Classification: Dinosauria – Ornithischia – Marginocephalia – Ceratopsia – Neoceratopsia – Coronosauria – Ceratopsoidea – Ceratopsidae - Chasmosaurinae
Time Period: middle Cretaceous
Location: North America
Diet: Herbivore
Chasmosaurus is recognized by the large fenestrae in its massive, rectangle-shaped frill. Most ceratopsians had hollow openings in their frill (fenestrae) that would be covered with skin in actual life, and Chasmosaurus has some of the largest fenestrae of any ceratopsians; hence the meaning of its name, "Chasm Reptile." Paleontologists speculate that the skin over the fenestrae was filled with blood vessels that enabled the skin to flush bright colors; this would be profitable for mating season, warding off predators, or even communicating among members of the herd.
Chasmosaurus had three horns on its face. The brow horns weresmall and blunt, perhaps serving as decorative pieces. The nasal horn seems built for serious business. Long and powerful, a jab from this horn could cut through the thickest flesh. Some specimens have smaller horns, and paleontologists speculate this is due to sexual dimorphism (phenotypic differences between males and females of a certain species). Chasmosaurus' skin was pebbly, rough, and thick like double-layered leather. Circular tubercles ran in regularly spaced rows across its skin, with smaller tubercles between the slender rows.
 |
| any depiction of Chasmosaurus sex is post-worthy. period. |
No comments:
Post a Comment