
Fun Facts About Triceratops
Triceratops lived 83.5-66 million years ago in the area that is now North America. They were massive herbivores with 3 horns. Triceratops used their horns to defend themselves against predators. They may have also been used in courtship displays and combat with other Triceratops. Scientists have found evidence that their teeth were more complex than those found in reptiles or mammals today because they were self-wearing. In other words, Triceratops wore them into chewing shape. Here are some fun facts about Triceratops:
- Triceratops means three horned face, which is fitting since they had 2 brow horns and 1 nose horn.
- Horned dinosaurs like Triceratops had some of the largest skulls of any land animals discovered.
- The first Triceratops was discovered in Colorado in 1887 and named in 1889.
- Triceratops fossils have been found in the Dakotas, Montana, Wyoming, Colorado, and Canada.
- An adult Triceratops could be 30 feet long and weigh 6-8 tons.
- Triceratops had a bony beak useful for cutting and slicing low hanging plants.
- Triceratops could have up to 800 teeth, which were continually replaced throughout its life.
- They lived during the Late Cretaceous period along with other dinosaurs like Tyrannosaurus rex, Edmontosaurus, Ankylosaurus, and Pachycephalosaurus.
- Several Triceratops fossils have been discovered with bite marks from T. rex.
- Triceratops likely lived in dry, forested areas and plains with ample vegetation since they were plant eating dinosaurs.
- Fossils discovered in Hell Creek Formation help us understand more about Triceratops and their environment. Check out Hell Creek Fossils for more information about public dinosaur digs in that area.
Unfortunately, Triceratops did not survive the K-T extinction event that wiped out most living things on Earth 66 million years ago, so we must rely on fossils to learn more about this beloved beast. Thankfully, we’ve got a great selection of Triceratops fossils and products available at Tyrannostorus!