You can tell just by looking at it this creature's name-"proto-ceratops"-that was among the first of its kind. A prototype is the original after which others are modeled. Protoceratops was the first in the line of reptiles that evolved into such well-known species as triceratops. The beast had tremendously strong jaws that could not only snap thick branches from shrubs for eating, but could also tear into the flesh of attackers. A famous fossil found in China shows it battling a velociraptor.
Frill Ridge: Protoceratops had a wide frill growing from the top of its skull. The frill was mostly hollow so it didn't make the creature's head too heavy to hold up. Some experts think it was brightly colored to help attract mates.
Muscle Mouth: This beast's skull was up to two feet long, and was anchored with huge muscles around the jaws. Though protoceratops lacked other defensive weapons, its bite was strong enough to crack through an enemy's bones.
Who's Your Daddy?[]
Young protoceratops had much shorter frills than adults.
Protoceratops was the first species in a long line of successful dinos, which included beasts that were among the last dinosaurs to roam the Earth. Protoceratops was built so well that little changed between it and its ancestors, which came around 10 million years later. Like protoceratops, the later dinos had protective frills behind their heads. Proto also had small horns on its face that it used to fight rivals over females; its relatives grew these longer, making them into fierce weapons.
Slicers: This creature's beak-like mouth was sharp like a pair of scissors, allowing it to snip branches from shrubs, and even give enemies nasty bites. Sharp, molar-like teeth in the back of the dino's mouth were used to chew food.
Herd Mentality: Many protoceratops fossils have been found in groups, showing that the animals lived in herds. If a predator came around, the bigger herd members would form a circle around the young, protecting the next generation from harm.
Eternal Struggle[]
One of the most interesting protoceratops fossil found was a skeleton that was locked in battle with a velociraptor. The find showed that protoceratops could put up a fight, as it had the predator's leg in its sharp beak. A sudden landslide killed both dinosaurs in the middle of the fight.
Trading Card[]
Trivia[]
- The protoceratops is featured on several Monster Mania cards:
- It is first featured in Timeline Tracker on Monster Mania 73.
- It is then featured in Timeline Tracker on Monster Mania 81.
- This makes it the third creature to feature in Timeline Tracker more than once, along with Dunkleosteus and Eurypterids.