Fun Coahuilaceratops Facts For Kids

Coahuilaceratops are the first horned dinosaurs of Mexico, originally discovered in 2008. They were officially described in 2010. The dinosaur was named by Mark A. Loewen, Andrew A. Farke, Michael A. Getty, Scott D. Sampson, Aguillón martínez, and some other paleontologists. These ancient dinosaurs are said to have the largest horns among all of their species. Their fossil was found in the site of the desert terrain of southern Mexico, which according to Loewen had a very different ecosystem in the late Cretaceous period. During that time it had a humid environment and lush vegetation just like the rainforests. In that region the ocean water mixed with the fresh waters resembling a gulf. Before discovering the species, scientists had very little knowledge of Mexican dinosaurs or the environmental details during the upper Cretaceous era. The fossil study suggests the age of dinosaurs to be 72 million years ago. The Discovery of this dinosaur has opened opportunities for paleontologists to discover more about ancient Mexico. The site remains of this dinosaur were found in the middle strata of Cerro del pueblo formation, and the fossils were recovered from that particular location only. The horned dinosaur was not bipedal, which means it stood on all four legs. It was a herbivore and thus was not predatory in nature. The new species will be announced in the book 'New Perspectives on Horned Dinosaurs', which will be published by Indiana University Press next week. Also, read interesting facts about dinosaurs and Jeholosaurus.

How do you pronounce 'Coahuilaceratops '?

The name of the dinosaur is pronounced as 'Koh-whe-lah-sara-tops'.

What type of dinosaur was a Coahuilaceratops?

Coahuilaceratops are Chasmosaurine ceratopsian dinosaurs that are considered to have the largest horns in all of the dinosaur species. It is the first horned dinosaur in Mexico. Its discovery has open new opportunities for researchers to study Mexican dinosaurs and also the Mexican ecosystem in the Mesozoic era.

In which geological period did the Coahuilaceratops roam the earth?

The Ceratopsids roam the earth in the late or upper Cretaceous (campanian) period. During the late Cretaceous, the Mexican ecosystem was completely different than the present-day according to Loewen, Scott Sampson, and other researchers.

When did the Coahuilaceratops become extinct?

The Ceratopsids became extinct 70 million years ago. According to Sampson, the dinosaurs were wiped out by heavy storms and many other natural calamities in the Cerro del pueblo formation (Coahuila) where most of the remains were found.

Where did a Coahuilaceratops live?

The Ceratopsids lived in North America and Southern Mexico. Their remains were mostly found in the site of the Cerro del pueblo formation (Coahuila, Mexico) which is 40 mi (64 km) west of Saltillo near the town of Porvenir de jalpa.

What was a Coahuilaceratops's habitat?

The horned dinosaur lived in humid regions with lush vegetation in the present desert of Mexico. According to a group of paleontologists, the site from where the fossils of the great horn dinosaur are excavated, was nothing like the late Cretaceous period when the horned dinosaur was alive.

Who did a Coahuilaceratops live with?

Ceratopsids are not known to live with another group of dinosaurs. They may have lived in packs with a different group (males). The purpose of the massive horn is said to be as a defense mechanism during fights with rivals.

How long did a Coahuilaceratops live?

The horned dinosaurs' lifespan is unknown. The Coahuilaceratops magnacuerna became extinct 70 million years ago.

How did they reproduce?

It is very difficult to describe the mating nature of the dinosaur from its remains because the fossils excavated by the scientists did not have an intact reproductive organ from which their sexual rituals can be discovered. For over 100 years, paleontologists have been struggling to find facts so that the mating of the dinosaurs can be properly described. In recent years the studies were diverted from the fossils to the nearest descendants or relatives of the dinosaurs. Their behavior is observed and thus the mating of the dinosaurs is concluded. According to that, both the male and female species of the dinosaur have one opening for both reproduction and excretion called the cloaca.

What did a Coahuilaceratops look like?

The horned dinosaur from the Late Cretaceous period is popular for its unique feature of 4 ft (121 cm) long horns on the skull. These dinosaurs were named by Farke, Getty, Eberth, Loewen, Aguillón Martínez, and Scott Sampson after their unique feature of having long horns which were bigger than their nose horn. Coahuila refers to the Mexican state of Coahuila, where the fossils were discovered and the Greek word 'ceratops' means 'great horns'. The remains of the adult dinosaur were first excavated in 2003 by C.A de Leon from the Cerro del pueblo formation in Mexico and were prepared in the royal Tyrrell museum. The Coahuila horn face dinosaurs were from the late Cretaceous period and were 22 ft (670 cm) long and have horns that are 4 ft (121 cm) long over their skull. They have the largest eye horns which are bigger than that of the triceratops.

How many bones did a Coahuilaceratops have?

The Ceratopsids have approximately 200 bones including their rostral, predentary, jugal, parietal, and squamosal bones.

How did they communicate?

According to fossils, it is assumed that the Coahuila horn face dinosaur from Mexico can communicate both visually and verbally. The perspectives on horned dinosaurs state that Courtship gestures or other physical gestures may have been used during fights or choosing mates

How big was a Coahuilaceratops?

The dinosaurs are 264 in (6.7 m) long and weigh 4-5 t (3628-4535 kg). They are bigger than their descendants from the present days like the common blackbird and ovenbirds or other species of animals who share the same ancestor. Their horns are bigger than any other species of dinosaurs having horns. They had nose horn and their eye horns are bigger than that of the triceratops. They are bigger than elephants and barbary lions.

How fast could a Coahuilaceratops move?

The Ceratopsids were slow, assuming from their weight. They weigh 4-5 t (3628-4535 kg) on average.

How much did a Coahuilaceratops weigh?

A Coahuilaceratops magnacuerna 4-5 t (3628-4535 kg) weighs. They resembled the body of the present-day rhino.

What were the male and female names of the species?

Male and female adult dinosaurs did not have any specific names. They were indistinguishable other than their reproductive behavioral differences which are still not completely described.

What would you call a baby Coahuilaceratops?

The baby dinosaur is not given any specific names. The juvenile fossils found alongside the million years old suggest that there were no significant differences between the adults and the juveniles. They both have horns on their skull and also nose horns.

What did they eat?

They are herbivorous ceratopsian found in Mexico and North America. As they were the largest herbivores in their habitat, they did not have to fear big tyrannosaur predators according to Farke. They mainly ate leafy vegetables and fruits.

How aggressive were they?

The dinosaurs are herbivore so it is not a predator. The presence of the massive horns on their skull indicates either reproductive success, or can also be a defense mechanism while fighting with another ceratopsian.

Did you know...

The fossils discovered did not have proper evidence of the dental structure of the horned dinosaurs of Mexico. But being herbivores they may not have sharp teeth. Their dental structure from the fossils presented at the Royal Tyrrell museum by David Eberth is considered to be that of the normal herbivores.

In the late Cretaceous age, Mexico was nothing like it is in the present day. The fossils were discovered at a site that was a desert in southern Mexico. According to Sampson Eric Mexico was a humid region with lush vegetation. The Magnacuerna coahuilaceratops lived in that climate million years ago.

What does Coahuilaceratops mean?

The name Coahuilaceratops means 'Coahuila horn face'. The dinosaurs were named by Farke, Getty, Eberth, Loewen, and Scott Sampson after their unique feature of having long horns which were bigger than their nose horn. Coahuila refers to the Mexican state of Coahuila, where the fossils were discovered and the Greek word 'ceratops' means 'great horns'.

Which holotype is Coahuilaceratops known from?

It is known from the holotype CPC 276, a fragmentary adult skeleton fossil found in the particular site in Mexico that contains numerous skull components. CPS 277, another specimen, might be a juvenile ceratopsid that went extinct 70 million years ago.

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 Aliwalia fun facts or Eodromaeus interesting facts for kids pages.

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

The main image is by Nobu Tamura and the second image is by Machairo.