The Pachyrhinosaurus was a large Ceratopsidae dinosaur that thrived in colder climates of North America during the late Cretaceous period. It had a large, boney nose it used as a weapon and could reach charging speeds of almost 25 miles an hour.
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Some Quick Facts About the Pachyrhinosaurus

Name | Pachyrhinosaurus canadensis, “Thick-nosed lizard” |
Type of dinosaur | Ceratopsidae |
Territory | Grasslands of North America in places like Alberta, Canada, and Alaska |
Size | Medium, 25 feet long, 7 feet tall, 8,000 pounds |
Color | Reddish brown |
Interesting Characteristics | Used their thick nose to assert dominance over other Pachyrhinosauruses, were fiercely territorial |
Diet | Plants |
Major Threats | Other Pachyrhinosauruses, larger theropods |
Like the Triceratops, the Pachyrhinosaurus was an abundant species of Centrosaurinae that thrived during the late Cretaceous in North America. It had a thick nose with a boney frill used for defending itself from predators and its territory from other Pachyrhinosauruses. Despite being an herbivore, paleontologists believe this was one mean dino!
What Was the Pachyrhinosaurus Like?
The Pachyrhinosaurus, Pachyrhinosaurus lakustai, was a quadrupedal dino with a large frill on its head accented by deadly horns. Even though it was a herbivore, paleontology believes it was one aggressive dinosaur.
Many fossil records of the Pachyrhinosaurus show broken and healed bones, leading them to believe it was a plant-loving dino that also loved to fight. It used its horn, or nasal boss, to charge at predators, and could reach speeds of almost 25 miles per hour. As a dino that was sometimes neighbors with the T.Rex, it needed tools to defend itself!
What Was The Horn Of the Pachyrhinosaurus Used For?

The Pahchyrhinosaurus was an Alaskan species of dinosaur that used its complicated horn structure to defend itself and defend its territory from fellow Pachyrhinosauruses. Unlike the triceratops, the Pachyrhinosaurus had a horn like a unicorn in the center of its face.
However, some paleontologists believe the horn was composed of keratin that decayed much quicker than bones, so it doesn’t appear in fossil records.
Did Pachyrhinosaurus Have Fur?
It’s unlikely that the Pachyrhinosaurus had fur or protofeathers, but it’s not impossible. There is no fossil evidence that the Pachyrhinosaurus had fur, but some paleontologists think it’s possible. The Pachyrhinosaurus lived in cooler climates in North America and was a member of the Dinosauria class, which is a class of reptiles.
Reptiles don’t have the internal tools to regulate their body temperature in cooler climates. Some paleontologists believe the Pachyrhinosaurus may have had a layer of fur or protofeathers to keep them warm.
What Did The Pachyrhinosaurus Eat?
As an herbivore, this ceratopsid dinosaur had a mouthful of teeth perfect for munching on conifers and other plants growing in North America during the late Cretaceous. Its sharp beak-like snout snapped the branches off low-growing trees and plants and ground them with its flat back teeth.
The Pachyrhinosaurus likely ate from sun up to sun down. With a massive body weight and size, it took a lot of plants to keep their energy levels up during the day!
Is The Rhino A Descendant To The Pachyrhinosaurus?
No, the rhino is in no way related to the Pachyrhinosaurus. It sounds confusing since the word rhino is in the name Pachyrhinosaurus, but modern rhinos are mammals, while the Pachyrhinosaurus is a reptile that lays eggs.
While they are two different animals, they do share similar characteristics. The Pachyrhinosaurus used its horns similarly to rhinos to defend its territory and defend itself.
Was The Pachyrhinosaurus Related To Any Other Dinos?


Yes, the Pachyrhinosaurus had a few close dino relatives, but they are not who you think! While the Pachyrhinosaurus may look similar to a Triceratops, they are more like distant cousins. The Pachyrhinosaurus is more closely related to ceratopsian dinosaurs like the Styracosaurus and Centrosaurus.
When Were The First Pachyrhinosaurus Fossils Discovered?
The first incomplete specimens of the new species, the Pachyrhinosaurus, popped up in the Horseshoe Canyon Formation in southern Alberta, Canada, in 1945.
Since then, there are still new fossil discoveries of the Pachyrhinosaurus showing up as late as 2006 and are found in places like the bonebed of Wapiti River, Scabby Butte, and Pipestone Creek in Alberta.
Different types of species of the Pachyrhinosaurus include P. canadensis, P. lakustai, and P. perotorum. All three species of pachyrhinosauruses have similar frames, but the ornamentation of their bosses and neck frill earned them their different species.