The Gryphoceratops was a genus of ceratopsian dinosaurs that lived in present-day Canada during the Upper Cretaceous period, about 83 million years ago. It was a member of the family Leptoceratopsidae, which includes some of the earliest and most primitive ceratopsians. While it was one of the oldest leptoceratopsids, it was also one of the most advanced and among the last of its kind before the mass extinction that ended the Cretaceous period.
Key Facts
| Domain | Description |
|---|---|
| Gryphoceratops pronunciation | Griff-oh-seh-rah-tops |
| What does Gryphoceratops mean? | Griffin horned face |
| Dinosaur type | Ceratops |
| On the menu | Herbivore |
| Length | 1.6 feet (0.5 meters) |
| Height | 0.7 feet (0.2 meters) |
| Weight | 7 lb (3 kg) |
| Life expectancy | Unknown |
| Legs used to get around | Quadrupedal |
| Estimated top speed | Unknown |
| When they lived | Upper Cretaceous |
| Where they have been found? | Canada |
When & Where
The Gryphoceratops was a small ceratopsian dinosaur that lived during the Late Cretaceous period. It was closely related to other small ceratopsians such as Psittacosaurus and Changchunsaurus. The Gryphoceratops was first described in 2012, based on lower jaw bone remains recovered from the Milk River Formation in Alberta, Canada.
Size & Weight
The Gryphoceratops was a really small creature—probably the smallest of leptoceretopsians. It’s thought to have only reached a length of 1.6 feet and a weight of 7 lb.
Mobility & Diet
The Gryphoceratops was a four-legged creature that likely moved by hopping. It was a timid creature, often running away from predators due to its small size. It had excellent vision and hearing, which helped it to avoid danger.
Regarding diet, the it was a herbivore that likely fed on low-growing plants. It probably used its beak to bite off pieces of vegetation.
Interesting Points
- The Gryphoceratops was a small ceratopsian dinosaur that lived during the Late Cretaceous period.
- It was closely related to the better-known Triceratops and may have been its direct ancestor.
- The Unescosaurus was another small leptoceratopsid that was discovered along with the Gryphoceratops.
Featured Image Credit: Michael Ryan, Cleveland Museum of Natural History