Name:
Ceratosaurus (Greek for "horned lizard"); pronounced ser-AT-oh-SORE-us
Habitat:
Swamps of southern North America
Historical Period:
Late Jurassic (150-145 million years ago)
Size and Weight:
About 15 feet long and 1 ton
Diet:
Meat, fish and reptiles
Distinguishing Characteristics:
Row of bony plates on back; small horns on head; sharp teeth
About Ceratosaurus:
Ceratosaurus is one of those Jurassic carnivores that gives paleontologists fits: although it bore a distinct resemblance to other bipedal predators (including Allosaurus and T. Rex), it also had some anatomical quirks--such as the line of bony plates along its back--that weren't shared by any other theropods. For this reason, Ceratosaurus is usually assigned to its own infraorder, ceratosauria.
Whatever its classification, it's clear that Ceratosaurus was a fierce predator, gobbling up pretty much anything it came across--fish, aquatic reptiles, and other dinosaurs. Its marine diet may be explained by the fact that Ceratosaurus had a more flexible tail than other carnivores, allowing it to swim with more agility.
