Fun Arrhinoceratops Facts For Kids

Arrhinoceratops, meaning 'no nose-horn face', is a genus consisting of only one ceratopsian dinosaur species. It was named in 1925 by William Arthur Parks. The name of this genus was considered special as the nose-horn wasn't a distinct bone.

This creature existed during the late Campanian and early Maastrichtian ages of the Late Cretaceous period. It is believed to have co-existed with Anchiceratops.

The fossil remains of this genus have been discovered in the Horseshoe Canyon Formation, three miles (4.8 km) above Bleriot Ferry, Red Deer River, Alberta (Canada). A partial skull was excavated here from which only one species is recognized, Arrhinoceratops brachyops.

Arrhinoceratops brachyops was given its name in 1925. Another specimen was found in 1946 in Utah, and was named Arrhinoceratops utahensis by Gilmore. However, this species was later classified in the Torosaurus genus, leaving behind only one species in the Arrhinoceratops genus.

This dinosaur was a herbivore with a diet consisting of plant matter. It could attain a length of 20 ft (6 m) and a height of 7 ft (2.1 m).

It is assumed that it weighed approximately 4,000 lb (2 tons)! Keep reading to discover facts about the diet, skull, nose-horn, habitat, and more of Arrhinoceratops!

If you enjoyed reading our Arrhinoceratops facts, you must check out our Cearadactylus surprising facts and Tarascosaurus interesting facts!

Arrhinoceratops Interesting Facts

How do you pronounce 'Arrhinoceratops'?

Arrhinoceratops (meaning no nose-horn face) can be pronounced 'ar-rye-no-sore-us'.

What type of dinosaur was an Arrhinoceratops?

Arrhinoceratops is a genus that comprises a single ceratopsian dinosaur species that fed upon plants. This genus comprises only one species, Arrhinoceratops brachyops. It was named by William Arthur Parks.

The genus name originated from Greek words that mean without, nose, and face. It was named so due to the absence of a separate nose-horn. The specific name of the species means short-faced.

The specimen of this sole species was discovered in the Horseshoe Canyon Formation layer in Canada and dates back to the early Maastrichtian or late Campanian Age. The specimen comprises the skull of the dinosaur. Other small fossil specimens have also been found of this species.

In which geological period did the Arrhinoceratops roam the earth?

This dinosaur existed in the Late Cretaceous period about 68 million years ago.

When did the Arrhinoceratops become extinct?

These dinosaurs existed during the Late Cretaceous period, which ended approximately 66 million years ago.

Where did an Arrhinoceratops live?

The fossil remains of this species have been excavated from the Horseshoe Canyon Formation, Red Deer River, Alberta, Canada.

What was an Arrhinoceratops's habitat?

This dinosaur inhabited a terrestrial habitat. It is assumed to have dwelled in heavily forested areas, as it was herbivorous and fed upon plants. It is believed to have lived in coastal areas where there are cool winters and warm summers.

Who did an Arrhinoceratops live with?

It is believed that they were herd-dwelling dinosaurs that may have come in contact with hadrosaurs like Saurolophus, Edmontosaurus, and Hypacrosaurus. Arrhinoceratops dinosaurs were not alone, as fossils of Eotriceratops, Anchiceratops, and Pachyrhinosaurus have also been discovered in the same fossil formation.

Arrhinoceratops dinosaurs existed in the earliest Maastrichtian age/latest Campanian age of the Cretaceous period and predated the Triceratops, their relatives, by some million years.

How long did an Arrhinoceratops live?

The lifespan of these dinosaurs is not known. However, we do know that they lived on Earth from 66-83.5 million years ago.

How did they reproduce?

These dinosaurs are assumed to have had dominance and courtship rituals where the male forced blood into its frill, which created a vibrant display of color. The frill of this dinosaur was deeply veined on the underside and on the upper side by arterial grooves.

These grooves ran along and into the bone and were filled with blood vessels. These blood vessels supplied oxygenated blood to the soft tissue.

The individual who could maintain this extra blood flow in the frill for the longest duration was considered worthy to mate with. They are believed to have given birth by laying eggs.

Arrhinoceratops Fun Facts

What did an Arrhinoceratops look like?

Arrhinoceratops brachyops is the only recognized species of Arrhinoceratops and dwelled in Asia and North America throughout the Cretaceous period that came to an end about 65 million years ago. It had a parrot-like beak.

The fossils of Arrhinoceratops brachyops found in Red Deer River, Alberta, Canada, are of a skull that features two oval openings and a wide neck frill. The nose-horn of this dinosaur was not separated.

It had long brow horns, with a blunter and shorter nose horn than other Ceratopsians. The frill of this dinosaur was deeply veined on the underside as well and on the upper side by arterial grooves.

These grooves ran along and into the bone and were filled with blood vessels. These blood vessels supplied oxygenated blood to the soft tissue. This frill's sides were enhanced by nine osteoderms, which are bony deposits that form scales.

The frill's rear edge was slightly scalloped. It possessed a high and short snout.

The body of this dinosaur is assumed to be like that of all Ceratopsidae members. Its length is assumed to be 20 ft (6 m) based on the skull size.

How many bones did an Arrhinoceratops have?

It is not known how many bones Arrhinoceratops possessed. However, we do know that it was renowned for the absence of a separated nose-horn.

How did they communicate?

These dinosaurs are known to have communicated through signals. These signals were used during the breeding period to show dominance and health.

How big was an Arrhinoceratops?

The Arrhinoceratops was a ceratopsian dinosaur of medium size that was 20 ft (6 m) long and 7 ft (2.1 m tall.

How fast could an Arrhinoceratops move?

The speed of these mighty creatures is not yet known.

How much did an Arrhinoceratops weigh?

Arrhinoceratops, meaning no nose-horn face, is believed to have weighed up to 4,000 lb (2 tons).

What were the male and female names of the species?

The suffix of the term dinosaur is Saurus for males and Saura for females.

What would you call a baby Arrhinoceratops?

The baby of species of this genus Arrhinoceratops can be referred to as a hatchling or juvenile.

What did they eat?

Arrhinoceratops, like all Ceratopsians, were herbivores. The diet of these Cretaceous period dinosaurs included plants like cycads, conifers, and ferns. It is assumed that they utilized their sharp beak to chew needles and bite off leaves. It is believed that they were threatened by predation from mighty tyrannosaurs like the Albertosaurus.

How aggressive were they?

Dinosaurs of the Ceratopidae family are assumed to have been quite aggressive. They were quite heavy and could have easily crushed bones.

Did you know...

Ceratopsians like the Pentaceratops, Chasmosaurus, Anchiceratops, Torosaurus, and Triceratops were close relatives of Arrhinoceratops!

What was special about arrhinoceratops?

Arrhinoceratops brachyops had a unique nose-horn. This nose horn wasn't a separate bone. It was attached to the skull, which was very unusual.

How did Arrhinoceratops get their name?

The genus name originated from Greek words that mean without, nose, and face, and when combined, imply 'no-nose horn face'. It was named so due to the absence of a separate nose-horn. The specific name of the species Arrhinoceratops brachyops means 'short-faced'.

Here at Kidadl, we have carefully created lots of interesting family-friendly dinosaur facts for everyone to discover! For more relatable content, check out these Preondactylus facts and Fabrosaurus facts for kids.

You can even occupy yourself at home by coloring in one of our free printable Arrhinoceratops coloring pages.