**Texacephale: A Unique Dinosaur**
Texacephale is a type of dinosaur that lived during the Late Cretaceous period, about 77 million years ago. It was discovered in Texas, specifically in Big Bend National Park, and was first described by scientists in 2010.
**Classification**
Texacephale falls under several scientific categories:
– It belongs to the kingdom Animalia, which includes all animals.
– It is part of the phylum Chordata, which means it has a backbone.
– It is classified in the class Reptilia, which includes reptiles.
– Texacephale is grouped with other dinosaurs in the clades Dinosauria and Ornithischia.
– It is related to a family of dinosaurs known as Pachycephalosauridae, which are known for their thick skulls.
The full name of this dinosaur is Texacephale langstoni, named in honor of a scientist named Wann Langston.
**What They Found**
The first remains of Texacephale, called the holotype, were made up of parts of the skull, particularly the frontoparietal dome. This dome is the thick, dome-shaped area of the skull that protected its brain.
Interestingly, the fossils were so unusual that some scientists think Texacephale might actually be the same as another dinosaur called Stegoceras.
**What Did Texacephale Look Like?**
Texacephale was relatively small and walked on two legs. It had a very thick skull, which likely helped protect its brain from damage. Some scientists believe that these dinosaurs might have used their heads for head-butting each other, similar to what some animals like sheep do today.
The skull features unique characteristics, such as flanges (which are thin structures) that connected certain bones, and a high nasal area. However, some experts have argued that these traits are not as special as they once thought.
**Where Did Texacephale Live?**
During the time Texacephale lived, the area that is now Big Bend was very different from today. It was a wet, coastal area, unlike the dry conditions we see now.
Texacephale shared its habitat with other dinosaurs, like Agujaceratops, and had to be careful because predators like Tyrannosaurus were around, along with large crocodiles.
**In Summary**
Texacephale is a fascinating dinosaur from Texas with a thick skull and a possible connection to another dinosaur, Stegoceras. It was a plant-eater that likely lived in a rich and diverse environment millions of years ago. Although discussions about its unique features and classification continue, Texacephale remains a captivating part of dinosaur history.