Triceratops

Triceratops was a huge dinosaur that lived a very long time ago. Its name means three-horned face. It had three big horns on its head and a large bony shield on its neck.

This dinosaur was as long as three school buses parked end to end. It was as heavy as ten elephants! Triceratops walked on four strong legs and had a big, heavy body. It looked a bit like a rhinoceros, but much, much bigger.

The three horns and the big shield on its neck were very special. Scientists used to think these were just for fighting enemies. Now they think the horns and shield helped dinosaurs recognize each other. They also used them to show off and find mates.

Triceratops lived about 66 million years ago in a place that is now North America. It was one of the last dinosaurs to ever live on Earth. A huge space rock crashed into Earth and killed all the dinosaurs, including Triceratops.

Scientists have found many Triceratops fossils, which are bones left in the ground. They found babies, teenagers, and grown-ups. Today, Triceratops is one of the most famous dinosaurs. You see it in movies, on stamps, and in toys all the time!