Regaliceratops
Order: Ornithischia · Suborder: Ceratopsia · Infraorder: Ceratopsidae · Family: Ceratopsidae
Regaliceratops, whose name means "royal horned face," was a herbivorous horned dinosaur that lived during the Late Cretaceous period in what is now Alberta, Canada. This ceratopsian measured approximately 16 feet in length and belonged to the chasmosaurine group, one of the two main branches of horned dinosaurs. Despite its classification within this group, Regaliceratops possessed an unusual combination of features that defied typical patterns seen in its relatives.
The dinosaur's most distinctive characteristic was its frill, which was adorned with large, plate-like bony structures arranged in a crown-like formation—an ornamental style more commonly associated with the other major ceratopsian lineage. Armed with a prominent nose horn and smaller brow horns, Regaliceratops presented a striking appearance. Scientists who prepared its remarkably well-preserved skull informally nicknamed the animal "Hellboy" during their work.
The discovery of Regaliceratops has provided paleontologists with important insights into ceratopsian evolution. Its unexpected mosaic of features—combining chasmosaurine traits with frill ornamentation typical of other horned dinosaur groups—suggests that different lineages of ceratopsians sometimes independently evolved similar defensive and display structures. This finding reinforces the remarkable diversity of horned dinosaurs that inhabited western North America during the Late Cretaceous.
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Reference background: Natural History Museum, London — Dinosaurs; Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History — Dinosaurs; American Museum of Natural History — Dinosaurs & Fossils. Figures are typical published ranges; taxonomy follows the source era and modern consensus is noted where it differs. See our sources & fact-check policy.
Frequently asked questions
What does Regaliceratops mean?
The name Regaliceratops means “Royal horned face”.
When did Regaliceratops live?
Regaliceratops lived during the Late Cretaceous.
Was Regaliceratops a carnivore or a herbivore?
Regaliceratops was a herbivore.
How big was Regaliceratops?
Regaliceratops was about 16 feet (5 meters) long.
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