New dinosaur species, Nasutoceratops, discovered in US

Fossils of previously unknown dinosaur were found by Palaeontologists in Utah.

08:17 20 July 2013

Palaeontologists in Utah have discovered fossils of a previously unknown dinosaur called Nasutoceratops, which are believed to have lived during the late Cretaceous about 76 million years ago. 

 

Scientists described them as 15-feet beast that belong to the triceratops family. They have huge noses and exceptionally long horns. The name Nasutoceratops titusi, means big-nose, horn-face. 

 

Dr Mark Loewen, from the University of Utah and Natural History Museum of Utah, told BBC News: “This dinosaur just completely blew us away.

“We would never have predicted it would look like this - it is just so outside of the norm for this group of dinosaurs.”

 

The creature was first discovered at the Grand Staircase-Escalante Monument area of Utah in 2006. Researchers took several years to prepare and study the fossils in detail.

 

The rocks where it was found date to about 75 million years old, which suggest that the dinosaur existed during the Late Cretaceous period. 

 

Researchers also confirmed that the creature, which belongs to the triceratops family, is a herbivore. It means the dinosaur was more likely to have been feasting on plants during that time rather than terrorising other dinosaurs or creatures.