Ceratosaurus: The Horned Lizard of the Jurassic Period

Ceratosaurus wasn't your average dinosaur, measuring about 15 to 20 feet (4 to 6 meters) long and sporting a defining feature: a small but prominent nasal horn on its snout. The Ceratosaurus nasicornis holotype, first discovered in the late 19th century, showcased this characteristic that gave it its name, meaning "horned lizard."

Behind the horn was a ridge of hard, bony scales which ran down the Ceratosaurus' head and along its back. Researchers hypothesize that these adapted scales could have been used as armor to help protect the dinosaur from even larger Jurassic predators.

This dino's combination of sleek speed and versatility made it deadly. Unlike larger, bulkier theropods, Ceratosaurus had a long tail, powerful legs and a relatively slender frame, making it a swift and agile hunter.

Its upper jaw was lined with sharp, serrated teeth perfect for slicing through meat, and fossil evidence suggests that it may have hunted aquatic prey like fish and crocodiles, as well as scavenging or preying on larger plant-eating dinosaurs.

The story of Ceratosaurus is as exciting as the dinosaur itself. The first Ceratosaurus skeleton was discovered in Dinosaur National Monument, Utah, in the late 1800s, but its classification has sparked debate for over a century. Originally, Ceratosaurus was considered a single species.

However, over time, scientists discovered variations in the fossils, leading to the identification of Ceratosaurus magnicornis and Ceratosaurus dentisulcatus as potentially distinct species in the same lineage. Although initially discovered in the western United States, specimens thought to belong to Ceratosaurus have been unearthed as far east as Portugal.

Separate authors classified Ceratosaurus in different ways, sometimes as part of a broader theropod group and other times as a more isolated lineage. Analyses considered Ceratosaurus as belonging to its own genus of theropods. This distinct group gained ground during the late Jurassic period and lived alongside other blood drunk predators like Allosaurus.

One theory from paleontologist Oliver Rauhut grouped Ceratosaurus with other horned theropods, while some researchers argued it was part of a unique evolutionary path that excludes Ceratosaurus from closely related theropods like the tyrannosaurs.

Through it all, the Natural History Museum and other institutions have continued studying Ceratosaurus fossils to better understand its place in the dinosaur family tree. This evolving understanding shows how vertebrate paleontology is always discovering new layers (or fossils!) of knowledge.

Ceratosaurus wasn’t just another predator; it was a dynamic and opportunistic hunter. While many Jurassic predators focused on large herbivores, Ceratosaurus attacks may have targeted a mix of prey. It likely hunted both land-based and aquatic animals, showing remarkable adaptability for survival.

Some studies even suggest that Ceratosaurus wasn't shy about taking on big risks. Its serrated teeth and strong jaws allowed it to tear into tough hides, whether that was from plant-eating dinosaurs or scavenged carcasses through passive feeding.

We created this article in conjunction with AI technology, then made sure it was fact-checked and edited by a HowStuffWorks editor.