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Dinosaur Facts
Ceratosaurus Facts
Ceratosaurus Facts
Species Type
: Ceratosaurus nasicornis
Type of Dinosaur
: Theropod
Period
: Late Jurassic
Diet
: Meat (carnivorous)
Length
: Up to 23 feet
Weight
: Up to 2,100 pounds
First Discovered
: Between 1883 and 1884
18 Ceratosaurus Facts for Kids
The Ceratosaurus was discovered between 1883 and 1884 by a farmer named Marshall Parker Felch.
The Ceratosaurus was discovered in the Garden Park paleontological site near Canon City, Colorado.
The Ceratosaurus got its scientific name Ceratosaurus nasicornis in 1884, from Othniel Charles Marsh.
The name Ceratosaurus means: “Horned Lizard”.
The name Ceratosaurus is pronounced: “sih-RAT-uh-SAWR-us”.
The Ceratosaurus was part of a group of dinosaurs known as theropods.
Ceratosaurus lived during the Late Jurassic Period, between 156.3 and 146.8 million years ago.
Paleontologists recognize three species of Ceratosaurus, and they are C. nasicornis, C. dentisulcatus and C. magnicornis.
The holotype specimen for the Ceratosaurus is specimen USNM 4735 and to date is the most complete specimen to have been discovered by paleontologists.
The Ceratosaurus was a carnivore that ate meat.
Paleontologists believe the Ceratosaurus ate both on terrestrial (land) and aquatic prey.
It’s estimated that a Ceratosaurus could reach up to 23 feet in length.
It’s estimated that a Ceratosaurus could reach up to 2,100 pounds in weight.
The estimated length and weight of the Ceratosaurus classifies it as a medium-size theropod.
The teeth of a Ceratosaurus were so long that they extended past their bottom jaw when its mouth was closed.
The Ceratosaurus is most recognizable by the two horns above its eyes and a horn in the middle of its snout.
Paleontologists think the horns on the Ceratosaurus were used as a mating display or used in fights between two males over a potential mate.
The Ceratosaurus has been featured in motion picture movies for over a hundred years, with its first appearance in the 1914 film Brute Force.
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Ceratosaurus Pictures
A picture of a Ceratosaurus exhibit in a museum.
Credit: NHMU
A picture of a white bronze Ceratosaurus skull replica.
Credit: Primordial Profiles
A picture of a rare Ceratosaurus tooth on FossilEra.
Credit: FossilEra
A close-up-picture of a Ceratosaurus head and teeth.
Credit: Ghetty Images
A picture of a Ceratosaurus fighting a Triceratops.
Credit: Ghetty Images
A picture of a few Ceratosaurus attacking their prey.
Credit: Ghetty Images
Additional Resources on Ceratosaurus
Ceratosaurus - Natural History Museum UK
– Discover more facts about the Ceratosaurus on the UK Natural History Museum website.
Ceratosaurus - Natural History Museum of Utah
– Learn about the Amargasaurus on the Natural History Museum of Utah website.
The Largest Ceratosaurus
– Explore the Smithsonian Magazine website to learn about the largest Ceratosaurus.