Leptoceratops Dinosaur is an ancient genus of ceratopsid dinosaur that lived during the late Cretaceous period. This herbivorous dinosaur was discovered in 1933 by the American paleontologist Charles W. Gilmore. It was the first ceratopsid dinosaur to be discovered in North America. Leptoceratops was a small-bodied ceratopsid, measuring around 3 meters in length. Its distinct skull was small, flat and triangular with a prominent nose horn.
This adaptation likely helped protect Leptoceratops from predators. The physical features of Leptoceratops were typical of other dinosaurs in its family, such as the rhinoceros-like beak. Its nostrils were located on top of its head, just above the eyes, while its long jaw was closely aligned with its neck. Its front limbs were short, but it had long powerful back limbs, suggesting an agile animal.
Leptoceratops Facts :
| Name: | Leptoceratops Dinosaurs |
| Size: | 3 meters |
| Main Facts: | Leptoceratops is an ancient genus of ceratopsid dinosaur that lived during the late Cretaceous period. |
Leptoceratops's diet mainly included low-lying plants. It used its beak and its short claws to harvest its food. Its dentition was similar to other ceratopsids, with its numerous, closely set teeth specialized for slicing and grinding vegetation. Unlike its other relatives, such as the Triceratops, Leptoceratops had no defence capabilities, but it did have its prominent horn, which could have been used to frighten potential predators.
Leptoceratops fossil remains are very abundant in North America, particularly in Alberta and Montana. This is likely due to the fact that this dinosaur roamed the area. Its fossils have even been found in Mongolia and Ukraine. Leptoceratops is considered an important member of the family of large ceratopsids, as it was the first ceratopsid dinosaur to be discovered in North America.
