The Triceratops was a tank-sized herbivore that lived up to the end of the age of the dinosaurs. The Triceratops had several defining features like its three horns used to defend against T. rex attacks and a beak it used to shear tough plants to eat. The purpose of its large fan-like structure on the back of its head called the ‘frill’ is still a matter of debate. Some think the frill was a defensive measure to protect its neck from the devastating bite of a T. rex, while others think it likely displayed distinctive colors or patterns to attract mates and be recognizable to other Triceratops. There are even theories that it was used as thermoregulation, as the frill was full of veins that could have allowed the animal’s blood to cool.
At Earth Experience, we have been lucky enough to be able to work on a Triceratops skull from the Hell Creek Formation in Montana. Our specimen is likely a subadult, meaning that even with its large size, full grown Triceratops would still be slightly bigger. Due to erosion, our skull is missing its horns, which is unfortunately common with Triceratops fossils. It does still have a lot of its frill still protected in its plaster jacket until more of the base skull is prepared and stabilized. Come see this work-in-progress in person!
Psittacosaurus was a genus of small Ceratopsian dinosaurs from the Early Cretaceous. On average, members of the Psittacosaurus genus grew to about 6.5 feet long and walked on its hind legs similar to a Theropod dinosaur. The Psittacosaurus has been well preserved and studied, leading paleontologists to make conclusions about them and their behaviors. For example, fossils of congregated young Psittacosaurus hatchlings show that baby Psittacosaurus may have stayed in groups, similar to modern ducklings. One Psittacosaur specimen was so well preserved that it still possessed a cloaca, an anatomic structure shared by reptiles and birds which acts as the single opening for their urinary, digestion, and reproductive tracks. This same fossil also provided evidence for skin coloration and the presence of quills that ran along the base of their tails.
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