Ceratosaurus nasicornis

† Ceratosaurus nasicornis is the type species of Ceratosaurus from the Late Jurassic Morrison Formation of Colorado and Utah, United States. First described by Othniel Charles Marsh in 1884 from a remarkably complete skeleton, it is one of the best-known Jurassic carnivores. Its blade-like nasal horn ('nasicornis' = nose-horned), laterally compressed teeth, and row of dermal scutes along the spine distinguish it from all other known theropods. It hunted large vertebrates alongside Allosaurus and Torvosaurus in the Morrison ecosystem.

Diet & Feeding

Carnivore

Ceratosaurus nasicornis was a meat-eating predator. Carnivorous dinosaurs were active hunters or scavengers, equipped with sharp teeth and claws for catching and consuming prey. They occupied the top of the food chain in their ecosystems.

Time Period

Jurassic Late Mesozoic Era

Ceratosaurus nasicornis lived during the Jurassic Late period of the Mesozoic Era, approximately 161.5 to 145.0 million years ago.

One of the most iconic periods for dinosaurs. Giant sauropods like Brachiosaurus and Diplodocus roamed alongside predators like Allosaurus. Archaeopteryx, the earliest known bird, appeared. The Morrison Formation preserves an extraordinary fossil record from this time.