Time: Late Cretaceous Period (65 MYA) |
Triceratops was one of the largest members of the Ceratopsian family. These dinosaurs, with their strong beaks and large back teeth, were well adapted to chewing the tough plants of the Late Cretaceous era. Fossil evidence of bone beds (large deposits of bones from the same species in a single area) suggest Triceratops was likely a herding animal, spending its days feeding with a group.
Triceratops had one of the largest skulls of any land animal. An adult’s skull could reach up to 6 feet (2 m) long and had a large plate of bone, called a frill, extending from the back of the skull. The three horns that give Triceratops its name were thought to have been used to fight off predators. Some scientists also believe that the bone frill was another method of defense, and that Triceratops would use it to protect its more vulnerable neck. However, other scientists say that the bone frill wasn't suited for battle, and was instead utilized to intimidate rivals, or to attract mates.
Despite the impressive armory, Triceratops sometimes found itself on the menu of the fearsome Tyrannosaurus Rex. However, Triceratops was not an easy meal, as shown by some Triceratops fossils which contain healed bite marks from T. Rex. The fact that the bites healed means that Triceratops was able to stand its ground and defeat one of the most powerful predators ever to walk the Earth.
Triceratops had one of the largest skulls of any land animal. An adult’s skull could reach up to 6 feet (2 m) long and had a large plate of bone, called a frill, extending from the back of the skull. The three horns that give Triceratops its name were thought to have been used to fight off predators. Some scientists also believe that the bone frill was another method of defense, and that Triceratops would use it to protect its more vulnerable neck. However, other scientists say that the bone frill wasn't suited for battle, and was instead utilized to intimidate rivals, or to attract mates.
Despite the impressive armory, Triceratops sometimes found itself on the menu of the fearsome Tyrannosaurus Rex. However, Triceratops was not an easy meal, as shown by some Triceratops fossils which contain healed bite marks from T. Rex. The fact that the bites healed means that Triceratops was able to stand its ground and defeat one of the most powerful predators ever to walk the Earth.