Triceratops
Sign in to saveTriceratops ( ; ) is a genus of chasmosaurine ceratopsian dinosaur that lived during the late Maastrichtian age of the Late Cretaceous period, about 68 to 66 million years ago on the island continent of Laramidia, now forming western North America. It was one of the last-known non-avian dinosaurs and lived until the Cretaceous–Paleogene extinction event 66 million years ago. The name Triceratops, which means 'three-horned face', is derived from the Ancient Greek words ('), meaning "three", ('), meaning "horn", and (''''), meaning "face".
AI overview
Triceratops was a three-horned dinosaur that lived in what is now western North America roughly 68 to 66 million years ago, making it one of the last non-avian dinosaurs before they went extinct. It matters because it represents the final chapter of the dinosaur era, living right up until the mass extinction event that wiped out most dinosaur species 66 million years ago.
AI-generated from the Wikipedia summary — may contain errors.
Article
21 sectionsContents
- Discovery and identification
- Species
- Valid species
- Synonyms and doubtful species
- Description
- Size
- Skull
- Postcranial skeleton
- Skin
- Classification
- Paleobiology
- Dentition and diet
- Functions of the horns and frill
- Growth and ontogeny
- ''Torosaurus'' as growth stage of ''Triceratops''
- Other genera as growth stages of ''Triceratops''
- Paleoecology
- Cultural significance
- See also
- References
- External links
Triceratops ( ; ) is a genus of chasmosaurine ceratopsian dinosaur that lived during the late Maastrichtian age of the Late Cretaceous period, about 68 to 66 million years ago on the island continent of Laramidia, now forming western North America. It was one of the last-known non-avian dinosaurs and lived until the Cretaceous–Paleogene extinction event 66 million years ago. The name Triceratops, which means 'three-horned face', is derived from the Ancient Greek words ('), meaning "three", ('), meaning "horn", and (''), meaning "face".
Bearing a large bony frill, three horns on the skull, and a large, four-legged body, exhibiting convergent evolution with rhinoceroses, Triceratops is one of the most recognizable of all dinosaurs and the best-known ceratopsian. It was also one of the largest, measuring around long and weighing up to . It shared the landscape with and was most likely preyed upon by Tyrannosaurus. The functions of the frills and three distinctive facial horns on its head have inspired countless debates. Traditionally, these have been viewed as defensive weapons against predators. More recent interpretations find it probable that these features were primarily used in species identification, courtship, and dominance display.