Protoceratops

Fun Dinosaur Facts for Kids

Want to know about the Protoceratops?

You are in the right place! Find out all about this great dinosaur including where it lived and how big it was.


Kids Fast Facts

  • You pronounce their name 'pro-toe-serra-tops'.

  • The meaning of its name is "First Horned Face".

  • They lived during the Late Cretaceous Period.

  • They were herbivores.

  • Their length was 1.8 metres (6 feet) - about the size of a sheep.

  • They weighed under 390 pounds (180 kilograms).

Protoceratops - Dinosaur Facts for Kids

Photo Credit: Nobu Tamura

More Protoceratops Dinosaur Details

Protoceratops is a special dinosaur because they had really large eyes.

At first scientist thought this meant they were nocturnal (they came out at night). However, it is now believed that they cathemeral. This means they probably came out at regular times both day and night.

Protoceratops timeline - when did they live

They lived during the Late Cretaceous period 75-71 million years ago. This is the same time as lots of other dinosaurs.

Dinosaurs for kids - Protoceratops

This was a slow dinosaur. They were too heavy to run on two legs and running on four meant they couldn't really go very fast.

Its dinosaur classification is Ceratopsia. 

Protoceratops Facts for Kids

The massive frills were attached to the skull. It would have helped to protect its neck from predators. It also had very strong jaw muscles and could give a very powerful bite.

More questions you may have :

What did they eat?

They were herbivores and would have eaten cretaceous plants. Their strong jaws would have helped them chew their food.

Who ate them?

They have been found with fossils of the Velociraptor and Oviraptor which suggests they were predators.

Where did they live?

Protoceratops Map - Where did they live?

They lived in Mongolia in Asia. 

Lots of skeletons found together suggest that they travelled in herds. It is also thought that the mothers looked after their young at nests.

How big were they?

Protoceratops Size - how big was this dinosaur

They were about the size of a sheep but with a large skull. They were about 1.8 metres (6 feet) long.

Learn more about dinosaurs!

Dinosaur Coloring Sheet

› Protoceratops
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