Breviceratops Facts
| Diet | Herbivore |
| Height | 0.5m |
| Length | 1.5m |
| Weight | 30 kg |
| Environment | Land |
| Era | Cretaceous |
| Period | Late Cretaceous |
| Type | Ceratopsian |
| Location | Mongolia |

| Diet | Herbivore |
| Height | 0.5m |
| Length | 1.5m |
| Weight | 30 kg |
| Environment | Land |
| Era | Cretaceous |
| Period | Late Cretaceous |
| Type | Ceratopsian |
| Location | Mongolia |
Breviceratops was a small ceratopsian dinosaur that lived during the Late Cretaceous period, approximately 83.6 million years ago, in what is now Mongolia. This diminutive herbivore was discovered in the Barun Goyot Formation, a fossil-rich geological formation known for preserving remarkable specimens from ancient desert environments.
As its name suggests, Breviceratops had a relatively short frill compared to other ceratopsians, giving it a distinctive appearance amongst its horned relatives. This compact dinosaur measured about 1.5 metres in length and stood roughly half a metre tall at the hip, making it one of the smaller members of the ceratopsian family. Its body was robust and low-slung, typical of quadrupedal herbivores adapted for ground-level feeding.
Like other ceratopsians, Breviceratops possessed a sharp, parrot-like beak perfectly designed for cropping tough plant material. Its teeth were arranged in batteries that could efficiently process the fibrous vegetation of its arid homeland. The dinosaur's skull featured the characteristic ceratopsian frill, though notably abbreviated compared to its larger cousins, and small facial horns that likely served both defensive and display purposes.
Breviceratops inhabited a harsh desert landscape during the Late Cretaceous, sharing its environment with various other dinosaurs, including predatory theropods and other herbivorous species. Its relatively small size and sturdy build suggest it was well-adapted to life in this challenging ecosystem, able to seek shelter and find sustenance in an unforgiving environment.
Breviceratops was characterised by its notably short neck frill, which was much more compact than those seen in larger ceratopsians. It had small facial horns and a robust, parrot-like beak typical of plant-eating ceratopsians, but its overall diminutive size made it quite distinct from its larger relatives.
Breviceratops likely lived in small herds, as suggested by the social nature of many ceratopsians, providing protection against predators in the open desert landscape. Its low build and ground-level feeding adaptations suggest it spent much of its time foraging for low-growing plants and shrubs. The small horns and frill may have been used for species recognition and social displays within the group.
Breviceratops was first described by Altangerel Perle in 1975. The original fossils were discovered at Barun Goyot Formation, Mongolia.