Styracosaurus albertensis is a herbivorous dinosaur that lived during the Late Cretaceous period, approximately 75 to 72 million years ago. It belongs to the group of dinosaurs known as ceratopsids, which were characterized by their impressive horns and crests on their heads.
The name "Styracosaurus" comes from Greek and means "spiny lizard" or "spined lizard", referring to the distinctive features on its head. This specific species, Styracosaurus albertensis, was discovered in the province of Alberta, Canada, where its species name comes from.
This dinosaur reached considerable sizes, measuring around 5.5 to 6 meters in length and weighing around 2 to 3 tons. Its most striking appearance was its impressive head adorned with several thorns and horns. It had a large horn on its snout, similar to Triceratops, and smaller horns projecting from its ruff, which was a wide, ornate structure extending from the back of its head.
The horns and ruff of Styracosaurus albertensis probably had a function for species recognition and mating rituals, as well as defense against predators, although there has also been speculation about their use in social displays and thermoregulation.
Its limbs were robust and allowed it to move on both two and four legs, although it was probably mainly quadrupedal. As a herbivore, it fed mainly on low plants, ferns, and conifers.
The Styracosaurus is a well-known dinosaur thanks to the numerous fossils found in North America. Its distinctive appearance has made it a favorite among dinosaur enthusiasts and it has been depicted in books, films, and other forms of entertainment, thus contributing to its popularity and recognition in popular culture.
Approximate measurements of the base
The name "Styracosaurus" comes from Greek and means "spiny lizard" or "spined lizard", referring to the distinctive features on its head. This specific species, Styracosaurus albertensis, was discovered in the province of Alberta, Canada, where its species name comes from.
This dinosaur reached considerable sizes, measuring around 5.5 to 6 meters in length and weighing around 2 to 3 tons. Its most striking appearance was its impressive head adorned with several thorns and horns. It had a large horn on its snout, similar to Triceratops, and smaller horns projecting from its ruff, which was a wide, ornate structure extending from the back of its head.
The horns and ruff of Styracosaurus albertensis probably had a function for species recognition and mating rituals, as well as defense against predators, although there has also been speculation about their use in social displays and thermoregulation.
Its limbs were robust and allowed it to move on both two and four legs, although it was probably mainly quadrupedal. As a herbivore, it fed mainly on low plants, ferns, and conifers.
The Styracosaurus is a well-known dinosaur thanks to the numerous fossils found in North America. Its distinctive appearance has made it a favorite among dinosaur enthusiasts and it has been depicted in books, films, and other forms of entertainment, thus contributing to its popularity and recognition in popular culture.
Approximate measurements of the base
- Scale 1:35
- Length 165mm
- Scale 1:20
- Length 286mm
