How Does a Centrosaurus Differ From Triceratops?
The Triceratops is one of the most well-known herbivorous dinosaurs, but it was just one member of the ceratopsian family. Other beasts, like the Centrosaurus, were also members and shared key features such as a beaked face, frill, and horns. However, if you saw the two species side by side, you wouldn’t mistake a Centrosaurus for a Triceratops or vice versa due to some key features. Ahead, we explore how a Centrosaurus differs from a Triceratops.
Their Horns
What makes the Centrosaurus stand out is the fact that its nose horn is much larger than the two above its eyes. While the exact purpose of this feature remains uncertain, some scientists hypothesize that the Centrosaurus used its nose horn for defense against predators or in competition during mating.
On the other hand, the Triceratops’ largest horns were right above its eyes. Similar to the Centrosaurus, which also had a horn above its mouth, this horn was much smaller on the Triceratops. Some Triceratops fossils have puncture wounds along the frill, indicating that they may have used their horns to battle when attracting a mate.
Their Frill
It’s also worth noting that while all ceratopsians had a frill, the Centrosaurus’ was much smaller and more ornamented than the Triceratops’ frill. Alternatively, the Triceratops had a broad horn that was much plainer.
While the exact purpose of a frill is unknown, many scientists suspect that ceratopsians had it for species recognition. The differences in frill could help the dinosaurs within the group distinguish one another.
Their Size
Evaluating the size of both beasts also gives us a better idea of how different they were. In a side-by-side comparison, the Centrosaurus would be noticeably smaller, as it was only around 18 to 20 feet long and weighed two tons. The Triceratops was 26 to 30 feet long and weighed six to 12 tons.
When and Where They Lived
Another difference between the Centrosaurus and Triceratops is where and when both species lived. The Centrosaurus lived in what is now Alberta, Canada, while the Triceratops lived in Montana, Wyoming, and South Dakota.
Moreover, both species lived during different times during the Late Cretaceous period. While the Centrosaurus lived 76 to 75 million years ago in the Late Campanian stage, the Triceratops lived 68 to 66 million years ago during the Maastrichtian stage. These disparities mean the species could not have interacted with one another.
Collect Your Favorite Figures
While the Centrosaurus and Triceratops may not have crossed paths in real life, you can introduce them both in your dinosaur action figure collection. Creative Beast Studio’s Beasts of the Mesozoic Ceratopsian collectibles include many beloved members of the ceratopsian family, including the Triceratops and Centrosaurus. Find your favorite dinosaur figures to show off on your shelf.
