XL 0.8" Triceratops Fossil Crown Tooth Hell Creek FM Cretaceous Dinosaur MT COA
Location: Hell Creek Formation, Montana (Private Land Origin)
Weight: 0.3 Ounces
Dimensions: 0.8 Inches Long, 0.5 Inches Wide, 0.4 Inches Thick
Comes with a Certificate of Authenticity.
Comes with a Free Display.
The item pictured is the one you will receive.
Cretaceous Age 66-83.5 million years old.
Name: Triceratops
Type: Herbivore
Size: 8 to 9 meters long.
In the vast plains of Late Cretaceous North America, roughly 68 million years ago, herds of Triceratops roamed cautiously under the shadow of towering conifers. These massive herbivorous ceratopsid dinosaurs weighed between 5 and 9 metric tons and moved on strong, sturdy limbs that supported their large skulls and imposing bony frills. Each individual carried three distinctive horns—two long brow horns above the eyes and a smaller nasal horn—while the frill was edged with smaller spikes, providing both protection and visual display within the herd.
Life for Triceratops was a delicate balance between grazing and vigilance. Predators like Tyrannosaurus rex, the apex predator of the Late Cretaceous, stalked these herds, forcing Triceratops to rely on their formidable horns and frills for survival. When a T. rex approached, the herd would lower their heads, presenting a wall of horns and spiked frills to deter the predator. Fossil evidence shows healed punctures and scars, confirming that these encounters were frequent and often violent.
Triceratops’ massive skull, short neck frill, and strong jaw allowed it to feed effectively on low-lying vegetation. At the same time, its horns served both defensive and social purposes, such as establishing dominance or protecting the young. Herd behavior likely enhanced survival, with adults shielding juveniles from predators.
As one of the most recognizable ceratopsian dinosaurs, Triceratops provides key insights into Late Cretaceous ecosystems, predator-prey relationships, and the evolution of defensive adaptations among herbivorous dinosaurs. Its iconic three horns, spiked frill, and massive quadrupedal body continue to captivate paleontologists and dinosaur enthusiasts alike. Today, Triceratops stands as a symbol of prehistoric strength and resilience, illustrating the dynamic challenges faced by herbivores in a world ruled by apex predators like Tyrannosaurus rex.
