|
Einiosaurus is one of the oddest and most peculiar ceratopsians and its most striking and noticable feature is its downward curving horn. The name Einiosaurus translates to "buffalo lizard" and this name was given for the animals large size and appearance. Einiosaurus lived in what is now Montana and its remains are known only from that area, living alongside animals such as Daspletosaurus. Einiosaurus had typical ceratopsian features including its frill, adorned with bony knobs as well as a parrot like beak. Despite this Einiosaurus's horn distinguishes it as this horn is not seen in any other known ceratopsian species. At first glance one might assume the horn shape could be the result of a deformity, however multiple remains conclude that this feature was certainly no abnormality. The use of the horn is unknown as it would not fair well in terms of defense due to its irregular shape. Nonetheless some scientist theorize that the horn was a display feature used to impress mates or even as a form of species recognition to distinguish it from the various other ceratopsian species present at the time. We have a fairly decent understanding of this animal as multiple remain are known, suggesting that these animals lived in large groups similar to that of modern day bison or wildebeest. Einiosaurus is a member of the centrosaurinae and are often found in large groups, hinting that they were more social animals as opposed to other ceratopsid groups like the chasmosaurinae that are often found alone or in smaller groups. Furthermore the collection of 15 individuals has offered insight into the growth of these animals as the specimens are of various ages. For the first 3-5 years of development they grew rapidly in size but this growth gradually slowed as they reached sexual maturity.
|