Fun Bravoceratops Facts For Kidswater dragon facts for kids

Bravoceratops polyphemus are giant, large dinosaurs belonging to the family Ceratopsidae, known to exist in the late Cretaceous period around 70 million years ago in Texas. The group is further divided into two subfamilies, namely, Chasmosaurines and Centrosaurinae.

The meaning of Bravoceratops is 'wild horn face' and comes from the Mexican name of the wild river, Rio Grande in North America, that is, Rio Bravo del Norte. The name is obtained from the Greek words 'keras' and 'ops' meaning 'horn' and 'face' respectively.

The species name Polyphemus is derived from the giant cyclops Polyphemus, the one-eyed jumbo son of Poseidon and Thoosa in Greek mythology.

The genus name was discovered by famous scientists Steven L. Wick and Thomas M. Lehman in 2013. A Bravoceratops skull, was nearly 10 ft (3 m) in length and is considered the largest of all terrestrial animals.

The specimen of this dinosaur is preserved in the collection of the Texas Memorial Museum, Austin, Texas. These dinosaurs possessed large horns and frills which acted as their defense against predators. Bravoceratops scales were small, nonoverlapping, and measured 0.3 in (1 cm) in diameter.

From the fossil records, scientists found that their hind limbs are larger than their forelimbs. These Chasmosaurines are thought to be seasonal migrators. They possess numerous small epoccipitals or spikes (19-26) lining the margin of the extended frill of bone below the skull.

You can also read about other dinosaurs like the Zuniceratops and Yinlong on Kidadl.

Bravoceratops Interesting Facts

How do you pronounce 'Bravoceratops'?

Bravoceratops can be pronounced as 'bravo-cera-tops'.

What type of dinosaur was a Bravoceratops?

Bravoceratops polyphemus were quadrupedal, tetrapod herbivores that existed in the late Cretaceous period in Texas. It is known as one of the last known non-avian dinosaur genera. Bravoceratops Agujaceratops was also a species of the ceratopsian dinosaur from the Late Cretaceous Javelina Formation, now known as Texas, United States.

In which geological period did the Bravoceratops roam the earth?

This ceratopsian dinosaur could be found on earth in the Late Cretaceous Javelina Formation, which is now known by the name Texas, in the United States. They existed from the Campanian age to the Maastrichtian age.

When did the Bravoceratops become extinct?

Bravoceratops were found roaming the earth approximately 70 million years ago in the Late Cretaceous period. They became extinct in the mass extinction due to a comet collision.

Where did a Bravoceratops live?

This large Chasmosaurine was found to be migratory and moved according to seasons. They were native to the coast of North America and Asia with the onset of the rainy season, and they moved inland during the dry summer seasons from June.

What was a Bravoceratops' habitat?

This large Chasmosaurine preferred a terrestrial habitat. Many studies and hypotheses depict that these ceratopsians lived in small groups near the coast with the onset of rainfall or rainy season starting from June, moving inland with the onset of dry summers.

They have also been found to migrate away from the coast to their nesting grounds. This migration was also performed to get protection from their predators, Tyrannosaurids.

Who did a Bravoceratops live with?

Studies show that the behavior of this Chasmosaurine ceratopsid dinosaur was somewhat communal and civil. It is believed they hung out with in small groups, either in a group of three or between 5-10. They also resided individually. They are commonly depicted as herding animals but there is very little evidence support this statement.

How long did a Bravoceratops live?

The lifespan of this Chasmosaurine ceratopsid dinosaur is unknown.

How did they reproduce?

These ceratopsian dinosaurs were known to be oviparous and they reproduced by laying eggs. Lehman found that they possessed sexual dimorphism, a condition where the sexes of similar species exhibit different characteristics. Young male ceratopsians reached maturity several years before breeding started. Both parents were equally involved in raising their young one.

Bravoceratops Fun Facts

What did a Bravoceratops look like?

Bravoceratops polyphemus were large, horned dinosaurs from the Late Cretaceous period. They possessed large fragmentary skulls. Paleontologists like Wick, in their discovery, proposed two traits.

First of all, the bone bar between the frill openings or the parietal bar spread out at the middle like a fan and its edges were not notched. Secondly, at the middle of the upper surface of the bar, a symmetrical dent was formed. These dinosaurs were thought to have cranial frills which are both solid and thick.

We've been unable to source an image of Bravoceratops and have used an image of Centrosaurus instead. If you are able to provide us with a royalty-free image of Bravoceratops, we would be happy to credit you. Please contact us at hello@kidadl.com.

How many bones did a Bravoceratops have?

Bravoceratops polyphemus possessed many smaller hornlike protrusions called cheekbones. The skull bones were melded. Their frontal bones could be folded by virtue, creating a double skull roof.

How did they communicate?

These giant Chasmosaurines had prominent mating signals as their horns and frill tended to form large intricate associations. Sampson, a paleontologist, in his foregoing discovery found that these Chasmosaurine ceratopsid dinosaurs did not develop proper mating signals until the time they were fully grown.

How big was a Bravoceratops?

The Bravoceratops size was found to be 26-30 ft (7.9-9 m) in length and 9.5-9.8 ft (2.9-3.0 m) in height and weighed around 12,000-6,000 lb (5,450-7,260 kg). This dinosaur was 10 times bigger than a mountain lion, a barbary lion, a Sumatran elephant, and an Asian elephant.

How fast could a Bravoceratops move?

There is no data about the speed or movement of these dinosaurs, found in the studies from the fossil remains of this extinct genus.

How much did a Bravoceratops weigh?

It is estimated from the studies and the fossil remains that this giant extinct genus weighed approximately 12,000-16,000 lb (5450-7260 kg).

What were the male and female names of the species?

There are no distinct names given to the male and female dinosaurs of Chasmosaurines. Studies have not shown any physical parameters for distinguishing male and female ceratopsian dinosaurs from the fossil remains. If there are physical differences, they have not yet been found.

What would you call a baby Bravoceratops?

There is no specific name given to a baby Bravoceratops.

What did they eat?

This Chasmosaurine ceratopsian dinosaur is a herbivore and was used to processing high fiber plant material with their advanced dinosaur teeth. These dinosaurs mainly fed on ferns, cycads, palm trees, and other vegetation and were able to take down taller plants.

How aggressive were they?

Studies showed that this Chasmosaurine ceratopsid dinosaur was a dominant herbivore. They had horns that curved forward and frills to protect themselves against predators and to fight for survival. There is evidence of their aggressive nature in interactions with Tyrannosaurus.

Did you know...

These dinosaurs were thought to reside alongside another horned dinosaur, known as Torosaurus.

Who discovered the Bravoceratops?

This dinosaurs species was discovered and named by Steven L. Wick and Thomas M. Lehman in 2013.

What formation is the Bravoceratops known from?

These Bravoceratops are from the Javelina Formation, which is a geological formation in Texas, United States. The age of the formation has been very difficult to estimate.

Only one geological site in the Javelina Formation in Texas, United States has provided the appropriate rock types for radiometric dating with respect to discovery. The Javelina Formation was built out of sandstone, claystone, mudstone, siltstone, and conglomerate.

These large Chasmosaurine ceratopsian dinosaurs were discovered in the bottom part of the Javelina Formation which is dated to the early Maastrichtian period.

Here at Kidadl, we have carefully created lots of interesting family-friendly dinosaur facts for everyone to discover! Learn more about some other creatures from our bearded dragon fact or water dragon facts for kids.

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