STYRACOSAURUS Meaning and
Definition
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Styracosaurus, derived from the Greek words "styrax" meaning spike and "sauros" meaning lizard, is a genus of herbivorous dinosaur that lived approximately 75 to 76 million years ago during the Late Cretaceous period. It falls under the classification of ceratopsid dinosaurs, which were characterized by their elaborate skull adornments and frills.
This dinosaur stood on four sturdy legs and exhibited a length of about 17 to 20 feet and a height of around 6 to 7 feet at the shoulder. However, the most distinctive feature of the styracosaurus is its skull, which boasted a centrally positioned horn and several long, sharp spikes protruding from its frill. These spikes extended in a forward direction, creating a fearsome appearance. Despite its menacing appearance, the styracosaurus used these spikes mainly for defense against potential predators and for intraspecific combat during mating seasons.
Typically, this dinosaur inhabited the vast regions of western North America, covering the present-day locations of Alberta, Canada, and Montana, USA. Its preferred habitat consisted of coastal plains and floodplains, where it grazed on low-lying vegetation such as ferns and cycads.
Styracosaurus fossils have been discovered in great numbers, making it one of the most well-known ceratopsids. Through the examination of these fossils, paleontologists have gleaned valuable insights into the behavior, anatomy, and evolution of this remarkable dinosaur, shedding light on the prehistoric world it inhabited and the role it played within ancient ecosystems.
Common Misspellings for STYRACOSAURUS
- atyracosaurus
- ztyracosaurus
- xtyracosaurus
- dtyracosaurus
- etyracosaurus
- wtyracosaurus
- sryracosaurus
- sfyracosaurus
- sgyracosaurus
- syyracosaurus
- s6yracosaurus
- s5yracosaurus
- sttracosaurus
- stgracosaurus
- sthracosaurus
- sturacosaurus
- st7racosaurus
- st6racosaurus
- styeacosaurus
Etymology of STYRACOSAURUS
The word "Styracosaurus" is derived from the Ancient Greek words "styrax" (meaning "spike" or "styrax resin") and "sauros" (meaning "lizard"). The name was coined by American paleontologist Lawrence Lambe in 1913 when he discovered and described the dinosaur species. The name refers to the distinctive frill and horn structure found on the head of Styracosaurus, resembling spiked formations.
Similar spelling words for STYRACOSAURUS
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