Triceratops vs Tyrannosaurus Differences and Comparison

Overview: Triceratops vs Tyrannosaurus

Triceratops and Tyrannosaurus Rex are well known dinosaur species that we are mostly aware of from books museums and as seen in movie Jurassic Park and its sequels. but most of us can only imagine how would it be to live along side these giant reptiles in their period.

While triceratops is easy to recognize as they have a large frill, three horns on their skull, and are quadrupedal; Tyrannosaurus (T-Rex) has its fame due to its ferocious aggressive look, it had a heavy head, long-sharp teeth, long tail and was bipedal. Both of them existed during the same period hence they are contemporaries. As dinosaurs interest you like me then an intriguing question might arise in your mind, who would have won if a dinosaur battle occurred between them. despite what you might have heard in Jurassic Park T. Rex probably wasn’t the swiftest dinosaur,They are not alive so we cannot know much about them but based on their different characteristics we can predict the winner, so let’s know about these two.

Period of Existence: Rex vs triceratops

Triceratops belonged to the late cretaceous period about 68-65.5 million years ago. Rex lived right alongside Triceratops in the same period. Both of them were the last dinosaur species that got extinct after the mass extinction.

Anatomical structure:

Triceratops was somewhat similar to modern-day rhinoceros although they were enormous. nevertheless, The plant-eating dinosaurs of the late Cretaceous period weren’t the smartest ones. Triceratops 7.9-9 m long, 3 m in height, and weighed around 6.1-12 ton. It had 3 horns, 2 on both eyes and a smaller one on its snout which is supported by its large and heavy head. It had four-hoofed feet as it was quadrupedal. Tyrannosaurus rex was the largest carnivore of its time which was 12.3 m long and 4 m in height at hips weighing around 4.5+7.2 tonnes. T-rex was a muscular, short-necked, heavy-headed, long-tailed, powerful, and strong dinosaur that walked on two legs. It also had two small-clawed forelimbs.

Diet:

What did Triceratops eat?

Triceratops or to be specific Triceratops horridus was herbivorous dinosaur which grazed and ate grass, shrubs, and small plants.

What did Rex eat?

Tyrannosaurus rex was a carnivore that fed on other smaller herbivores.it is believed that Triceratops may have gored its predators.

Habitat: T-Rex vs Triceratops

Where did Triceratops live?

Based on fossil distribution, triceratops lived in regions of North America and Canada.Triceratops was genus of herbivorous dinosaur called ceratopsid that appeared during the late Maastrichtian stage of late Cretaceous period. Triceratops lived in plains, forests, and dry areas where the availability of vegetation is sufficient. It was herbivorous and ate ferns, palms, grass, leaves, and cycads.

Where did Tyrannosaurus Rex live?

Tyrannosaurus fossils are also found in a similar region of the USA (Montana, Texas, Utah), Canada (Alberta, Saskatchewan), and East Asia.. Tyrannosaurus lived in a semi-tropical humid environment, open forests along the riverbanks, swamps, and marshes. It fed on other herbivorous dinosaurs like a triceratops.

What is a Hell Creek? Where is it located?

IT is a rock formation in North America, dating the end of the Cretaceous Period around 65.5 million years ago. its name originated from Creek Formation near Jordan and Montana. The formations consists a series brackish water clay’s and mud-stones that holds the fossils of invertebrates,mammals, plants, fish, reptiles,amphibians and dinosaurs such as Tyrannosaurus Rex and Triceratops.

Behavior: Rex vs Triceratops

How did Triceratops behave?

As per the fossil evidences; triceratops fossils were found comprising in groups which signify triceratops might have lived in small groups.

How did T-Rex behave?

Tyrannosaurus is solitary hunter; it relied on sharp teeth, strong jaws, triceratops frill, muscular legs to charge attack on their prey.

Fun Facts for kids:

Some interesting facts about Triceratops?

• Triceratops is the Greek word that means “three-horned face” whereas Tyrannosaurus Rex means “tyrant lizard king”.
• The head of the triceratops is the largest of all animals ever existed on earth.
• Triceratops had around 800 teeth.

Some interesting facts about Tyrannosaurus Rex?

• In a single bite, Rex could rip 100 kg of flesh off their prey.
• Tyrannosaurus could run at a maximum of 40 km/h while a triceratops could hardly reach 32 km/h.
• By 2022 North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences plans on displaying the dueling dinosaur fossils.
• Museum of Natural history for the National Geographic Society painted a mural of these cretaceous dinosaurs.

Dinosaur Battle: Who would win?

The cretaceous period was a very dangerous place to be probably a lot happened back then. Rex and Triceratops battle would be the deadliest one. Triceratops had three large horns which they might have used to attack their predators. However, triceratops stands no chance to kill the Tyrannosaurus ; T-Rex was a very smart, powerful, and agile dinosaur capable to dodge any attack of a triceratops. In a one-on-one fight, tyrannosaurus was invincible which all boils down to triceratops losing the battle. Hence, the “tyrant lizard king” is the winner of this dinosaur battle.

Comparison Chart: Triceratops vs Rex

Comparison Heads	Triceratops	Tyrannosaurus
Kingdom	Animalia	Animalia
Phylum	Chordata	Chordata
Class	Reptilia	Reptilia
Clad	Dinosauria	Dinosauria
Family	Ceratopsidae	Tyrannosauridae
Subfamily	Charmosaurinae	Tyrannosaurinae
Genus	Triceratops	Tyrannosaurus
Period of Existence	Late Cretaceous (68-65.5 million year ago)	Late Cretaceous
Weight	6-12 tonnes	10-12 tonnes
Height	3 m	4 m up to hips
Length	7.9-9 m	About 14 m
Movement	Quadrupedal	Bipedal

Comparison Video: Tyrannosaurus rex and Triceratops

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9CLVcfXZdPM

FAQ’s-Frequently Asked Questions