The Notoceratops, originally called Notoceratops bonarelli, was a ceratopsian meaning 'southern horned face' due to its jaw bone, and is a genus of extinct ornithischian dinosaur from Argentina and South America. The Notoceratops dinosaurs walked the same continent we reside on today.
However, the ecosystems and regions varied greatly from what they are today. The Notoceratops temporal range was the late Cretaceous.
These dinosaurs lived in terrestrial habitats, in dry, forested areas and plains where rich vegetation was plentiful and full of greenery. Dinosaurs made closed-mouth noises, like booms and hoots.
These Argentina-based species may have used loud voices and visual forms of communication. Most large dinosaurs were considered to be slow movers primarily due to their weight and flat feet.
Notoceratops Interesting Facts
How do you pronounce 'Notoceratops'?
The name Notoceratops is pronounced 'Nooto- seraa- tops'.
What type of dinosaur was a Notoceratops?
The Notoceratops, originally called Notoceratops bonarelli, was a ceratopsian, meaning southern horned face, due to its jaw bone, and is a genus of extinct ornithischian dinosaurs from Argentina in South America,†‬and all of Gondwana,†‬the southern collection of landmasses that split from the northern continents during the Mesozoic.†The temporal range of these Notoceratops was late Cretaceous.
In which geological period did Notoceratops roam the earth?
The Notoceratops lived in the late Cretaceous period about 83 million years ago and inhabited South America, specifically Argentina.
When did Notoceratops become extinct?
The Notoceratops, meaning southern horned face, and originally known as Notoceratops bonarelli, became extinct during the Cretaceous–Paleogene, 66 million years ago. These dinosaurs were mostly endemic to Argentina in South America.
Where did Notoceratops live?
The Notoceratops temporal range was the late Cretaceous and the Notoceratops, meaning southern horned face, lived in dry, forested areas and plains where rich vegetation was plentiful. These dinosaurs inhabited Argentina, South America, and Patagonia.
What was the Notoceratops' habitat?
The Notoceratops, meaning southern horned face dinosaur, walked the same continent we reside on today. However, the ecosystems and regions varied greatly from what it is today. The Notoceratops temporal range was the late Cretaceous.
These dinosaurs lived in terrestrial habitats in dry, forested areas and plains where rich vegetation was plentiful and full of greenery. They ate ferns, cycads, palms, and much more. These dinosaurs may have migrated in unsuitable weather conditions or warmer seasons.
Who did Notoceratops live with?
The social life of the Notoceratops, meaning southern horned face dinosaurs, is not known to mankind. However, their fossils, specifically those of their lower jaw, were found amongst fossils of a similar kind, so it is safe to assume that they probably lived in a group of three or four.
How long did a Notoceratops live?
According to Dr. John Nudds, a paleontologist at the University of Manchester, the Notoceratops might have lived 70-80 years. The Notoceratops temporal range was the late Cretaceous. This animal was a ceratopsian.
How did they reproduce?
The exact reproduction process of the Notoceratops is not known to us. But this dinosaur was an egg-laying species.
It laid an average of 50 eggs. A new study has discovered over 70 species that were capable of nesting in high-altitude areas. However, the Notoceratops is not among them.
However, the Notoceratops is believed to have laid eggs in small clutches in a nest which was guarded by the female dinosaur until they were ready to hatch. Once the eggs hatched Notoceratops would grow into one of the greatest herbivores of all time and live on.
Notoceratops Fun Facts
What did a Notoceratops look like?
A Notoceratops was a ceratopsian. It was a frilled, horned, quadrupedal, herbivorous dinosaur. This dinosaur had a beak.
This species is popular for originating from Argentina and also for its jaw bone which is the lower jaw. The Notoceratops walked on four sturdy legs, quite slowly. It even has a large head that connects to its lower jaw bone.
This genus has a bulky body and a parrot-like beak. It even has cheek teeth which can be seen from inside of its lower jaw bone. Its teeth are small but sharp and witty.
It has a small frill on its head that ends before its lower jaw bone starts. The teeth and each and every bone of this animal are quite strong and hard. This animal was initially known as the Notoceratops bonarelli but was later named Notoceratops.
*We've been unable to source an image of Notoceratop and have used an image of Protoceratop instead. If you are able to provide us with a royalty-free image of Notoceratop, we would be happy to credit you. Please contact us at hello@kidadl.com.
How many bones did a Notoceratops have?
The Notoceratops was a huge animal and was earlier known as the Notoceratops bonarelli. Just like the animal, the number of bones in its body are huge.
The number of bones in its skeleton to support its massive body was nearly 985 in total. This creature may seem toothless but in fact they have a sharp set of teeth inside of its beak.
How did they communicate?
Dinosaurs used closed-mouth noises, much like the booms and hoots. These Argentina-based species may have used loud voices and visual forms of communication.
The exact mode of communication that took place between the dinosaurs is not yet known to man. But it is assumed that they might have used their voices and body language like other dinosaurs of the Ornithischian genus.
How big was Notoceratops?
The Notoceratops were a relatively large species. They were 4.6 ft (1.4 m) long.
How fast could a Notoceratops move?
Most large dinosaurs were considered to be slow movers primarily due to their weight and flat feet. Since these dinosaurs fall under this category they too were slow movers of the genus of Ornithischian. Their lower jaw bone contributes to half of their weight.
How much did a Notoceratops weigh?
The Notoceratops weighed around 105.8 lb (48 kg). They were one of the largest and heaviest dinosaurs that belonged to the genus of Ornithischian.
What were the male and female names of the species?
There are no sex-specific names that are given to the male or female dinosaurs of the Ornithischian genus.
What would you call a baby Notoceratops?
Dinosaurs are hatched from eggs, therefore new baby dinosaurs can be called hatchlings, just like other reptiles like turtles and crocodiles of the genus of Ornithischian.
What did they eat?
The diet of these dinosaurs primarily consists of plants that are found in rich vegetation regions like ferns, cycads, and palms.
How aggressive were they?
These dinosaurs are considered to be notoriously aggressive in the wild. They may be territorial in nature and can show aggression towards other dinosaurs who invade their territories.
Did you know...
These animals are endemic to South America.
These dinosaurs used to be ceratopsian. They belong to the genus of Ornithischian.
Paleontologist Augusto Tapia discovered the holotype in 1918 while the fossil found in Chubut was later described by Friedrich von Huene in 1929.
Why are they called Notoceratops?
The Notoceratops used to be called Notoceratops bonarelli. They are called Notoceratops which means southern horned face, for their appearance. They belong to the ceratopsian group of beaked dinosaurs found in the south which lead to its name.
How strong were Notoceratops' teeth?
The Notoceratops had extremely strong and sharp teeth. It had up to 800 teeth that were constantly being replenished. The arrangement of these teeth in groups is called batteries with each battery having 36 - 40 teeth. Most dinosaurs that belonged to this genus in South America had a large set of teeth.
Here at Kidadl, we have carefully created lots of interesting family-friendly dinosaur facts for everyone to discover!
You can even occupy yourself at home by coloring in one of our free printable Notoceratops coloring pages.
Second image by AntoninJury.
*We've been unable to source an image of Notoceratop and have used an image of Protoceratop instead. If you are able to provide us with a royalty-free image of Notoceratop, we would be happy to credit you. Please contact us at hello@kidadl.com.
