The Horned Lizard of the Jurassic
Ceratosaurus was a fearsome predator that roamed the Earth during the Late Jurassic period, approximately 150 million years ago.
| Meaning | Horned lizard [Cerato–saurus] |
| Pronunciation | ser-AT-oh-sore-us |
| When: | Late Jurassic (about 156–145 million years ago) |
| Where: | North America, Europe (USA, Portugal) |
| What: | Theropod (carnivorous) |
| Weight: | Estimated around 500–1,000 kg (1,100–2,200 pounds) |
| Length: | Approximately 6–8 meters (20–26 feet) |
| Diet: | Carnivorous (preyed on smaller dinosaurs and other vertebrates) |
| Discovered: | First described by Othniel Charles Marsh in 1884 |
It belonged to a group of theropod dinosaurs known for their bipedal stance, sharp teeth, and, in the case of Ceratosaurus, distinctive horn-like structures on its head.
These horns, along with its robust jaws filled with serrated teeth, made Ceratosaurus a formidable hunter.
Measuring around 6 meters (20 feet) in length, Ceratosaurus had a relatively short body compared to other theropods like Tyrannosaurus rex.
Its arms were small and ended in sharp claws, while its legs were powerful and built for speed.
Ceratosaurus likely preyed upon smaller dinosaurs, as well as reptiles and mammals of its time.
Fossils of Ceratosaurus have been found in North America, particularly in the Morrison Formation, alongside other famous dinosaurs like Stegosaurus and Allosaurus.