![A Picture of a Ceratosaurus](https://www.factsjustforkids.com/wp-content/uploads/a-ceratosaurus-walking-in-a-forest.png)
- 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.
Ceratosaurus Pictures
![A picture of a Ceratosaurus exhibit in a museum](https://www.factsjustforkids.com/wp-content/uploads/ceratosaurus-fossil-museum-exhibit.png)
A picture of a Ceratosaurus exhibit in a museum.Credit: NHMU
![A picture of a white bronze Ceratosaurus skull replica](https://www.factsjustforkids.com/wp-content/uploads/ceratosaurus-skull-replica.png)
A picture of a white bronze Ceratosaurus skull replica.Credit: Primordial Profiles
![A picture of a rare Ceratosaurus tooth on FossilEra](https://www.factsjustforkids.com/wp-content/uploads/ceratosaurus-tooth.png)
A picture of a rare Ceratosaurus tooth on FossilEra.Credit: FossilEra
![A close-up-picture of a Ceratosaurus head and teeth](https://www.factsjustforkids.com/wp-content/uploads/up-close-of-a-ceratosaurus-head.png)
A close-up-picture of a Ceratosaurus head and teeth.Credit: Ghetty Images
![A picture of a Ceratosaurus fighting a Triceratops](https://www.factsjustforkids.com/wp-content/uploads/ceratosaurus-fighting-a-triceratops.png)
A picture of a Ceratosaurus fighting a Triceratops.Credit: Ghetty Images
![A picture of a few Ceratosaurus attacking their prey](https://www.factsjustforkids.com/wp-content/uploads/ceratosaurus-attacking-its-prey.png)
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.