Protoceratops (name meaning "First-Horned Face") is a genus of ceratopsian dinosaur that originated during the Late Cretaceous period in what is now Asia. Measuring more than two meters long and weighing around 270 kg, this sheep-sized herbivorous dinosaur is a more primitive relative of the larger and more famous Triceratops.
In the Series 2 episode "The Giant Claw”, a small herd of Protoceratops, consisting of seven individuals, were brought back to the park from Late Cretaceous Mongolia, 80 million years ago. They reside in a desert/forest enclosure in the Ceratopsian Grassland exhibit of the park. A few of the members were females and have recently laid eggs.
Facts[]
Era & Discovery[]
Among the very first members of the ceratopsian family, Protoceratops lived in prehistoric Mongolia during the Late Cretaceous period from 83 – 65 million years ago. They shared their environment with dinosaurs like Saurolophus, Velociraptor, Mononykus, Therizinosaurus, and Tarbosaurus.
Among the first members of the ceratopsian dinosaur family (hence their name), Protoceratops were also very common during their time in the Mongolian desert. Some paleontologists today described them as "The Sheep of the Cretaceous." Protoceratops was first discovered in Mongolia in 1923 by Walter W. Granger and W.K. Gregory.
Physical Attributes[]
Although these were relatively small herbivores compared to a majority of other dinosaurs, a fully grown Protoceratops was roughly the size of a sheep, measuring around 6 – 7 feet (2 – 2.2 m) long, standing 3 – 4 feet (1 – 1.3 m) tall at the hips, and weighing as much as 600 lbs. (272 kg). They are brownish-green in color. They have a large neck frill, and scientists think it may be to impress other members of the species, or used as a "built-in weapon".
Protoceratops skeleton
Its forelimbs were shorter than its hind limbs. It also had a short tail and a large head with a small frill They also possessed very strong, formidable, sharp, and powerful beaks with sharp teeth. A strike from their beaks possessed enough force to snap the limbs of any animal similar in size to Protoceratops and probably even humans.
Behavior & Traits[]
Like many herbivores, Protoceratops lived not only in herds but also in huge nesting colonies. However, they were also often solitary creatures as well and also lived in small groups. Protoceratops often clashed for territory with each other and were rather belligerent but are also described as being just as docile as sheep.
Prehistoric Earth: A Natural History[]
Season 2[]
Journal Entry[]
Gallery[]
Trivia[]
- Protoceratops was the first and smallest ceratopsian brought to the park.
- The sound effects of Protoceratops are that of horse, lamb, moose, rhinoceros, altered sheep, walrus, and warthog sound effects.
- Protoceratops scientific name is the same as that of Embolotherium. They both share the scientific name "andrewsi".