Cerapoda

† Cerapoda was a major clade of ornithischian dinosaurs encompassing both the ceratopsians (horned dinosaurs) and ornithopods (such as Iguanodon and hadrosaurs). All cerapodans were herbivores with specialized dental and jaw structures for processing plant material. Early Cretaceous material from the United States reflects the group's deep Jurassic roots and early American diversification. Cerapoda represents one of the most ecologically successful and morphologically diverse radiations in dinosaur evolutionary history.

Diet & Feeding

Herbivore

Cerapoda was a plant-eating dinosaur. Herbivores typically fed on ferns, cycads, conifers, and other vegetation available during their era. Many herbivorous dinosaurs developed specialized teeth and digestive systems for processing tough plant material.

Time Period

Cretaceous Early Mesozoic Era

Cerapoda lived during the Cretaceous Early period of the Mesozoic Era, approximately 145.0 to 100.5 million years ago.

The Cretaceous saw continued dinosaur evolution with the rise of ornithopods and early ceratopsians. Flowering plants first appeared and began to transform terrestrial ecosystems. Spinosaurus and other large theropods lived during this time.