Ceratopsian Snapshots

Triceratops (try-SEHR-uh-tops) is the best-known ceratopsian. It had three horns on its head and a body like a rhinoceros’s.

The oldest ceratopsian fossils belong to Yinlong downsi (YIN-long DOWN-see). It weighed about as much as a dog. It had no horns or frills and walked on two legs.

Psittacosaurus (sih-TAK-ah-SAW-rus) also walked on two legs. It had bristles on its tail that looked like porcupine quills!

Styracosaurus (stih-RAK-oh-SAW-rus) means “spiked lizard,” and you can see why—look at all those horns!