Styracosaurus walked on four legs and had a six-spiked frill projecting from the back of its skull. It also had an upward-pointing horn on its nose (2 feet (60 cm) long and 6 inches (15 cm) wide), and two small horns above its eyes. These spikes and the horn probably provided protection from predators, and were possibly used in mating rituals and rivalry. It had a short, thick, pointed tail, a large, bulky body, a large skull and a toothed beak. Styracosaurus hatched from eggs. Styracosaurus was probably a herding animal, like other ceratopsians. This hypothesis is supported by the finding of bone beds, large deposits of bones of the same species in an area. Styracosaurus hatched from eggs, and the young may have been cared for by parents. When threatened by predators, Styracosaurus probably charged into its enemy like the modern-day rhinoceros does. This was probably a very effective defense.
Styracosaurus probably ate cycads, palms, and other prehistoric plants with its tough, toothed beak. It could also chew well with its cheek teeth (like other Ceratopsians, but unlike most other dinosaurs). Styracosaurus walked on four short legs; it may have been a relatively fast dinosaur, perhaps running at up to 20 mph (32 kph).
Diet: Fibrous plants
Size: Length 5.5m
Weight 2.7 tonnes
Classification:
Family Ceratopsidae
Infraorder Ceratopsia
Suborder Marginocephalia
Order Ornithischia
Time (million years ago): 75-72