**Archaeoceratops**
Archaeoceratops is an extinct type of dinosaur that lived during the Early Cretaceous period, about 125 million years ago. This dinosaur was discovered in north central China.
The name **Archaeoceratops** means “ancient horned face.” Even though its name suggests it had horns, Archaeoceratops did not have any horns. Instead, it had a large head and a small bony frill at the back of its head.
**Size**
This little dinosaur was about 0.9 meters long, which is around the length of a small dog. It weighed around 10 kilograms, similar to a big house cat. Archaeoceratops walked on two legs, making it a bipedal dinosaur.
**Discovery**
The first type of Archaeoceratops, called **A. oshimai**, was named by scientists Dong Zhiming and Azuma in 1997. It was the first of its kind to be found in its area. The main fossil, which scientists call the type specimen, included parts of its skull, spine, pelvis, and a hind foot. Another specimen, a little smaller than the first, was also discovered.
**Classification**
Archaeoceratops belongs to a group of dinosaurs known as **Ceratopsia**. This group includes several herbivorous dinosaurs that are known for their beak-like mouths. Archaeoceratops is part of a family called **Archaeoceratopsidae**. Other dinosaurs, such as Helioceratops, also belong to this family.
**Diet**
As a plant-eater, Archaeoceratops fed on the types of plants that were common during its time. This included ferns, cycads, and conifer trees. It used its sharp beak to snip off leaves and chop them up before eating.
Archaeoceratops provides us with insight into the variety of dinosaurs that roamed the Earth millions of years ago, showcasing the unique adaptations of herbivorous dinosaurs during the Cretaceous period.