Triceratops

Also known as Triceratopses

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".

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.

Wikidata facts

Mass: 12
Image: UCMP Triceratops right.JPG
Height: 3
Length: 9

Show 7 more facts

IPA transcription: tɹaɪˈsæɹətɑps
taxon name: Triceratops
Commons category: Triceratops
start time: 68000000-0
end time: 65000000-0
Commons gallery: Triceratops
taxon common name: 三角龍

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~48 min read

Article

21 sections

Contents

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

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.