Triceratops: Largest, Heaviest and Most Common Horned Dinosaur

When an odd pair of horns was excavated at the high plains east of the Rocky Mountains in the 1880s, paleontologists thought they had found the remains of a prehistoric bison. What they really discovered were two of the three horns of Triceratops, a dinosaur that holds three records among all horned dinosaurs. It was the largest, heaviest and, in its time, most common ceratopsid. These were four-legged, plant-eating dinosaurs characterized by broad, bony frills and well-developed brow horns.

Large Skull, Small Brain

Massive Triceratops could weigh up to six tons and, unlike some dinosaurs whose heads were much smaller than their bodies, this dinosaur’s head was mighty big. The head alone was as long as an adult human. While brain tissue does not exist for any dino, researchers can use existing skulls to estimate brain size and shape. Based on such studies, the Triceratops brain was about the same size as a human fist, suggesting the dinosaur did not have very acute senses and wasn’t the brightest of beasts. Nevertheless, it was adept at fending for itself, using its scissorlike  teeth to slice through vegetation.

Frill

The bony neck frill on Triceratops could extend to over 6.5 feet in width. Several theories have been proposed for its function. Some scientists think the frill protected the dinosaur’s vulnerable neck area against predators. Tyrannosaurus bite marks observed within frill remains, however, suggest it wasn’t always successful in deterring attackers. Other researchers suspect it helped to regulate body temperature, while still other paleontologists theorize it was used in mating displays and in helping the dinosaur to identify members of its species.

Horns

Triceratops horn fossils look impressive enough. In real life, though, its horns were much sturdier weapons. Antler-like material would have covered the existing cores, making them much longer and sharper. The dinosaur could gore or impale carnivore rivals with its short nose horn or its two long brow horns, which jutted out over each eye. If that didn’t scare away the threat, Triceratops might have pecked at the assailant with its toothless, yet pointy, beak.

Rhino and Elephant Comparisons

Triceratops somewhat resembled today’s elephants and rhinoceroses. Its girth was comparable to that of an elephant and it too possessed heavy legs. Like a rhino, it had short, broad feet with padded toes to help cushion the weight as it pounded the dirt. It’s possible Triceratops lived the rhino lifestyle as well, by munching on plants most of the time and then putting its horns into action whenever predators approached.