Ugrosaurus Facts
Pronunciation: OO-grow-SORE-us
Name meaning: Fierce Lizard
| Diet | Herbivore |
| Height | 3m |
| Length | 8m |
| Weight | 6 tonnes |
| Environment | Land |
| Era | Cretaceous |
| Period | Late Cretaceous |
| Type | Ceratopsian |
| Location | North America |
Ugrosaurus was a ceratopsian dinosaur that lived during the Late Cretaceous period, approximately 72.2 million years ago in what is now western North America. Though originally described as a distinct genus, many palaeontologists today consider the fossil remains too fragmentary to establish Ugrosaurus as separate from its famous relative, Triceratops.
Like other ceratopsians, Ugrosaurus would have been a large, heavily-built herbivore with a distinctive bony frill extending from the back of its skull and prominent facial horns. These impressive dinosaurs roamed the ancient floodplains and forests of Laramidia, the western island continent that existed when sea levels were much higher than today.
As a plant-eater, Ugrosaurus possessed a powerful beak-like mouth perfect for cropping tough vegetation, along with rows of shearing teeth further back in its jaws for processing fibrous plant material. The dinosaur's massive body was supported by four sturdy legs, and its long tail helped balance its heavy head and frill.
The uncertain status of Ugrosaurus highlights the challenges palaeontologists face when working with incomplete fossil material. While the original specimens suggested a unique species, subsequent research and discoveries have made its distinction from other ceratopsians increasingly questionable.
What made Ugrosaurus distinctive?
Ugrosaurus was thought to possess a distinctive skull structure with specific horn arrangements and frill characteristics that differed from Triceratops. However, the fragmentary nature of the fossil material makes these distinguishing features difficult to verify definitively.
Behaviour
Like other ceratopsians, Ugrosaurus likely lived in herds and used its impressive horns and frill both for defence against predators and for display during social interactions. The large frill may have served as a visual signal to other members of its species.
Discovery
Ugrosaurus was first described by Charles Mortram Sternberg in 1932. The original fossils were discovered at Campanian deposits, Alberta, Canada.
Ugrosaurus FAQ
What did Ugrosaurus eat?
Ugrosaurus was a herbivore that fed on the plants available in
Late Cretaceous North America, including ferns, cycads, and early flowering plants. Its beak-like mouth was perfect for cropping vegetation, while its battery of teeth could slice through tough plant fibres.
How big was Ugrosaurus?
Ugrosaurus is estimated to have been around 8 metres long and 3 metres tall at the hip, weighing approximately 6 tonnes. However, these measurements are uncertain due to the fragmentary nature of the fossil remains.
When did Ugrosaurus live?
Ugrosaurus lived during the
Late Cretaceous period, specifically around 72.2 million years ago during the Campanian stage. This makes it slightly older than the well-known
Triceratops.
Where was Ugrosaurus found?
Ugrosaurus fossils were discovered in Alberta, Canada, in Campanian-age rock formations. Alberta is famous for its rich dinosaur fossil beds and has yielded many important ceratopsian discoveries.
How do you pronounce Ugrosaurus?
Ugrosaurus is pronounced 'OO-grow-SORE-us', with emphasis on the first and third syllables. The name comes from Latin meaning 'fierce lizard'.
What does Ugrosaurus mean?
Ugrosaurus means 'fierce lizard' in Latin, referring to the impressive and formidable appearance that ceratopsian dinosaurs would have presented with their large horns and frills.
How fast could Ugrosaurus run?
The running speed of Ugrosaurus is unknown due to limited fossil evidence. However, like other large ceratopsians, it was likely not a fast runner, probably reaching modest speeds when necessary to escape predators.
What type of dinosaur was Ugrosaurus?
Ugrosaurus was a ceratopsian dinosaur, belonging to the family Ceratopsidae. These were the large, horned herbivorous dinosaurs characterised by their distinctive frills and facial horns.
Was Ugrosaurus related to birds?
Ugrosaurus was not closely related to birds. As an ornithischian dinosaur, it belonged to a different major group from the saurischian dinosaurs that gave rise to birds. However, all dinosaurs share common reptilian ancestors.
How many Ugrosaurus fossils have been found?
Very few Ugrosaurus fossils have been discovered, and they consist mainly of fragmentary skull material. The limited fossil evidence is why many palaeontologists question whether Ugrosaurus represents a distinct genus or is actually part of another ceratopsian species.
