**Udanoceratops: A Horned Dinosaur from the Late Cretaceous**
Udanoceratops is a fascinating type of dinosaur that lived during the Late Cretaceous period, around 75 million years ago, in what is now Mongolia. It belongs to a group called Leptoceratopsidae. This group is part of the larger category known as Ceratopsia, which means “horned faces.”
**Discovery of Udanoceratops**
Udanoceratops was first described by a Russian scientist named Sergei Kurzanov in 1992. The first fossils of this dinosaur were found in a place called Udan Sayr, located in Mongolia. Fossils were collected from the Djadokhta Formation, which dates back to the Campanian stage of the Late Cretaceous.
The name “Udanoceratops” combines the name of the location where it was found with Greek words that mean “horn” and “face.” The type species is called Udanoceratops tschizhovi, named after another scientist, I. V. Tschizhova. Scientists have mostly studied a large skull and some other remains of this dinosaur.
**What Did Udanoceratops Look Like?**
Udanoceratops was quite large for its type, reaching about 4 meters long (around 13 feet) and weighing around 700 kilograms (about 1,500 pounds). It did not have horns over its eyes or nose but had a short frill at the back of its head. Its skull was around 60 centimeters long. The lower jaw was strong, which helped it eat tough plants.
**Where Did Udanoceratops Fit in the Dinosaur Family Tree?**
Udanoceratops is considered a member of the Ceratopsia group, which mainly includes plant-eating dinosaurs. It is the only member of the Leptoceratopsidae family found in Asia, while other relatives were found in North America, such as Leptoceratops and Prenoceratops.
**Diet and Behavior of Udanoceratops**
Udanoceratops was a herbivore, meaning it ate plants. Its strong jaws and beak were perfect for grasping and chewing tough leaves and stems. Scientists believe that these dinosaurs had to eat hard, fibrous plants that grew in the Gobi Desert at that time.
Interesting information comes from the fossils, including one that had a facial injury. This might suggest that Udanoceratops could defend itself or that it interacted socially with others of its kind.
In summary, Udanoceratops is a remarkable dinosaur with a unique place in the history of dinosaurs, particularly in the Cretaceous period of Mongolia. Its impressive size and specialized eating habits provide valuable insight into the lives of these ancient creatures.