Triceratops Occipital Condyle

The Triceratops, lived during the Late Cretaceous period, approximately 68 to 66 million years ago. This herbivorous species is distinguished by its large body, strong legs, and three prominent facial horns - one on the nose and one above each eye. The most striking feature of Triceratops is its large skull, which includes a solid frill at the back. This frill, combined with the horns, was likely used for defense against predators, such as Tyrannosaurus rex , as well as for display and species recognition among other Triceratops. Fossil evidence indicates that these dinosaurs could grow up to 30 feet in length and weigh between 6 to 12 tons. Their teeth were arranged in groups that formed a constantly replaced battery, ideal for their diet of fibrous plants. Triceratops fossils are among the most abundant for any dinosaur, making it a key species for understanding the Late Cretaceous period.