Protoceratops
Pro-toe-seh-rah-topsName meaning: First Horned Lizard
Time Period: Campanian (Late Cretaceous) 75-71 Mya
Locations: China/Mongolia - Bayan Mandahu Formation/Djadokhta Formyation
Taxonomy: Ornithischia-Cerapoda-Ceratopsia-Protoceratopsidae
Subspecies: P. Andrewsi P. Hellenikorhinus
Characteristics ~ ~ ~ ~
Protoceratops was one of the smaller ceratopsians of the Cretaceous, only growing to around 5-6 feet long and around 200 pounds. It also had a longer than average tail compared to other ceratopsians with tall vertebrae that likely helped it paddle through water. And is often interpreted with quill like structures on the top off its tail although there is no direct proof of this it can be speculated that it shared this trait with its Jurassic relative Psittacosaurus. Being lightweight did have its advantages; for instance, it could rear up on its hind legs for intimidation. Other members of Protoceratopsidae are Bagaceratops, Magnirostris, Gobiceratops, Lamaceratops, and Aikaceratops. Protoceratops has been proposed to be a burrower using its back legs and nose horn to dig burrows for shelter for and possibly covering the entrance with its frill. Protoceratops took around 10 years to reach maturity with most juveniles trying to stick around adults in social groups for protection from the predators in the area like Velociraptor Linheraptor, Linhenykus, oviraptorids, and troodontids.
History & Fossils ~ ~ ~ ~
Henry Fairfield Osborn believed that most species including humans, were derived from Central Asia. Leading Roy Chapman Andrews to go on expeditions to find ancient human ancestors, there weren't many results. But there were plenty of dinosaurs discovered, including in 1922 the juvenile skull of Protoceratops Andrewsi. Later other species would be found like Saurornithoides, Velociraptor, and Oviraptor which was believed to be stealing a clutch of Protoceratops eggs giving it it’s name. In 2001 Oliver Lambert with colleagues named the second still valid species P. Hellenikorhinus meaning greek nosed because of it’s large angular nose horn reminded them of the chiseled noses of Greek statues. P Hellenikorhinus larger nose had two notches as the species also has a differently shaped frill. Over 100 specimens of Protoceratops have been found many of which having remarkable quality with many juviniles also known for this species.
Media Deptictions ~ ~ ~ ~
Jurassic World Alive Protoceratops was added in version 3.8 with it’s own unique animation set, not just being the ceratopsian set but smaller. I like it’s counter attack animation where it kicks dirt at it’s opponent. Protoceratops has 2 very powerful hybrids Protonodon = Bajatonodon + Protoceratops and Proto Lux Protonodon + Crichtomoloch. I don't know where the lux trait came from, I think they were just out of Ideas.
Prehistoric Kingdom
