
Overview
Protoceratops andrewsi was a small, herbivorous ceratopsian dinosaur from the Late Cretaceous period, approximately 75 to 71 million years ago. Fossils have been predominantly found in the Gobi Desert of Mongolia, where it lived alongside other dinosaurs like Velociraptor.
Protoceratops was relatively small, measuring about 6 feet (1.8 meters) in length and weighing around 400 pounds (180 kg). It had a distinctive frill at the back of its skull and a parrot-like beak, which it used to crop vegetation.
Quick Facts
Diet
Herbivore (plants, leaves, and shrubs)
Speed
~10 mph (estimated)
Weight
~400 lbs (180 kg)
Length
~6 ft (1.8 m)
Defense
Frill and beak for protection
Discovery & Significance
Protoceratops was first discovered in 1922 during an expedition to the Gobi Desert led by Roy Chapman Andrews of the American Museum of Natural History. Its name means “first horned face,” reflecting its position as an early member of the ceratopsian family, which later included giants like Triceratops.
One of the most famous Protoceratops fossils is the “Fighting Dinosaurs” specimen, which captures a Protoceratops locked in combat with a Velociraptor. This fossil provides valuable insights into the behavior and interactions of these dinosaurs.
Physical Characteristics
Protoceratops had a large skull relative to its body size, with a bony frill extending from the back of its head. While it lacked the large horns of later ceratopsians, it had a robust beak and cheek teeth adapted for chewing tough vegetation. Its frill may have served as a display structure or for protection against predators.
Fossilized nests and eggs have also been discovered, indicating that Protoceratops cared for its young. These nests provide evidence of social behavior and nesting habits in ceratopsians.