Nasutoceratops-Horn Face

Scientists have described a new species of Dinosaur from the deserts of Utah dating to 75 million years ago. Nasutoceratops, whose name means 'big nosed horn face' is the latest member of the Ceratopsian family, standing alongside Triceratops and Styracosaurus. The creature was first discovered in 2006 the Grand Staircase-Escalante Monument area of Utah.Continue reading the main story University of Utah. However, it has taken several years to prepare and then study the fossil in detail.The rocks it was found in date to about 75-million-years old, so the beast would have roamed the Earth during the Late Cretaceous period."The horns are by far the absolute largest of any member of its group of dinosaurs - they curve sideways and forwards," explained Dr Loewen."In addition it has the biggest nose of its group too."He added that it also had a scalloped frill at the back of its head.Nasutoceratops was also hefty, weighing about 2.5 tonnes, and with its unusual looks it would have cut a fearsome figure. However this species, like all members of the triceratops family is a herbivore. It would have been more concerned with feasting on plants in its tropical, swampy surrounds than terrorising other dinosaurs. Dr Loewen said: "All of these animals are upwards of three tonnes... You have an environment where you have all of these large herbivores competing for food."We aren't really sure how you can support all of these animals, but you do find them all in the rock at the same time."He added that other unusual new species were also emerging from the site.