The dinosaur that is often referred to as a “bunny” is Aquilops americanus. It is not actually a bunny, but it has been given this nickname due to its small size and cute appearance. Aquilops americanus is the oldest known relative of Triceratops found in North America.
Aquilops americanus is a fascinating dinosaur that lived during the Late Cretaceous period, approximately 108 to 104 million years ago. It was first discovered in Montana, USA, and has since been found in other parts of North America. The name Aquilops means “eagle face” in Latin, which refers to its beak-like snout.
This dinosaur was relatively small, measuring only about 2 feet in length. It had a slender body and long legs, which likely allowed it to move quickly and efficiently. Its skull was small and lightweight, with a beak at the front and a pair of small horns above its eyes. These horns were not as elaborate as those of its larger relatives like Triceratops.
One of the most interesting features of Aquilops americanus is its teeth. It had small, leaf-shaped teeth in the front of its mouth, which suggests that it primarily fed on vegetation. This is in contrast to the larger ceratopsian dinosaurs like Triceratops, which had more specialized teeth for chewing tough plant material.
Aquilops americanus is significant because it is the earliest known ceratopsian dinosaur from North America. Before its discovery, the oldest known ceratopsians were from Asia. This finding supports the idea that ceratopsians originated in Asia and later migrated to North America.
Studying Aquilops americanus and its relatives provides valuable insights into the evolution and diversification of ceratopsian dinosaurs. It helps us understand how these dinosaurs adapted to different environments and how they eventually evolved into the iconic Triceratops.
Aquilops americanus is a small dinosaur often referred to as a “bunny” due to its cute appearance. It is the oldest known relative of Triceratops found in North America and provides important information about the evolution of ceratopsian dinosaurs. While it may not be a bunny in the true sense, its small size and unique features make it a fascinating dinosaur to study.