The bigger, faster, and stronger Ceratosaurus would likely win a fight with Kentrosaurus. But taking down the Kentrosaurus wasn’t simple at all. The Kentro stayed in large herds for protection, and even if one separated from the group, the Ceratosaurus had to avoid Kentro’s swinging spiked tail.
Table of Contents
Battle Facts about Ceratosaurus vs. Kentrosaurus
| Name | Ceratosaurus (Ceratosaurus nasicornis) | Kentrosaurus (Kentrosaurus aethiopicus) |
| Size | 22-23 feet long, 5.5-6.5 feet tall | 13-15 feet long, 4-6 feet tall |
| Speed | 20-30 mph | 5 mph |
| Offense | Swimming, useful forearms | Tail spikes |
| Defense | Good swimmer, stable on back legs | Protective plates along the spine, spiked legs |
| Endurance and Behavior | Aggressive and quick, able to run for long distances | Stayed in large herds for protection |
Ceratosaurus and Kentrosaurus lived together in the Late Jurassic period in East Africa. We know that the Cerato hunted the Kentro, but only when the Kentrosaurus was separated from the herd.
Even though the Kentro was a slow-moving herbivore, the Cerato preferred to attack weak and isolated Kentrosauruses. This was because of Kentro’s spiked tail, which swung like a weapon when threatened!
What was the difference between the Ceratosaurus and the Kentrosaurus?
The size was the biggest difference between these two dinos. The Ceratosaurus was 22-23 feet long, 5.5-6.5 feet tall, and the Kentrosaurus was 13-15 feet long, 4-6 feet tall.
Additionally, the Ceratosaurus had deep jaws that supported proportionally very long, blade-like teeth. It also packed functional but short forelimbs. The Kentrosaurus was smaller, with two rows of plates along its back and tail and spikes on its shoulders.
What Dinos Hunted the Kentrosaurus?
The Kentrosaurus was the prey of carnivores living in Tanzania during the Jurassic period. Both Ceratosaurus and Allosaurus hunted Kentros. Being preyed on by much larger carnivores is why Kentros stayed together in herds.
Herbivorous dinos all over the world lived in packed herds with other dinos. Triceratops, Styracosaurus, Edmontonia, and Iguanodons also moved in large numbers for their safety, even with all their defensive adaptations. This safety-in-numbers practice is still used today by herbivores like bison, horses, and cows.
How did the Cerato hunt the Kentro?
The Cerato preferred preying on weak and injured Kentros. Part of the reason Cerato didn’t like to fight with healthy Kentros was because of their armor. The Cerato had to get in a lucky slash to beat a healthy Kentro.
That was hard because of Kentrosaurus’s defenses. The Kentro was known as the porcupine of the Jurassic world and was covered with spikes, plates, and other armor. There were only a few places the Ceratosaurus could slice with its claws to wound the Kentrosaurus.
What Other Dinos Lived with the Kentrosaurus?
Aside from the Allosaurus and the Ceratosaurus, several Sauropod dinos lived near the Kentrosaurus. Two long-necked herbivores named Tornieria africana and Janenschia robusta lived in Tanzania about 155 million years ago. These two dinos were previously called Gigantosaurus — not to be confused with a carnivore Giganotosaurus.
Another Sauropod, Giraffatitan, lived in this area around the same time as Kentro. Giraffatitan was considered the largest known Sauropod to walk the Earth. The Cretaceous Sauropod Sauroposeidon is currently considered one of the tallest land dinos.
Was the Ceratosaurus Stronger than the Kentrosaurus?
The Ceratosaurus had a stronger bite and stronger defenses than the Kentrosaurus. It was also heavier, but not by much. That meant the Kentrosaurus was more compact, and that was an advantage.
Because the Kentro walked on four legs and was closer to the ground, it was a bit bulkier than the Cerato. This low center of gravity gave the Kentro a bit more strength. Like a charging Triceratops, the Kentro could batter the taller Theropod with incredible force!
Who Would Win if Ceratosaurus Fought Kentrosaurus?
The Ceratosaurus was the most likely winner of a battle between Cerato and Kentro. That doesn’t mean the Cerato would win all the time or easily. Since these two lived side by side, we know that most Kentrosaurus dinos were killed by a mix of large carnivores and natural disasters, not just the Ceratosaurus.
The Ceratosaurus hunted and ate Kentrosaurus in real life during the Jurassic period. So, we know that Ceratosaurus often won over Kentrosaurus. But their battles were not that simple.
The fact that Cerato needed to stalk and ambush Kentro says a lot about Kentro’s fighting skills. With a swinging spiked tail and an armored body, Cerato relied on luck and skill to beat this slow-moving Sauropod. And the Cerato faced with more than one Kentro would be smart to run away!