Medusaceratops lokii is an extinct genus of ceratopsian dinosaur that lived in the late Cretaceous, approximately 84 to 71 million years ago, during the Campanian, in what is now North America.
Known for fragmentary fossil remains including parts of the skull and some postcranial bones. Although fossils are limited, scientists have been able to reconstruct some features of Medusaceratops.
The name "Medusaceratops" comes from its distinctive feature, a series of snake-like protrusions that resemble Medusa's hair in Greek mythology. These protrusions consist of long, backward-curving horns that extend from the back of its skull. In addition to these unique features, Medusaceratops shared traits typical of ceratopsians.
Based on comparisons with related ceratopsian dinosaurs, Medusaceratops is thought to have been relatively small. It is estimated that it had a length of around 4 to 6 meters and a weight of approximately 1 to 2 tons. However, these estimates can vary by species within the genus Medusaceratops.
The general appearance of Medusaceratops would have been similar to other ceratopsians. It had a stocky body with four legs and a large, ornate head. Like other members of its family, Medusaceratops possessed a horny beak at the front of its skull and a prominent bony ruff at the rear. These features would have had various functions, including defense against predators and visual display for recognition among individuals of the same species.
Approximate measurements of the Medusaceratops:
- Scale 1:72 - 82 mm long (Complete)
- Scale 1:35 - 166 mm long (2 pieces)
- Full base on both scales
