Ceratopsipes goldenensis

† Ceratopsipes goldenensis is a ceratopsian dinosaur ichnotaxon from the Late Cretaceous of Golden, Colorado, United States. As an ichnogenus, it is defined entirely by fossilized ceratopsid footprints rather than body fossils. The broad, rounded tracks display the characteristic four-toed front foot and three-toed hind foot pattern of large ceratopsians. These traces provide direct evidence of large-bodied horned dinosaur activity in the Late Cretaceous of the Colorado Front Range, complementing the skeletal record.

Diet & Feeding

Herbivore

Ceratopsipes goldenensis 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 Late Mesozoic Era

Ceratopsipes goldenensis lived during the Cretaceous Late period of the Mesozoic Era, approximately 100.5 to 66.0 million years ago.

The final age of dinosaurs, featuring iconic species like Tyrannosaurus rex, Triceratops, and Velociraptor. Dinosaurs reached their peak diversity before the catastrophic asteroid impact at the Chicxulub crater ended the Mesozoic Era.