Triceratops

Triceratops was a large quadrupedal Ceratopsid herbivorous dinosaur last part of the Cretaceous Period. It was one of the last dinosaurs to appear before the Cretaceous-Tertiary extinction event.

Fast Facts

1. Name Means: "Three Horn Face"
2. Naming Credit: Othniel Charles Marsh (1889)
3. Range: Western North America
4. Classification:
   1. Order: Ornithischia
   2. Infraorder: Ceratopsia
   3. Family: Ceratopsidae
   4. Genus: Triceratops
   5. Type Species: Triceratops horridus
5. Period: Late Jurassic
6. Length: 30 feet
7. Height: 10 feet
8. Weight: 10 tons

Recognizable and Iconic

The Triceratops' superficial similarities to the modern-era Rhinoceros in both appearance, habitat, and presumed behavior has contributed to the animal's great popularity in culture. Because its dense, heavy skull is conducive to preservation and fossilization, hundreds of examples have been uncovered and it appears to have been the number one grazing herbivore of its era -- popular then as now.

Weapons or Bony Bling Bling?

Because the Triceratops likely co-existed with top predator Tyrannosaurus rex, it is assumed the two animals often met in combat. This possibility is made more compelling due to Triceratops' formidable bony head frill and three long horns.

It is possible that the frill was more useful for sexual display than protecting the animal's neck. Similarly, the horns may have been used for sparring with competition for prospective mates. Since both male and female Triceratops possessed horns and there is little sexual dimorphism evident, this is only conjecture.

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