The Early Three-Horned Face
Eotriceratops, meaning “early three-horned face,” was a genus of ceratopsid dinosaur that lived during the Late Cretaceous period, approximately 68-66 million years ago.
| Meaning | Dawn three-horned face [Eo-tri-cera-t-ops] |
| Pronunciation | EE-oh-try-SER-uh-tops |
| When: | Late Cretaceous (about 68 million years ago) |
| Where: | North America (Canada, Alberta) |
| What: | Ceratopsian (herbivorous) |
| Weight: | Estimated around 10 metric tons |
| Length: | Approximately 9 meters (30 feet) |
| Diet: | Herbivorous (ate vegetation) |
| Discovered: | First described by Wu X.-C. and colleagues in 2007 |
It is known from fossil remains found in North America, specifically from what is now Alberta, Canada.
Eotriceratops is distinguished by its large size and three facial horns, similar to its later relative Triceratops.
It had a robust body, a bulky skull adorned with a large frill at the back, and three prominent horns on its faceāone on the nose and two above the eyes. These horns were likely used for defense against predators or for intraspecific combat.
Like other ceratopsids, Eotriceratops was a herbivorous dinosaur, feeding on vegetation such as ferns, cycads, and other plants that were abundant during the Late Cretaceous.