Bravoceratops are large ceratops that were known as the wild horned dinosaur. This plant-eater is in the subfamily of Ceratopsidae, which is the Chasmosaurines.
Key Facts
| Domain | Description |
|---|---|
| Bravoceratops pronunciation | bravo-cera-tops’. |
| What does Bravoceratops mean? | The name Bravoceratops was named after Rio Bravo del norte and also came from the Greek words, “keras” meaning horn and “ops” for face. While its species name “polyphemus” is based on the one-eyed jumbo son of Thoosa and Poseidon in Greek mythology. |
| Dinosaur type | Ceratops- Chasmosaurines |
| On the menu | Herbivore |
| Length | 26 ft to 30 ft (7.9 m to 9.0 m) |
| Height | 9.5 ft to 9.8 ft (2.9 m to 3.0 m) |
| Weight | 5450 kg to 7260 kg (12 000 lbs to 16 000 lbs) |
| Life expectancy | The lifespan of Bravoceratops is unknown. |
| Legs used to get around | Quadrupedal |
| Estimated top speed | Unfortunately, there’s no data that shows the exact or even an estimation of their speed. |
| When they lived | They existed about 70 million years ago from the Campanian Age to the Maastrichtian age of the Late Cretaceous period. |
| Where they have been found? | Bravoceratops were known to be migratory and moved depending on seasons. They are native along the coast of Asia and North America during the rainy season then they will transfer inland during dry summer seasons. Migrating was also their protective move against their predators (Tyrannosaurids). |
When & Where
The researchers from the U.S. National Park Service and Texas Tech University revealed Bravoceratops as a new species of horned dinosaur on June 01, 2013. It was discovered in Big Bend National Park. Prior to that, Steven L. Wick and Thomas M. Lehman was able to make an initial discovery, 2 years ago. They recovered portions of the giant skull.
Size & Weight
Based on the studies, it is assumed that Bravoceratops weighed approximately 12 000 kg to 16 000 kg. It was also found that it is 26 ft to 30 ft in length and 2.9 m to 3.0 m tall.
Mobility & Diet
This dinosaur is said to be a herbivore and was used in digesting high-fiber plant materials. They were mainly fed with cycads, ferns, palm trees and other vegetation. Though they were plant eaters, it is assumed that they are dominant herbivores. The curved horns and frills are for protection against predators and for survival. Evidence shows their aggressiveness during interaction with Tyrannosaurus.
Interesting Points
- It is assumed that the Bravoceratops became extinct in the mass extinction because of comet collision.
- It is known to be the last-known non-avian dinosaur genera.
- Lehman found out that they have sexual dimorphism, where the sexes of the same species show different characteristics.
- Bravoceratops were from the Javelina formation in Texas, United States.
- There’s only one geological site in the Javelina formation that provided the most appropriate rock types for the radiometric dating for the discovery.
- It was built from claystone, conglomerate, mudstone, sandstone and siltstone.
- Bravoceratops were retrieved in the lower part of the Javelina Formation (early Maastrichtian stage).