Chasmosaurus was a genus of ceratopsid dinosaur from Canada in the Cretaceous. The name means \"opening lizard,\" in reference to the large openings in its ornament. In 1898, it was unearthed by Lawrence Lambe along the Red Deer River, Alberta. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Chasmosaurus ornament was described as \"heart-shaped\" because the bone structure was formed by two large \"loops\" of a central bone. It had injected blood into the area to make the frill more brightly colored to draw attention to its size or as part of a mating display. Despite its large frill, it was weak and had not provided much functional defense nor was it used for temperature control. It had three main horns on the face, one on the nose and two on the brow. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

It was of medium size, similar to its relatives, Triceratops and Sinoceratops. Chasmosaurus had a large skull, four sturdy legs with hoof-like claws, a bulky body and a short, pointed tail. In addition, they hatched from eggs that had been cared for by adults... It moved in herds like the other ceratopsians.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Chasmosaurus was a herbivore; it ate cycads, palms and other prehistoric plants with its hard beak. Its cheek teeth could help it chew plants well. It walked on four short legs. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Chasmosaurus was a rhinoceros-like dinosaur that was 5 to 8 meters long and weighed about 3220 kg.<\/p>\n\n\n\n