5.4" Triceratops Fossil Rib End Bone Lance Creek FM Cretaceous Dinosaur WY COA

Type: Herbivore

Size: 8 to 9 meters long.

Triceratops is a genus of herbivorous ceratopsid dinosaurs that lived during the Late Cretaceous period, approximately 68 million years ago, in what is now North America. One of the most iconic and well-studied dinosaurs, Triceratops weighed between 5 and 9 metric tons and was a large, quadrupedal herbivore distinguished by its three prominent horns and an expansive bony frill extending from the back of its skull. The two long brow horns above the eyes were its most formidable defensive features, while the smaller nasal horn projected from its snout. Additionally, smaller spikes along the edge of the frill enhanced protection and may have served as visual signals within herds.

The skull of Triceratops was massive relative to its body, with a short neck frill rising from the back. Its strong, sturdy limbs supported its enormous frame, allowing it to graze on low-lying vegetation and navigate the open plains of the Late Cretaceous. The horns and frill were multifunctional, used both for defense against predators and for intraspecific display or combat. Fossil evidence suggests that Triceratops often coexisted with Tyrannosaurus rex, one of the apex predators of the time, which likely posed a significant threat despite the Triceratops’ defensive adaptations.

Triceratops fossils have been found in abundance across North American Late Cretaceous formations, highlighting their importance as a dominant herbivore of its ecosystem. Its distinctive anatomy—robust skull, three facial horns, and protective frill—provided both defense and social advantages. Triceratops’ horns and frill may have been used to establish hierarchy within herds, attract mates, or deter rivals, making it a fascinating subject for paleontologists.

As one of the most recognizable ceratopsid dinosaurs, Triceratops continues to captivate both scientists and dinosaur enthusiasts. Its fossils, horn structures, and defensive adaptations offer crucial insights into herbivorous dinosaur behavior, anatomy, and survival strategies in the Late Cretaceous, cementing Triceratops as a true icon of prehistoric life.