Coronosaurus Facts
| Diet | Herbivore |
| Height | 2m |
| Length | 5.5m |
| Weight | 2.5 tonnes |
| Environment | Land |
| Era | Cretaceous |
| Period | Late Cretaceous |
| Type | Ceratopsian |
| Location | Alberta, Canada |

| Diet | Herbivore |
| Height | 2m |
| Length | 5.5m |
| Weight | 2.5 tonnes |
| Environment | Land |
| Era | Cretaceous |
| Period | Late Cretaceous |
| Type | Ceratopsian |
| Location | Alberta, Canada |
Coronosaurus was a remarkable ceratopsian dinosaur that lived during the Late Cretaceous period, approximately 83.6 million years ago. This impressive herbivore roamed the ancient landscapes of what is now Alberta, Canada, alongside other ceratopsians in the diverse ecosystems of the Oldman Formation.
Like other ceratopsians, Coronosaurus was a quadrupedal plant-eater with a distinctive bony frill extending from the back of its skull. What made this dinosaur truly special was the unique crown-like arrangement of horns adorning the top of its frill, which inspired its name meaning 'crowned lizard'. These ornate projections likely served both as display features for attracting mates and as defensive weapons against predators.
Coronosaurus possessed a powerful beak perfect for cropping tough vegetation, along with rows of grinding teeth further back in its jaws for processing plant material. Its sturdy, muscular body was well-adapted for supporting its considerable weight as it moved through the ancient forests and floodplains of Cretaceous Alberta.
Originally described as a species of Centrosaurus in 2005, Coronosaurus was later recognised as sufficiently distinct to warrant its own genus in 2012. The fossil evidence comes from two bone beds discovered by renowned palaeontologist Phillip J. Currie, suggesting these dinosaurs may have lived and died together in herds.
Coronosaurus is distinguished by its unique crown-like arrangement of horns on the top of its frill, which gives it its name meaning 'crowned lizard'. This distinctive ornamentation sets it apart from other ceratopsians and likely served both defensive and display purposes.
Coronosaurus likely lived in herds, as evidenced by the discovery of multiple individuals in bone beds. These social groups would have provided protection from predators and may have engaged in complex display behaviours using their elaborate crown-like frill ornaments during mating seasons or territorial disputes.
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Ornithischia |
| Family | Ceratopsidae |
| Genus | Coronosaurus |
Coronosaurus was first described by Phillip J. Currie in 2005. The original fossils were discovered at Oldman Formation, Alberta, Canada.