Readersaurus
Dino-Names

Triceratops

Triceratops was a herbivore from the late Cretaceous period. It grew to be 12 metres long and 4 metres high, and weighed 12,000kg.

How did Triceratops get its name?

"Triceratops" comes from three Greek words:

  • Tri meaning "three,"
  • Keras meaning "horn," and
  • Ops meaning "face."

So if you put the words together, the name means "three horn face."

Why?

Just look at it! Two horns over the eyes and one more on the nose - three horns on its face.

Triceratops
Triceratops is one of the most famous and easily-recognizable dinosaurs.

What else is really cool about Triceratops?

  • Triceratops had the biggest skull of any other land animal. It could grow to be eight feet long.
  • Triceratops might have used its long horns to fight off attacks from predators.

Created by Carrie Johns
Copyright April 28, 2018
Revised April 28, 2018