Spinops is an extinct genus of dinosaur that lived during the Late Cretaceous period, about 76.5 million years ago. This dinosaur was found in Alberta, Canada.
Spinops belonged to a group called ceratopsians, known for their unique horns and frills on their heads. It was a medium-sized dinosaur, reaching around 4.5 meters long, which is roughly the same length as a small bus. It weighed about 1.3 metric tons, similar to a large car.
**Discovery and Naming**
The fossils of Spinops were first discovered in 1916 by a fossil hunter named Charles Hazelius Sternberg and his son, Levi. They found some partial skull bones near the Red Deer River in Alberta.
These fossils were later sent to the Natural History Museum in London, where they were put away and not studied for many years. Some scientists even thought they were not worth much!
In 2011, a team of paleontologists led by Andrew Farke revisited these fossils. They realized that Spinops represented a new species of dinosaur called Spinops sternbergorum.
The name “Spinops” comes from Latin and Greek words meaning “spine” and “face,” referring to the special features on its face. The species name honors the Sternbergs who discovered the fossils.
**Classification**
Spinops is part of a larger family called Ceratopsidae. Within this family, it belongs to the Centrosaurinae subfamily.
Ceratopsians like Spinops walked on four legs and had beaks for munching on plants. They used their horns and frills for defense and possibly to impress other dinosaurs.
In summary, Spinops is a fascinating dinosaur, teaching us about the diversity of life that once roamed the Earth millions of years ago.