| Name | Protoceratops | Diet | Herbivorous |
| Name Meaning | “First Horned Face” | Height | 0.91 to 1.2 meters (3 to 4 ft.) |
| Pronunciation | pro-toe-ser-ah-tops | Length | 2 to 2.5m (6.6 to 8.2 ft.) |
| Era | Mesozoic – Late Cretaceous | Weight | 62 to 104 kgs. (137 to 229 lbs.) |
| Classification | Dinosauria, Ornithischia, & Ceratopsia | Location | East Asia (Mongolia) |
Protoceratops Pictures
The Protoceratops
The Protoceratops is a genus of protoceratopsid, that inhabited Asia during the Late Cretaceous period around 75 to 71 million years ago.
Protoceratops was discovered in the 1920s, found in the Gobi Desert within Mongolia, in the Djadochta Formation.
Originally, the Protoceratops were thought to be early ancestors of the Anklyosaurians, but further research suggested these dinosaurs were more likely an earlier evolution of the Bagoceratops.
The Protoceratops is one of the more common dinosaurs found in Asia, and there have been more than 100 different fossil specimens found throughout history.
Important findings of near-complete specimens and fossils preserved interacting with other dinosaurs are why protoceratops have been such an important species in Paleontology.
Not only have the fossils helped paleontologists learn more about Ceratopsians, but they have provided lots of insights into the dinosaurs, and ecology of Asia during the Late Cretaceous period.
This article will cover everything you’d want to know about the Protoceratops, including things like where they lived, how they looked, and the ways they interacted with their prehistoric environments.
Due to the large amount of fossils discovered, scientists have been able to study these dinosaurs in-depth, and their remains have also been extremely beneficial in learning about other extinct dinosaurs.
Physical Characteristics
While a smaller Ceratopsian, Protceratops had many of the traits those dinosaurs were known for like their beaked face, large heads with a frill, and quadrupedal walking.
There are currently two accepted species of Protoceratops, which are P. andrewsi and P. hellenikorhinus.
The teeth, horns, and size of the snout are how these two species are distinguished.
Protoceratops had an estimated length between 2 to 2.5 meters (6.6 to 8.2 ft.), and had a weight between 62 to 104 kgs (137 to 229 lbs).
The skull of this dinosaur ranged between 50 to 70 cm (19.6 to 27.5 in.), and near the rear of their heads had a frill, which would vary in size depending on the individual.
The head of Protoceratops looked very large compared to its body, and the legs in their front were as long as their back ones to support their large skulls.
These dinosaurs had tails that had a sail on them that could have been used for display or to swim.
Their feet were flat, and wide, helping them dig and burrow in sandy environments.
Habitat and Distribution
Asia during the Cretaceous period in the Campanian age is when the Protoceratops lived, dating to around 85 to 75 million years ago.
These dinosaurs were discovered in Mongolia within the Djadochta Formation, and have been one of the most common fossils found within the Gobi Desert.
The Gobi Desert during the Early Cretaceous period went through several stages, and was filled with many prehistoric species and plants that are now extinct.
The time of the Protoceratops the Gobi desert was a dry, arid environment with lots of sand dunes.
Water sources in the area were short lived, and there would be short periods of humidity.
Protoceratops’ small size, and feet which helped them dig were adaptations they gained to survive the prehistoric desert habitat.
Later in the Cretaceous period the Gobi desert had dense conifer forests, with lots of streams, and other freshwater sources like lakes.
Behavior and Diet
The Protoceratops was a small herbivore, and the several fossils found of this dinosaur allowed paleontologists to take a further look at how they ate.
They had coarse teeth and a beak to help them with feeding, and shearing through vegetation.
While it is believed these dinosaurs were herbivores, their teeth, beak, and strong jaw muscles suggested they were equipped to eat meat, much like animals today like parrots.
The majority of Protoceratops diet was likely made up of low shrubs, trees, and angiosperms that began to appear in the later Cretaceous.
Eating meat would have been very rare for the Protoceratops.
If there was little food, and meat became available to them despite relying on plants, they could have eaten some meat, much like modern herbivores like cows.
Protoceratops lived together in large herds and grazed together.
Their claws helped dig out food from the ground, and they also ate most low-lying plants they were capable of reaching.
Life Cycle
Several specimens found of Protoceratops have allowed paleontologists to examine the life cycles of these dinosaurs much better than other species.
Protoceratops like all dinosaurs start out in eggs, but originally eggs found thought to be of Protoceratops were actually eggs from the Oviraptor.
Studies done on the specimens of the American Museum of Natural History suggested these dinosaurs reached full growth at around 10 years of age, and had a lifespan of around 13 years.
The neck frills of Protoceratops varied by each individual, and would continue to grow as they aged.
When juveniles were actually able to walk on two legs, similar to their earlier ancestors.
Running on two legs when young would help them reach faster speeds, and allowed them to run longer.
2011 is when the first Protoceratops nest was found, and evidence suggests these dinosaurs cared for their young at the nest for a while after their young had hatched.
Younger and older Protoceratops would be very at risk to predators, but living in large groups helped these dinosaurs survive.
The large eyes of this species gave the Protoceratops binocular vision, and evidence suggests they had a nocturnal lifestyle.
Evolution and History
Protoceratops were discovered in the 1920s, within Mongolia in the Gobi desert discovered on an expedition led by Roy Chapmans Andrews.
These dinosaurs evolved from smaller bipedal Ceratopsians, and lack the size and horns seen in later Ceratopsians.
There have been a few undescribed dinosaurs found in the Djadochta Formation that have traits of the Bagoceratops, and Protoceratops, suggesting these two dinosaurs were closely related in lineage.
As Ceratopsians evolved they grew to have larger frills, and lost the ability to walk on two legs entirely.
It is not known when the Protoceratops went extinct but it is thought they were killed when the Chicxulub asteroid hit, or could have been outcompeted by other dinosaurs.
The change that occurred in Mongolia during the Cretaceous period to a more humid and forested habitat also could have been the cause for this species extinction.
Interactions with Other Species
Protoceratops were a very common dinosaur in their environment, and have the nickname the “Sheep of the Mesozoic”, due to their abundance.
These dinosaurs were used as food for theropods like Velociraptors, and other carnivores.
“The Fighting Dinosaurs” fossilization is one of the most famous examples of how the Protoceratops interacted with other species like the Velociraptor.
“The Fighting Dinosaurs” is a fossilization of a Velociraptor, and Protoceratops locked together in a fighting position, with the Protoceratops biting the Velociraptor with its strong beak.
The two fighting dinosaurs likely died due to quicksand, or another swamp-like body of water, but it helped show how the Protoceratops would defend itself.
Along with the Velociraptor, other dinosaurs that lived alongside Protoceratops include:
- Oviraptors
- Wulatelong
- Linheraptor
- Philovenator
- Bagoceratops
- Papiliovenator
- Machairasaurus
Like other ceratopsian dinosaurs, the Protoceratops played an important role in their ecosystem by being one of the most abundant food sources for carnivorous animals.
Living in such large herds protected them, and this dinosaur is in similar positions to animals today like gazelles, sheep, and goats.
Cultural Significance
Due to the large amounts of fossil evidence found of Protoceratops these dinosaurs have been essential in learning about the lifecycle of Ceratopsians and how they evolved throughout Earth’s history before going extinct.
The Protoceratops was described in the 1920s, and there have been countless specimens found.
Mythical creatures seen in folklore and certain cultures have been inspired by dinosaur bones, as in the past humans could only imagine the types of animals that left behind such beastly bones.
Studies done in the past by Adrienne Mayor suggested that bones of fossils from dinosaurs like Protoceratops were the inspiration of some mythical creatures like the griffin.
While it is not known exactly what inspired some mythical creatures, the bones of animals from Protoceratops have been very common, and inspired amazement in Asia.
Even today Protoceratops still brings people wonder, and they have been featured in games Jurassic Park, and can be seen at attractions like Carnegie Museum.
Protoceratops is one of the best preserved types of dinosaurs, and the countless fossil discoveries have helped paleontologists further their research.
Conclusion
Found first in the early 1900s, there have been more than a hundred specimens found of Protoceratops.
These dinosaurs lived across the Gobi Desert and were one of the most common dinosaurs in their time period.
Several in-depth studies of Protoceratops have occurred, which take a look at their reproduction, life cycle, and how they could have evolved into other dinosaurs.
Since paleontologists had so many specimens to compare they were able to figure out how single dinosaurs of the same genus can differ, and ways sexes can differ.
With around 300 different genera of dinosaurs discovered, Protoceratops managed to survive with some of Earth’s deadliest predators like Velociraptors, and Tsaagan.
Compared to some of the more rare fossil specimens, it has been one of the most well preserved, and studied, but with all dinosaurs new information is always being uncovered about them.
FAQS
Did Protoceratops have feathers?
Skin fossils of the Protoceratops showed they had scaly skin, but these dinosaurs also had tufts of feathers located on their tail.
Feathers could have been located in other places on this dinosaur, and possible uses for them would be to keep warm and used to attract mates.
Further fossil evidence and studies can allow paleontologists to better understand the feathers this dinosaur had.
Why were Protoceratops so common?
Fossils from the Protoceratops have been very abundant across the Gobi Desert, and there have been several specimens that were nearly complete.
The smaller size of these dinosaurs, their large population, and the sandy environment they lived in allowed for fossilization to occur easier than in other dinosaurs.
Sandy environments can cause fossilization since animals can die in sand storms, and their bodies will remain untouched for long periods of time.
Fossilization is extremely rare and requires the right conditions for animals to be preserved, but some species are more common than others.
Why were Protoceratops so small compared to other Ceratopsians?
Compared to other Ceratopsians the Protoceratops is much smaller, and this is mainly due to the semi-arid desert habitats these dinosaurs lived in.
Animals that live in deserts typically evolve to be smaller, since these habitats have less food, and water available.
Protoceatops did not need large sizes to defend themselves since many of the predators they faced were also smaller in size, and they had protection in the large numbers they lived in.
Sources:
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fighting_Dinosaurs
- https://eartharchives.org/articles/dinosaurs-of-the-gobi-desert/index.html
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6657679/
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4423778/
- https://www.researchgate.net/figure/Size-categories-of-specimens-of-Protoceratops-andrewsi-used-in-this-study-Right-to-left_fig1_320543525
- https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0031018210001562
- https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0126464
- https://peerj.com/articles/7324/
- https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1111/j.1502-3931.1992.tb01379.x
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