Prenoceratops | Facts & Information

The species Prenoceratops pieganensis was described in 2004 by paleontologist Brenda J. Chinnery, following the study of fossil remains discovered in Montana (USA). They date from the Mesozoic era, from the Upper Cretaceous period, 80 million years ago.

His head was very large, wide, triangular in shape, but on the nape he did not have a shield as expected, but only a small bony protrusion or a shield beginning that did not develop. In the rest on the forehead or nose there is no horn as in other ceratopsids.

The forelimbs were slightly shorter than the hind ones, but equally muscular. They ended up with big paws, wide fingers and thick claws.

The Walking of this dinosaur was quadruped, but in case of danger managed to run quickly only on the hind limbs. The long, thick tail helps him maintain balance, and when he quietly grazed the plants on the ground, he kept it hanging.

The researchers estimated the size of an adult and concluded that it was a small animal. It reached a body length of 1.5 m, height of 70 cm and weight of 50 kg.

His snout ended with a parrot – like beak, with sharp edges with which he broke the bundles of plants – ferns, conifers, flowers, leaves-which he then chewed with the sharp teeth on the two jaws.