Fun Cerasinops Facts For Kids

Fiza Talath
Nov 29, 2022 By Fiza Talath
Originally Published on Sep 15, 2021
Cerasinops facts that you need to know.
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Age: 3-18
Read time: 5.5 Min

The Cerasinops was named and described by Chinnery Horner and lived in the Campanian age during the Late Cretaceous period. It has been placed as a basal member of Neoceratopia, but its description is variable; it is explicitly assigned to the Leptoceratopsidae group, but it is considered a sister taxon to Leptoceratopsidae, or as a Neoceratopsian in general. The Cerasinops lived in terrestrial habitats such as forests, grasslands, deserts, shorelines, and wetlands, which means it had a very vast habitat. Cerasinops fossils have been found in regions of Asia and North America. The Cerasinops hodgskissi was a large group of herbivorous dinosaurs. These dinosaurs are known for their parrot-like beak fossils and this beak is a distinguishing factor of this dinosaur. They are called Cerasinops due to their facial structure which resembles a parrot-like beak. The term Cerasinops means 'cherry face' or 'horned faced' in Ancient Greek.

Keep reading to learn more about this fascinating dinosaur. If you love learning about dinosaurs, why not also check out these Tanius facts and Incisivosaurus facts for kids on Kidadl?

Cerasinops Interesting Facts

How do you pronounce 'Cerasinops'?

The name of this dinosaur Cerasinops is pronounced 'Seh-rass-e-nopz' and the name means 'cherry face'. The Cerasinops ,which lived in the Campanian age during the late Cretaceous period, was named and described by Chinnery Horner.

What type of dinosaur was Cerasinops?

These dinosaurs were herbivorous dinosaurs that roamed the earth during the Late Cretaceous period. In the group of dinosaurs, it has been classified as a basal member of Neoceratopia. This description is variable as it is explicitly assigned to the Leptoceratopsidae group but it is considered a sister taxon to Leptoceratopsidae, or as a Neoceratopsian in general.

In which geological period did Cerasinops roam the earth?

Cerasinops roamed the earth during the sixth age which is the Campanian age in the Late Cretaceous period, also known as the Ceratopsian era. This period existed from 83.6 million years ago to 72.1 million years ago. The Cerasinops which lived in this period was named and described by Chinnery Horner.

When did Cerasinops become extinct?

The exact period during which the Cerasinops became extinct is not known to mankind. However, these dinosaurs lived during the sixth age which is the Campanian age in the late Cretaceous Period, also known as the Ceratopsian era which existed almost from 83.6 million years ago to 72.1 million years ago.

Where did Cerasinops live?

Cerasinops lived in a range of terrestrial habitats like forests, grasslands, deserts, shorelines, and wetlands. This means they had a very vast habitat. Cerasinops fossils have been found around regions of Asia and North America.

What was the Cerasinops' habitat?

Cerasinops prefer a terrestrial habitat, which includes habitats like forests, grasslands, deserts, shorelines, and wetlands. Some of the ecosystems that these dinosaurs may have lived in could have included floodplains, conifer forests, savannas, gallery forests of large ferns, and more. This group of herbivorous dinosaur species thrived primarily in North America and Asia.

Who did Cerasinops live with?

They mostly roamed the earth with groups of their own species as well as among other similar species.

How long did a Cerasinops live?

The Cerasinops hodgskissi lived during the Campanian age of the Late Cretaceous period, also known as the Ceratopsian era which existed almost from 83.6 million years ago to 72.1 million years ago. They roamed the earth for a fairly long period of time with other family species.

How did they reproduce?

The exact reproduction process of the Cerasinops hodgskissi is not known to us. But this dinosaur was an egg-laying species. It is assumed that this species laid an average of 20 eggs, although research into this is ongoing. It is also assumed that these dinosaurs reproduced similarly to modern-day reptiles who belong to a similar genus.

Cerasinops Fun Facts

What did Cerasinops look like?

Cerasinops hodgskissi was a large group of herbivorous dinosaurs. These dinosaurs were known for their parrot-like beaks and this beak was a distinguishing factor of this dinosaur. The Cerasinops' size and skeleton have both been studied in detail. Its coracoid length is 3.9 in (99 mm), its femur length is 13.9 in (352 mm), its fibula length is 9.9 in (251.5 mm), its humerus length is 10.2 in (260.3 mm), its scapula length is 10.8 in (274 mm), its tibia length is 10.3 in (262.5 mm), and its ulna length is 8.1 in (206 mm). Owing to its shape, size, skeleton, and genus this dinosaur has been placed as a basal member of Neoceratopia. It is considered a sister or a close member of the genus of the taxon to Leptoceratopsidae.

These dinosaurs have a cherry-like face.

How many bones did a Cerasinops have?

The Cerasinops hodgskissi had a large skeleton with many fossils found across the globe. Despite knowing so much about the genus and family of this dinosaur, the exact number of bones in its body has not been accurately determined.

How did they communicate?

This dinosaur may have used loud voices and visual forms of communication. The exact method of communication that took place between these dinosaurs is not yet known to man. But it is assumed that they might have used their voices and body language. Paleontologists still need to explore the exact mode of communication in order to draw a conclusion for this dinosaur specifically.

How big was the Cerasinops?

The Cerasinops hodgskissi was 98.4 in (2.5 m) in length and 3 ft (91.4 cm) tall. They were nearly half the size of a Borealosaurus.

How fast could a Cerasinops move?

These dinosaurs, similar to other species in their genus, were fast-moving dinosaurs. They lived in a collective terrestrial habitat which means they moved around from place to place searching for food. The exact speed of these creatures has not yet been determined.

How much did a Cerasinops weigh?

The Cerasinops weighed 40 lb (18.1 kg).

What were the male and female names of the species?

No specific names were given to male and female dinosaurs of this species.

What would you call a baby Cerasinops?

Dinosaurs are hatched from eggs, therefore new baby dinosaurs can be called hatchlings. Therefore a baby Cerasinops was named a Cersinops hatchling.

What did they eat?

The diet of the Cerasinops hodgskissi primarily consisted of plants and seeds. These animals were harmless vegetarians who adjusted to a variety of habitats which means that their diet was quite flexible.

How aggressive were they?

These animals were non-aggressive animals and they can be described as gentle giants. These animals are herbivorous and did not harm any other species of dinosaurs.

Did you know...

Three different specimens of this dinosaur have been found by paleontologists.

Why are they called Cerasinops?

They are called Cerasinops due to their facial structure which resembles a parrot-like beak. The term Cerasinops means 'cherry face' or 'horned faced' in Ancient Greek.

Who discovered Cerasinops?

The Cerasinops was discovered by Brenda Chinnery and Jack Horner in 2007.

Here at Kidadl, we have carefully created lots of interesting family-friendly dinosaur facts for everyone to discover! Learn more about some other dinosaurs from our Chaoyangsaurus surprising facts and Liaoceratops fun facts for kids pages.

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

Main image by Nobu Tamura.

Second image by ケラトプスユウタ (trans. Ceratops Yuta).

Cerasinops Facts

What Did They Prey On?

Plants, seeds, leaves

what Type of Animal were they?

Herbivores

Average Litter Size?

N/A

What Did They Look Like?

Gray

How Much Did They Weigh?

40 lb (18.1 kg)

Skin Type

Soft skin

How Long Were They?

98.4 in (2.5 m)

How Tall Were They?

3 ft (91.4 cm)

Kingdom

Animalia

Class

Reptilia

Genus

Cerasinops

Family

Leptoceratopsidae

Scientific Name

Cerasinops hodgskissi

What Were Their Main Threats?

Natural disasters

What Habitat Did They Live In?

Terrestrial habitat

Where Did They Live?

North America and Asia
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Written by Fiza Talath

Bachelor of Commerce specializing in Accounting and Finance

Fiza Talath picture

Fiza TalathBachelor of Commerce specializing in Accounting and Finance

As an assistant financial accountant, Fiza has developed a strong understanding of the business world. Her Bachelor of Commerce degree, specializing in Accounting and Finance from St Joseph's College of Commerce (Autonomous), enhances her ability to cover a wide range of topics, including finance, accounting, and business. Fiza's writing skills allow her to communicate complex concepts in a clear and engaging manner. She is also passionate about animal welfare, and enjoys writing on this subject as well.

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