Buzz
This year has proven to be a fruitful one for fossil hunters, with some of the most incredible discoveries coming from the ceratopsians, the horned dinosaurs. While Triceratops is undeniably the most famous, there are many other genera that are equally impressive, and in some cases, even more strange and awe-inspiring in appearance than its well-known relative.
10. Eotriceratops
Eotriceratops was named in 2007, meaning “early Triceratops,” due to its resemblance to Triceratops, though it lived millions of years before it. While Triceratops is famous, the appearance of Eotriceratops—with its spiked frill, two long horns over the eyes, and a short horn on the snout—might look familiar. However, what truly sets this species apart is its immense size. According to paleontologists, Eotriceratops was the largest known ceratopsian, with a skull measuring three meters in length, roughly the size and weight of a car. The animal likely reached lengths of 9-10 meters and was heavier than a Tyrannosaurus rex. It’s thought that Eotriceratops could have been an ancestor to Triceratops, which, prior to this discovery, held the title of the largest horned dinosaur. Eotriceratops lived in Canada 68 million years ago.
9. Pachyrhinosaurus
The name Pachyrhinosaurus means “thick-nosed reptile,” referring to its unique bony growths rather than horns, which many ceratopsians had. These growths may have been used for head-butting battles. Additionally, the species sported spikes and horns along the edges of its frill, plus a singular, unicorn-like horn just behind the eyes. The shape and size of these features varied among individuals, which could have helped Pachyrhinosaurus recognize each other. Many fossils have been found, often with both adults and juveniles, suggesting that this species might have cared for its young. This dinosaur was quite large, reaching up to 8 meters in length and weighing around four tons—roughly the size of a modern elephant.
8. Medusaceratops
This ceratopsian had uniquely curved horns on its frill. It grew to about seven meters in length and was initially mistaken for another dinosaur, Albertaceratops, which is why it wasn't named until 2010. Medusaceratops means “Medusa horned face,” as its hooked horns resemble the snake-covered hair of Medusa from Greek mythology. Its specific name, “lokii,” is a tribute to Loki, the Norse god of mischief. This name choice is influenced by the paleontologist’s love of Marvel comics, where Loki is depicted wearing a horned helmet (though, in my view, Medusaceratops looks much cooler). The fossils of Medusaceratops were discovered in Montana, where it lived 77 million years ago.
7. Pentaceratops
Pentaceratops is often said to possess the largest skull of any land animal, though Torosaurus and Eotriceratops might also compete for the title. Its name, “five-horned face,” is somewhat misleading, as two of its horns are actually epijugal bones—spike-like structures found beneath the eyes, which were particularly large in Pentaceratops. Another unique feature of Pentaceratops is its heart-shaped frill, which stands more upright than those of other ceratopsians. The frill had two holes, or “fenestrae,” that were covered in skin during the dinosaur’s life. Paleontologists believe this skin was brightly colored, possibly serving to intimidate predators and challenge rivals of the same species. It is even speculated that Pentaceratops could change the color and patterns of its skin, though this is purely hypothetical. Pentaceratops fossils have been discovered in New Mexico, and it was a massive creature, reaching lengths of 8 meters and weighing up to 5.5 tons.
6. Styracosaurus
Despite being one of the more iconic dinosaurs, known since 1913, Styracosaurus remains one of the most awe-inspiring ceratopsians. It featured a formidable horn on its snout and six additional horns extending from its frill, earning it the name “spiked reptile.” Its intimidating appearance likely deterred most predators from attacking fully grown adults. Styracosaurus fossils have been uncovered in Canada, with the animal measuring around 5.5 meters in length and weighing approximately 3 tons.
5. Einiosaurus
Einiosaurus was first discovered in 1985 and named in 1995. Its name translates to “bison lizard.” Though closely related to Styracosaurus, Einiosaurus had a distinct look. It featured two long, straight horns protruding from its frill and a peculiar, flattened, forward-curving nasal horn that resembled a bottle opener. While the nasal horn likely wasn’t a powerful weapon, the straight horns on the frill would have been effective at deterring attacks from large carnivorous dinosaurs, especially those aiming to bite its neck or the back of its frill. Like Pachyrhinosaurus, Einiosaurus is thought to have lived in large herds. Its remains have been found in Montana.
4. Diabloceratops
The name Diabloceratops translates to “devil horned face,” reflecting its striking and unusual appearance. Fossils of this species were discovered in Utah. While it had a relatively small nasal horn, its brow horns were large, and the horns on top of the frill were even more prominent. These four horns, combined with its forward-curving frill, made this dinosaur stand out from other horned species. Diabloceratops appears to be a more primitive member of the ceratopsians, with some traits resembling the earlier protoceratopsids. Its powerful, robust jaws suggest it had a strong bite. Like many other ceratopsians, it's likely that it used its large beak as a weapon against predators, in addition to its horns.
3. Kosmoceratops
One of the most recent dinosaur discoveries, Kosmoceratops, rightfully claims the top spot on this list, as it had no fewer than thirteen horns! (Fifteen if you include the epijugal bones). Dubbed “the most ornate of all dinosaurs” and “one of the most incredible animals ever known,” its name translates to “ornate horned face.” This remarkable creature offers compelling evidence that dinosaurs were quite the show-offs; its forward-facing frill horns and the downward-curved brow horns likely weren't for combat or defense but rather served to intimidate rivals, scare off predators, and attract mates. Fossils of Kosmoceratops have been found in Utah, where it roamed western North America.
2. Coahuilaceratops
Closely related to Pentaceratops, Coahuilaceratops magnacuerna was discovered in the Mexican state of Coahuila. This dinosaur sported a small nasal horn, but its brow horns were enormous, measuring possibly up to one and a half meters long (though it’s impossible to measure them accurately without the keratin sheath). The creature’s name, magnacuerna, means “large horned,” and the massive horns were certainly an eye-catching feature. Initially, the media suggested Coahuilaceratops weighed a staggering 12 tons (twice the weight of a T. rex!), but the actual weight was closer to 5 tons—about the size of an elephant. This beast stretched to around 7 meters in length. Described in 2010, Coahuilaceratops quickly became one of the most exciting recent additions to the ceratopsian lineup.
1. Rubeosaurus
Rubeosaurus was once mistaken for a species of Styracosaurus. Unlike Styracosaurus, its frill horns were significantly smaller, but its nasal horn was massive, making it a formidable defense mechanism. In contrast to a rhinoceros, whose horn is made entirely of keratin (the same protein found in hair and nails), Rubeosaurus, like many other ceratopsians, had horns with a bony core covered by a keratin sheath. Since keratin does not fossilize, the horns would have appeared longer and sharper when the animal was alive than they do in fossilized specimens. Unfortunately, without the keratin covering, it's impossible to determine the precise length of these horns. Rubeosaurus also had straight horns on its frill, positioned so closely together that their tips nearly touched.
