Ceratosaurus

NPS/Bob Walters Tess Kissinger

 

Ceratosaurus is a genus of carnivorous theropod dinosaur from the Late Jurassic Morrison Formation. It is known from the Carnegie Quarry at Dinosaur National Monument from a single bone, a premaxilla. This bone is diagnostic for Ceratosaurus because, unlike other Morrison Formation theropods, Ceratosaurus has only three teeth in its premaxilla. Much rarer than its contemporary Allosaurus, the top of its snout was adorned with a crest, formed from its nasal bone.

 

Ceratosaurus Facts

Ceratosaurus is Greek for “horned lizard."
Ceratosaurus is the only known meat-eating dinosaur that had a horn.
Ceratosaurus estimated adult size: 18 feet long weighing 1-1.5 tons.