Ceratosaurus

† Ceratosaurus ('horned lizard') was a large ceratosaurid theropod from the Late Jurassic Morrison Formation of North America and contemporaneous European deposits. Estimated at 5.5–7 m in length and approximately 500–700 kg, it is notable for the prominent nasal horn, paired brow ridges, and a row of small osteoderms along its back — unique features among theropods. A contemporaneous rival to Allosaurus in Jurassic ecosystems, it hunted large prey including sauropods, stegosaurs, and possibly fish in river environments.

Diet & Feeding

Carnivore

Ceratosaurus 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 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.