Written by
Kidadl TeamPublished on Apr 01, 2022
Written by
Kidadl TeamPublished on Apr 01, 2022
The Mosaiceratops was a ceratopsian dinosaur or, more accurately, a basal neoceratopsian dinosaur that was found in central China. Scientists claim that this dinosaur lived during the upper cretaceous period. Known to be a small species of dinosaur, they were unique and different from other types of dinosaurs.
Little information is known about them, but the research about them is ongoing. Few parts of the skull, like the anterior part of the skull, are yet to be fully discovered. Keep reading to know more cool facts!
The ideal way to pronounce Mosaiceratops is 'Mo-sai-cera-tops'.
The Mosaiceratops were a type of Ceratopsian dinosaurs that belonged to the infraorder of Neoceratopsia.
The exact geological period cannot be said certainly for these dinosaurs; however, since Ceratops roamed the Earth during the Late Cretaceous period, we can assume that these dinosaurs lived during the Upper Cretaceous period.
Owing to limited information, the exact time frame of extinction of these dinosaurs is unknown. However, we can assume that these dinosaurs became extinct during the upper cretaceous age.
The fossil remains of these dinosaurs were found in the Xiaguan formation located in the Neixiang County of the Henan province in central China. Thus, we can say that these dinosaurs were found in central China.
The climate during the Cretaceous period was hot and humid, which facilitated the growth of plants and vegetation. Thus, the ideal habitat of these dinosaurs were mainly grasslands and forests.
Dinosaurs, in general, were social animals. Some species lived in groups and herds of thousands of individuals, while other species of these ancient reptiles often led solitary lives.
Since the Mosaiceratops were small dinosaurs, we can assume that their lifespan ranged for a time period of 20 years.
The dinosaurs were born from hatching eggs.
These dinosaurs had huge eyes, as evident from their big eye sockets. The holotype prepared of this dinosaur consists of 24 vertebrae, dorsal rib, leg bones, and an articulated skull. The skull had a distinct nasal bone along with other nasal bones, along with a jugal bone, premaxillary teeth, and advanced taxa. The anterior part of the skull was a partial skull which consisted of the lower jaw.
It is currently unknown how many bones the Mosaiceratops had in its skeleton.
Apart from body movements and signs, dinosaurs communicated with each other using croaking sounds.
The size of the Mosaiceratops is currently unknown.
The speed of the Mosaiceratops is currently unknown.
The weight of the Mosaiceratops is currently unknown.
No distinct names are used to differentiate between a male and a female dinosaur.
A baby dinosaur is known as a hatchling. Therefore, in the case of a Mosaiceratops, it is known as a Mosaiceratops hatchling.
No information about the aggressive nature of the Mosaiceratops is currently known.
The name of these dinosaurs translates to mosaic horned face. It usually is a reference to the basal neoceratopsians, which were evident in other basal ceratopsians and basal neoceratopsian dinosaurs.
*We've been unable to source an image of Mosaiceratops and have used an image of Titanoceratops instead. If you are able to provide us with a royalty-free image of Mosaiceratops, we would be happy to credit you. Please contact us at [email protected]
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