Unescoceratops is a genus of dinosaurs that roamed the earth during the Late Cretaceous period, around 76.5 to 75 million years ago.
This dinosaur was found in Alberta, Canada, in an area known for its rich fossils.
There is only one known species of Unescoceratops, called Unescoceratops koppelhusae.
Discovery
Unescoceratops was discovered in 1995, but it took years for scientists to identify it. The only fossil found was a part of a jawbone. Initially, it was thought to belong to a different dinosaur. It wasn’t until a detailed study was done by Michael Ryan and David Evans that the dinosaur was properly classified. They found that Unescoceratops was one of the more advanced types of its family.
Description
Unescoceratops was a small dinosaur, measuring between one and two meters long and weighing less than 91 kilograms. Its teeth were unique compared to other members of its family, being rounder in shape.
Since it lived on an island continent called Laramidia, it likely fed on plants that were within its reach, mainly vegetation that was about a meter high or lower.
Etymology
The name “Unescoceratops” means “UNESCO horned face.” It was named this way because its fossil was found in a location that is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The species name “koppelhusae” honors Eva Koppelhus, a palynologist who is the wife of one of the researchers.
Classification
Unescoceratops belongs to a group called leptoceratopsids, which are a type of ceratopsian dinosaurs. It is closely related to another dinosaur called Gryphoceratops, which was described in the same study.
In conclusion, Unescoceratops is a fascinating dinosaur that gives us a glimpse into the rich diversity of life that existed during the Late Cretaceous period.