A large,
carnivorous dinosaur that lived in the late
Jurassic. Specimens have been found in
North America and East
Africa. The name means "horned
lizard;"
species of this
genus include the
Ceratosaurus nasicornus ("nose-horned horned lizard," seems redundant),
C. dentisulcatus, C. ingens (originally considered a
Megalosaurus),
C. magnicornis,
C. meriani, (also formerly Megalosaurus) and
C. roechlingi.
Resembling the Allosaurus in size and general shape, the Ceratosaurus grew up to 6 meters long and weighed about a ton. It was a biped with bulky, powerful legs and tail, and underdeveloped arms. Its mouth was filled with large, very sharp teeth, and the top of its skull featured short, blade-shaped horns above the nose and eyes. Yes, it looked quite demonic.
The purpose of the horns is a matter of speculation. They may have been secondary sexual characteristic, used similarly to a deer's antlers, or possibly an aid for the young to hatch from their eggs.
Order: Saurischia
Suborder: Theropoda
Infraorder: Ceratosauria
Family: Ceratosauridae