Fun Kosmoceratops Facts For Kids

Museums such as the staircase Escalante national monument in North America are home to several dinosaurs that lived millions of years ago and are a part of our natural history. One such dinosaur is the horned face Kosmoceratops which lived around 76 million years ago in western North America during the late Cretaceous period. The species is one of the unique species of dinosaurs as it had horns. Specimens are generally found in southern Utah. The generic name for these dinosaurs is ornate horned face. They were discovered in Laramidia and researched by scientists such as Sampson. Today their skulls and other such features can be seen in a very special museum in North America. As these Triceratopses are ceratopsid, their fossils are very heavy and they are known as a quadrupedal genus.

Paleontologists all across the world love this species as it paved the path to study evolved animals. The dinosaur's broad frills and horn are very unique, making it one of the very few decorated dinosaurs. Their relative species also possess horns above their eyes and pointed tips. Its other name is Utahceratops because these dinosaurs lived in southern Utah like their other related species. This Kosmoceratops dinosaur also shares relations with other herbivorous dinosaurs such as the Chasmosaurine and the Vagaceratops. One interesting fact about this Kosmoceratops dino is its growth was rapid and it had a very elevated metabolism. This shows signs of this dinosaur being related to current-day mammals and birds. The entire history of the Triceratops is both exciting and surprising! To learn more about species related to this dinosaur from Laramidia check out our articles on the swan goose and the trumpeter swan.

How do you pronounce 'Kosmoceratops '?

Around two different specimens of this dinosaur from the Ceratopsian age are present with paleontologists. This dinosaur used to live on a large island that was on the other side of a shallow interior sea. One can pronounce this land dinosaur by following this simple guide, "KOSMO-Cera-TOPS".

What type of dinosaur was a Kosmoceratops?

Their short tail and difference in body size compared to other dinosaurs from the island are why the Kosmoceratops is in a different genus. Their bizarre features make them very different and it even shows on their fossil and skull area. Their head was ornate with horns and they are a type of Triceratops from Laramidia. A lot of information about their other features such as the head and the skull is present in the history museum in North America.

In which geological period did the Kosmoceratops roam the Earth?

The late Cretaceous period was the time for this dinosaur. This horned species lived on our planet around 76 million years ago. The Kosmoceratops dinosaur train is the revolutionary discovery to pave a path for other evolutionary herbivorous animals. This is also shown plenty of times in media all across the world.

When did the Kosmoceratops become extinct?

The western interior seaway across the wetland of Laramidia island is known to be the home for this species. Several fossils have been discovered from the same very place. Paleontologists believe that this land animal does not exist anymore due to volcanic eruptions and asteroid collisions.

Where did a Kosmoceratops live?

As their name suggests, these Utahceratops had their home in North America, particularly southern Utah. The western side of a shallow sea or a western interior island was also a habitat for both the Utahceratops and the Kosmoceratops. Some areas of western North America were also potential habitats for these dinosaurs.

What was a Kosmoceratops' habitat?

A broad basin during the late Cretaceous period was the primary choice of the Kosmoceratops. The natural history for these Triceratops points towards areas which were bounded by mountains across the seaway. Although their natural habitat consisted of plants and dense vegetation, an abundant range of fossils were also present all across these land resources. Deep channels and stable wetlands near shallow seas also counted as good habitat conditions.

Who did a Kosmoceratops live with?

As Sampson describes and as written in the staircase Escalante national monument they lived with their relative species, such as those in the Ceratopsian lineage. This evolutionary Kosmoceratops richardsoni lived with a family and often this short tail dinosaur from Laramidia experienced fights with same-sex dinosaurs.

How long did a Kosmoceratops live?

Most parts of these Kosmoceratops are lost because of erosion. Several important parts of their head and skull cannot be known due to erosion, thus information regarding the life period of these triceratops is almost lost. Although, after research on the discovered fossil and skulls, Sampson assumes that the life span of the Ceratopsian Kosmoceratops richardsoni could have been around 20-30 years.

How did they reproduce?

These ornate horned face dinosaurs from Utah reproduced like modern-day reptiles. Much information about this animal from 76 million years ago can be learned at the staircase Escalante national monument. Their natural history talks about how their reproduction habits were very similar to those of lizards of today's age. Fights between horned males during the reproductive season was a normal affair in this species.

What did a Kosmoceratops look like?

They had bizarre structures, which can be seen on their head and skulls. Their frills, horn, and domes were some of the unique features they had. This dinosaur from the Cretaceous period is used to recognize other new species because of its evolved features. This dinosaur is also used to differentiate between sympatric species. They had huge skulls and were around 14.7 ft (4.5 m) in length. They had around 15 horns on their head and they are known as one of the most horned dinosaurs of all time. Their skull was downward curved.

How many bones did a Kosmoceratops have?

There are numerous holotypes of this dinosaur representing their complete structure in the national museum. The adult skull seems to be missing its primary predatory bone and the lower jaw is also not present. The after-death distortion also has a large impact on the overall fossil, as seen in the bent snout. Around 43-45 percent of this dinosaur's discovered fossils are preserved in the museum. The total number of bones is not known. Its horns grew constantly and nasal horns often gave them a very bony look.

How did they communicate?

Communication among present-day reptiles and this dinosaur from Utah is more or less very similar. The use of vocal calls and visual signs is a must when it comes to communication. Among these dinosaurs which now rest in the museum, similar behavior is noticed. According to researchers such as Sampson, this dinosaur with horns could communicate efficiently through vocals, its tail, and visual signs.

How big was a Kosmoceratops?

According to Sampson, this dinosaur was around 14.7 ft (4.5 m) in length and its horns made it look very magnificent. Its head and face played a very important role in its entire projection. While drawing a comparison it can be said that this dinosaur from Utah is around 6-7 times bigger than a Sumatran orangutan and around twice the size of a Borneo elephant.

How fast could a Kosmoceratops move?

Many dinosaurs with large weights were unable to move very fast. This also applied to the Kosmoceratops. Its weight was huge and its legs were very heavy and large. Thus, it had only a little protection when it came to predators. It was extremely slow and could not fight with predators. Its horns and powerful muscles played an important role in its defense. The use of horns was also very important while fighting with same-sex dinosaurs to attract dinosaurs of the opposite sex during the reproductive period.

How much did a Kosmoceratops weigh?

These dinosaurs from Utah were very heavy and are one of the star dinosaurs in the national museum. Horns across their head gave them a very unique and never seen before look. An adult healthy Kosmoceratops could weigh anywhere around 1 t (1,088 kg) or greater, depending on the size and structure of the dinosaur.

What were the male and female names of the species?

Like fish, dinosaurs are not given different names for their genders. Both the male and female dinosaurs are addressed with the same name. One can address them either through their scientific name or their common name.

What would you call a baby Kosmoceratops?

Babies are named depending upon their age. Just hatched babies are called hatchlings, while young dinosaurs who live in nests are called nestlings.

What did they eat?

They were herbivores and ate only plants or fruits. Seeds can also be counted as part of their diet, but mostly they ate plants.

How aggressive were they?

This resident of Utah may look aggressive because of its horns and overall structure but it was not. It only fought during the breeding season to win a potential female.

Did you know...

The species Kosmoceratops forms a clade with a new sister genus that is Spiclypeus. They lived in a warm, swampy environment.

The Kosmoceratops was not endemic.

Scott Richardson named this dinosaur.

How many horns did a Kosmoceratops have?

Horns were used for protection against predators, as this dinosaur was very slow and could not rely on speed when it came to its defense. It had around 15 horns, which is the most any dinosaur has had so far.

What does the name Kosmoceratops mean?

This dinosaur is named Kosmoceratops because of its ornamented horned face. The name is derived from ancient Greek. This dinosaur shares relations with various species from Alberta, Canada.

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 saber-tooth cat facts and saber-tooth tiger facts for kids.

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

The second image is owned by Slate Weasel.