Other Definitions
protoceratops (dict)
|
ProtoceratopsProtoceratops is a ceratopid herbivorous dinosaur genus from the Upper Cretaceous. Protoceratops is a cousin of the Ceratopsidae family, including the famous Triceratops. It had the size of a dwarf hippopotamus, weighing up to 900 lbs and its fossils are found mainly in Mongolia. Due to its less derived appearance and taxonomic position (which has less to do with physical evolution than most would assume) Protoceratops looks older than Triceratops, were it not that it lived at nearly the same time. There are two recognized species: the type species P. andrewsi and the newly named P. hellenikorhinus. Protoceratops had a large neck frill, possibly for defense against predators. In 1971, A Velociraptor was found clutched around a Protoceratops in Mongolia. It is believed both died at once while fighting, when they were surprised by a sand storm. Velociraptor probably was slashing Protoceratops while lunging the small, 35 lbs predator with its skull. Protoceratops was stocky in build at 440-900 lbs in weight. It had no horn unlike later ceratopsians but a much more well-developed neck frill than Psitaccosaurus
|
 |