Bravoceratops polyphemus was a ceratopsian dinossaur which lived in modern day Texas, USA during the Late Cretaceous Period. Based only on the single discovery of a partial skull, the species has still yielded some fascinating insights.
Bravoceratops Key Facts
| Bravoceratops pronunciation | brah-vo-seh-rah-tops |
| Meaning of name | Wild horn-face |
| Group | Ceratopsia |
| Type Species | Bravoceratops polyphemus |
| Diet | Herbivore |
| When it Lived | 72.1 to 66.0 MYA |
| Period | Late Cretaceous |
| Epoch | Late Campanian to Early Maastrichtian |
| Length | 26.0 to 30.0 ft |
| Height | 9 to 10 ft |
| Weight | 5.6 to 8.0 tons |
| Mobility | Moved on four legs |
| First Discovery | 2013 by Steven Wick and Thomas Lehman |
| Location of first find | Texas, USA |
| First Described by | 2013 by Steven Wick and Thomas Lehman |
| Holotype | TMM 46015-1 |
Bravoceratops Origins Taxonomy and Timeline
The name Bravoceratops, which translates to “wild horn-face,” is derived from the Mexican name for the Rio Grande, “Rio Bravo del Norte” (wild river of the north), and the Greek words “keras” meaning “horn” and “ops” referring to the “face”.
The type species name is B. polyphemus, after a cyclops from Greek mythology. It is based on a section in its frill that is believed to have been hollowed out, giving it the appearence of cyclops.
B. polyphemus belongs to the Chasmosaurinae family of the Ceratopsia group of dinosaurs. It is believed to have lived during the Late Cretaceous period, specifically in the Maastrichtian epoch.
Fossil Evidence
The first and only discovery of fossil remains later to be descibed as Bravoceratops was made in Texas, USA by Steven L. Wick and Thomas M. Lehman in 2013. The discovery was significant as it added a new member to the Ceratopsid family, enriching our understanding of this group of dinosaurs.
The Bravoceratops is known from the holotype specimen TMM 46015-1, housed in the fossils collection of the Texas Memorial Museum, Austin, Texas. This skull consists of a number of fragments–specifically; the braincase, parts of each brow horn, the rear end of the left postorbital, assorted parts of the nasal area and horn, the jugals, quadrates and quadratojugals from each side, a section of the parietal and epiparietals, multiple parts of the dentary, and some of the right squamosal.
Bravoceratops Size and Description
B.polyphemus was a large chasmosaurine ceratopsid dinosaur, known for its distinctive horned face. Its body shape is robust, with a large head adorned with brow horns and a nasal horn. The neck supports the weight of the head, leading to a strong, sturdy body. The dinosaur’s vertebrae, limbs, and tail are all designed to support its massive size and weight. The skin, like many dinosaurs, is thought to have been rough and scaly. As for its locomotion, it is not definitively known whether the Bravoceratops moved on two or four feet.
Size and Weight of Type Species
The exact size and weight of the Bravoceratops are not known, as complete fossils have not been found. However, it can be inferred that the Bravoceratops was a large dinosaur based on the available fossil evidence. The size of the skull fragments suggests that it had a large head, which typically indicates a large body size in ceratopsid dinosaurs. The overall sizes has been estimated to have been around 26-30 feet long, 9-10 feet tall and somewhere around 5.6 to 8.0 US tons in weight.
The Bravoceratops in Detail
One of the most distinctive features of Bravoceratops was its horned face. The brow horns and nasal horn give it a threatening appearance, likely serving as a deterrent to predators. The horns may also have been used in combat with other Bravoceratops, perhaps in contests over territory or mates.
It also had a frill at the back of its head. The frill was made of bone and was likely covered in skin. The purpose of the frill is not definitively known but it may have served a defensive purpose to protect the neck from predators. It could also have been used for display, perhaps to attract mates or intimidate rivals.
The fossil evidence for this herbivorous dinosaur is limited, but each new discovery adds to our understanding of this fascinating dinosaur. The holotype specimen, for example, has provided valuable information about the dinosaur’s skull structure. Further discoveries may reveal more about Bravoceratops’s size, weight, and other physical characteristics.
The Bravoceratops in its Natural Habitat
Bravoceratops lived during the Late Cretaceous period, a time when the Earth was warm and sea levels were high. Its remaind comes from the Laramidia area–a paleocontinent consisting of what is now the western half of North America. This environment was likely lush and verdant, with a diverse array of plant life. As an herbivore, it would have relied on this vegetation for sustenance. It’s possible that it grazed on low-lying plants and shrubs and used its beak-like mouth to tear off leaves and stems.
This habitat was likely a mix of forests and open plains that provided both cover from predators and space to roam. The climate during the Late Cretaceous period was warmer than today. Therefore the Bravoceratops would have been well-adapted to a warm, possibly humid environment.
As for its behavior, it’s not definitively known whether the Bravoceratops was a solitary animal or lived in herds. However, many ceratopsid dinosaurs are thought to have been social animals that lived in groups for protection and to find food. The horns and frill could have played a role in social interactions, perhaps used in displays of dominance or to attract mates.
Interesting Points about Bravoceratops
- The name means “wild horn-face”, derived from the Mexican name for the Rio Grande, “Rio Bravo del Norte” (wild river of the north), and the Greek words “keras” meaning “horn” and “ops” referring to the “face”.
- It is known from a single specimen, including fragments of the skull and other parts of the body.
- It lived during the Late Cretaceous period, specifically the Maastrichtian epoch, which dates back to 72.1-66 million years ago.
Contemporary Dinosaurs
In the vast expanse of prehistoric time, the Bravoceratops shared its existence with a wide group of contemporaries. These diverse Laramidian dinosaurs, each unique in their own right, were integral parts of a complex symphony of survival.
Hypacrosaurus, an herbivorous dinosaur, was one such contemporary. Its was smaller than the Bravoceratops which may have reduced the natural competition for resources between these two herbivores. Kritosaurus, another herbivore, was roughly the same size as the Bravoceratops. Their coexistence provides a contrast–a tough competition for the same plant resources and a contest that would have been fascinating to observe.
Panoplosaurus, an armored dinosaur, presents a different dynamic. Its body armor would have made it a challenging adversary. This herbivore likely would have competed with our Bravoceratops as well, though its defensive strategies may have given it an advantage when avoiding predators.
The interaction between Bravoceratops and Panoplosaurus would have been a testament to the survival strategies of these magnificent creatures. Through this exploration, we gain a deeper understanding of Bravoceratops, not just as an isolated species, but as a part of a vibrant and complex ecosystem that uses many different adaptations to survive off the same resources.
List of All Dinosaurs
We have created a list of all dinosaurs we have covered here, sorted across the seven main groups of dinosaurs. We also include information about their type of diet, (omnivore, herbivore or carnivore) and the time they lived.
Frequently Asked Questions
The name translates to “wild horn-face”. It’s derived from the Mexican name for the Rio Grande, “Rio Bravo del Norte” (wild river of the north), and the Greek words “keras” meaning “horn” and “ops” referring to the “face”.
It was first discovered in the Big Bend National Park in Texas, USA within the Javelina Formation.
This dinosaur was an herbivore, meaning it ate plants plants and vegetation.
It lived during the Late Cretaceous period, specifically the Maastrichtian epoch, which dates back to 72.1-66 million years ago.
Sources
Aricle last fact checked:Joey Arboleda, 06-10-2023
Featured Image Credit: Nobu Tamura, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons