Styracosaurus and Allosaurus were two completely different dinosaurs. Styracosaurus lived in the Cretaceous Period and was about the size of a rhino. Allosaurus looked much like T-rex but was smaller and had longer arms than T-rex’s useless stubs. Allosaurus reigned during the Jurassic Period, but this mighty carnivore would have battled Styracosaurus without hesitation had they met face to face.
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Battle Facts about Styracosaurus & Allosaurus
Name | Styracosaurus (Styracosaurus albertensis) | Allosaurus (Allosaurus fragilis) |
Size | 16-18 feet long, 6-8 feet tall | 28 feet long,13-16 feet tall |
Speed | 20 mph | 21 mph |
Offense | Moving in herds, horns surrounding the head | Size and sharp teeth |
Defense | Frills and horns, driving strength | Grasping claws, sharp teeth, thick back legs |
Endurance and Behavior | Grazing in herds and constant movement in open areas | Cooperative hunters |
What Is the Difference Between a Styracosaurus and an Allosaurus?
Allosaurus and Styracosaurus had plenty of differences. Styracosaurus was an herbivore, Allosaurus a carnivore. Styracosaurus walked on four legs; Allosaurus walked on two. Styracosaurus lived in herds, and Allosaurus lived alone or in small groups.
Allosaurus was built to prey on other dinosaurs. With its sharp teeth and grasping claws, Allosaurus was quite the predator. Allosaurus also scavenged, eating carcasses alongside other carnivores like raptors.
Styracosaurus evolved to eat low plant material, grazing like cattle today. Styracosaurus was constantly on the move, using its powerful beak to rip tough plants too difficult for other herbivores to eat. Like modern grazing animals, Styracosaurus stayed in herds and kept watch for predators.
Which Had More Armor, the Allosaurus or Styracosaurus?
Styracosaurus had far more armor than Allosaurus and sharp horns.
But Allosaurus did horns above its eyes, similar to Carnotaurus. Allosaurus’s horns were located in front of the eyes and were probably used to attract a mate or fight other Allosauruses.
When fighting Styracosaurus, Allosaurus’s horns would’ve been completely useless. They were much smaller than the spiked horns worn by Styracosaurus. Allosaurus’ horns were also more fragile.
Allosaurus vs. Styracosaurus: Who Would Win the Dinosaur Battle?
Allosaurus vs. Styracosaurus would be quite a dinosaur battle. Both these dinosaurs had strengths that made them fierce fighters. Weighing about the same made the fight a fair one.
Fossil evidence shows that Allosaurus often preyed on the mighty Stegosaurus. This means not only was Allosaurus large with sharp claws and teeth, but it was also smart. Working with other Allosauruses or just ambushing a Styracosaurus would’ve given Allosaurus an immediate advantage.
But Styracosaurus was also a strong fighter. Low to the ground, this short-legged dino could charge Allosaurus and jam its horns into Allosaurus’s soft belly. If Styracosaurus could knock Allosaurus over, it could destroy its enemy.
The winner of the dinosaur battle would depend a lot on which dino got the first blow. If Allosaurus could get its teeth or claws on Styracosaurus’s throat, Allosaurus would win. But if Styracosaurus charged first and impaled Allosaurus, then Styracosaurus would win. Their chances are about even.
What Dinosaurs lived with Allosaurus and Styracosaurus?
Allosaurus and Styracosaurus lived during completely different time periods. Both dinos lived in North America. Allosaurus and Styracosaurus both lived during a time filled with diverse species of dinosaurs roaming North America.
Allosaurus lived during the Jurassic Period from 163-89 million years ago. During that time, North America saw quite a few dinosaurs come and go:
- Acrocanthosaurus
- Apatosaurus
- Brontosaurus
- Brachiosaurus
- Camarasaurus
- Ceratosaurus
- Deinonychus
- Diplodocus
- Iguanodon
- Stegosaurus
Styracosaurus lived in the Cretaceous Period 83-70 million years ago. North America had lots of different dinos during this era, too:
- Albertosaurus
- Ankylosaurus
- Parasaurolophus
- Torosaurus
- Triceratops
- Tyrannosaurus rex
While Styracosaurus and Allosaurus never met on the dinosaur battlefield, it’s clear a fight between these two dinos would’ve been a fair one.
Allosaurus was vicious, with sharp teeth and long claws, and Styracosaurus was strong and low to the ground. Allosaurus’s horns were useless, but Styracosaurus had long, sharp horns.
Even though it was a fair fight, the fact that Allosaurus preyed on the mighty Stegosaurus in real life means that Allosaurus had brains, too.
The Styracosaurus wasn’t as smart but knew enough to stay in a herd. Both of these dinos were excellent fighters and survivors.