In Depth
Initially thought to represent a large Pentaceratops individual, Titanoceratops was declared its own genera after further study found the material to belong to a new, although still very similar, ceratopsian dinosaur. The large size of Titanoceratops was the inspiration for the new genera name, with the species name T. ouranos derived from the Titan Ouranos, who in Greek mythology was the first ruler of the Titans.
Because of the size of the skull Titanoceratops is thought to have been comparable to the world famous ceratopsian dinosaur Triceratops. Because of its huge size Titanoceratops probably did not have to worry too much about attack once fully grown. Even the large predators known from the same region and time such as the tyrannosaurid Bistahieversor may have restricted themselves to attacking younger individuals that had not yet fully grown.
Further Reading
– Titanoceratops ouranos, a giant horned dinosaur from the Late Campanian of New Mexico. – Cretaceous Research 32 (3): 264–276 – N. R. longrich – 2011.
