---
title: "New Species of Horned Dinosaur Resembles The Triceratops"
description: "Scientists have found the bones of a new species of dinosaur, closely related to Triceratops."
date: "2015-07-10"
modified: "2016-11-30"
authors:
  - name: "Nia Brown"
    link: "https://futurism.com/authors/nia_brown"
url: "https://futurism.com/new-species-of-horned-dinosaur-resembles-the-triceratops"
categories:
  - "From Quarks to Quasars"
---

# New Species of Horned Dinosaur Resembles The Triceratops

![](<https://futurism.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/rom-wendiceratops2.jpg>)
*CI-DINO-DIG Wendiceratops skeleton on display at the Royal Ontario Museum.     Uploaded by: Pelley, Lauren \<em\>Image: \<a href="http://www.thestar.com/content/dam/thestar/news/gta/2015/07/08/new-dinosaur-named-after-top-canadian-fossil-hunter/rom--wendiceratops2.jpg" target="\_blank"\>The Toronto Star\</a\>\</em\>*

### Centuries of Study

Since dinosaurs were[ first scientifically](<https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Megalosaurus>) studied and described in 1824, scientists have discovered 700 species. Much of the current research today attempts to understand the ecology, environment, evolution and decline of this fascinating genera. Now, scientists have discovered another species that closely resembles the horned triceratops!

### Wendiceratops

Researchers call the new species Wendiceratops and it is a cousin of the iconic Triceratops. It would have weighed over a ton and been about 20 feet long, with uniquely curved horns and an elaborate frill from its head. Over 200 bones of four individuals of the new species were discovered in the [infamous fossil graveyards](<https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dinosaur_Provincial_Park>) of Alberta in Canada. Believed to be living 79 million years ago, Wendiceratops is one of the oldest known member of the horned dinosaur family.

[![wendiceratops](<https://futurism.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/wendiceratops-1024x821-1.jpg>)](<https://futurism.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/wendiceratops.jpg>)
Public Library of Science

### Unfinished Exploration

It is because this new species is so old that scientists believe it can unlock much about the entire ceratopsian family. They hope to find exactly how and why the species had the conspicuous horns and large head frill. Were they meant for display or combat? Relatedly, excavators found tyrannosaurus rex teeth nearby, implying the constant competition the species fought against each other. Even with centuries of exploration, it is estimated there are still 700-900 species that have yet to be discovered; there is still much to learn about these ancient creatures.

Sources:[ Discover](<http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/d-brief/2015/07/08/horned-dinosaur-triceratops/#.VaAW3ZNVikp>),[ U.S. Geological Survey](<http://pubs.usgs.gov/gip/dinosaurs/types.html>)
Images: [The Toronto Star](<http://www.thestar.com/content/dam/thestar/news/gta/2015/07/08/new-dinosaur-named-after-top-canadian-fossil-hunter/rom--wendiceratops2.jpg>), [Public Library of Science](<http://www.thestar.com/content/dam/thestar/news/gta/2015/07/08/new-dinosaur-named-after-top-canadian-fossil-hunter/rom--wendiceratops2.jpg>)