A Carcharodontosaurus was heavy-boned and clumsy compared to lighter large Theropod dinosaurs like a T-rex. A Triceratops was low to the ground and built for ramming into foes. With its low center of gravity, horns, and strength, the Triceratops would win most of the time.
Table of Contents
Battle Facts about Carcharodontosaurus vs. Triceratops
| Name | Carcharodontosaurus (Carcharodontosaurus saharicus) | Triceratops (Triceratops horridus) |
| Size | 39-41 feet long, 14 feet tall, around 14,000 pounds | 30 feet long, 7-10 feet tall, 12,000 pounds |
| Speed | 20 mph | 20 mph |
| Offense | Jagged teeth used for slicing flesh | Large size and three horns |
| Defense | Sharp claws, heavy tail | Neck protected by frill |
| Endurance and Behavior | Great vision | Moved in herds for protection |
The Carcharodontosaurus’s heavy bones gave this vicious carnivore a huge disadvantage. Even though it was about the same height and length as the Tyrannosaurus rex, the Carcharodontosaurus was almost twice as heavy!
This made it more clumsy, giving the rhino-like Triceratops a huge advantage against Carcharodontosaurus. When it came to Carcharodontosaurus vs. Triceratops, Triceratops would win most fights.
Was the Carcharodontosaurus bigger than the Triceratops?
The Carcharodontosaurus was both taller and longer than the Triceratops. The Carcharodontosaurus was also heavier, but only by about 2,000 pounds. That seems like a big difference, but when the Triceratops was already 12,000 pounds, the 14,000-pound Carcharodontosaurus was not much heavier.
These two late Cretaceous dinos had completely different body types. Triceratops walked on all fours and was low to the ground. Carcharodontosaurus walked on two legs and was very long and tall. Of the two, Triceratops was stronger and more stable.
What was Triceratops’s Best Defense?
Even though Triceratops had an armored neck frill and sharp horns, those weren’t their best defense. Herd behavior kept the most vulnerable herbivores, like the mighty T-rex and Raptors, safe from carnivores. In North America, herbivorous dinosaurs like Edmontosaurus, Torosaurus, and Triceratops lived in large mixed groups.
According to paleontologists, herd behavior was practiced by earlier dinos as well. Stegosaurus and Ankylosaurus also roamed in herds. While they had adaptations that helped them defend themselves, most herbivores prefer to avoid fights altogether.
Is Carcharodontosaurus Related to T-rex?
Carcharodontosaurus and T-rex look similar, but they are not related. Both are large Theropod dinosaurs with small forearms and sturdy back legs. Their similarities end there.
Carcharodontosaurus is a close relative of a Carnosaur from North America named Allosaurus. Carnosaurs are not the same as Carnotaurus, from a different family with a similar name. Acrocanthosaurus, Giganotosaurus, and Tyrannotitan are also related to Carcharodontosaurus.
Did Carcharodontosaurus Live with Other Carnivorous Dinosaurs?
Carcharodontosaurus lived in Morocco during the same period as Spinosaurus. While they lived together and shared some similarities, Spinosaurus was unrelated to Carcharodontosaurus. Spinosaurus was related to Suchomimus and Baryonyx.
Paleontologists have found evidence that Spinosaurus and Carcharodontosaurus fought each other. A fractured vertebra from a Spinosaurus’s sail pointed towards a fight with another large carnivore. While there’s no proof Carcharodontosaurus won this battle, it was a ferocious and brave predator!
Was the Triceratops stronger than the Carcharodontosaurus?
While the Carcharodontosaurus was longer, taller, and heavier, the Triceratops was stronger. It was built like a huge rhinoceros with thick legs and a strong skull for ramming into things.
Carcharodontosaurus had a stronger bite, sharp teeth, and a swinging tail for defense. But one major downfall of the Carcharo were its short forearms. Once pushed over, Carcharo would struggle to get up, giving Triceratops plenty of time to finish the fight.
Dinosaur Battle: Could Triceratops beat Carcharodontosaurus?
It’s wild to think an herbivorous dinosaur could beat a carnivorous dinosaur, but the Triceratops could! It used the same adaptations to beat Tyrannosaur as it would the Carcharodontosaurus. That doesn’t mean that Triceratops would win every battle, but it would win quite a few!
Carcharodontosaurus’s best bet for survival against Triceratops was to leave it alone in the first place. Since the only place on a Ceratopsian dino Carcharo could bite was their flank area, a Carcharo victory was more luck than skill. Carcharodontosaurus was much better at taking down Sauropods and Hadrosaurs, which comprised most of its diet.
Even though Triceratops would usually win against Carcharodontosaurus if the two ever met, Triceratops was smart to stay in herds for safety. The easiest way for carnivores to eat a Triceratops was to separate it from the herd. Even then, it was never an easy meal!