Nasutoceratops is a ceratopsian dinosaur from the late Cretaceous period. Its name is a combination of the Latin 'nasutus', meaning "large-nosed" and the Greek 'ceratops', meaning "horned face", referring to its appearance. Unlike its fellow ceratopsian Triceratops, Nasutoceratops has no nose horn, but instead features unique horns that point out and forward, like a modern bull. These horns are the largest of the centrosaurine subfamily of ceratopsid dinosaurs.
Discovery
Nasutoceratops is a relatively recent discovery: the holotype specimen was discovered in 2006 in southern Utah, as part of a project managed by the University of Utah. The holotype is notable in that it is nearly complete, consisting of almost the entire skull, with horns intact, alongside other body parts including limbs, and skin impressions. These skin impressions have revealed a trihexagonal tiling pattern of scales. In 2013 the dinosaur was given the name Nasutoceratops.
Paleoecology
During the late Cretaceous Nasutoceratops' discovery location - the Kaiparowits Formation - would have been a coastal region, lying on the border of the Western Interior Seaway. Like many dinosaurs Nasutoceratops' habitat was therefore wet and humid. Predators Nasutoceratops may have had to contend with include Tyrannosaurids such as Albertosaurus.
