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About Triceratops:
This three-horned dinosaur--which is familiar to millions of kids in plastic toy form--has the dubious distinction of being one of the last of its breed to appear before the K/T Extinction Event wiped the dinosaurs off the face of the earth. (See more facts, figures and news about Triceratops and 10 Facts About Triceratops.)
As fearsome as it looked, Triceratops was strictly a vegetarian. Scientists think its distinctive horns may have evolved for two reasons: either for use in mating displays (i.e., the Triceratops male with the biggest, sharpest horns could beat a rival for the privilege of mating), and/or as a form of defense against larger predators like T. Rex.
A new study has shown that many of the contusions on Triceratops bones were caused by the horns of other Triceratops, indicating a role for intra-species combat as well (to defend territory or establish dominance within the herd).One reason Triceratops is so well known is because of its large, bony skull, which fossilized fairly easily (and often in one piece)--a feature it shared in common with other ceratopsians. For this reason, complete Triceratops skulls have become prized items at auction, fetching millions of dollars from wealthy bidders.
