Albertaceratops

Unique Horns and Defense Mechanism

The most distinctive feature of Albertaceratops was the unique arrangement of its horns.
While many other ceratopsians had a large horn on their nose, Albertaceratops had two large horns on its brow and two large horns on the top of its frill.

It had two large horns on its brow and two more on the top of its frill.

These horns are believed to have helped protect it from the biting attacks of Tyrannosaurus.
It may also have swung its head from side to side, using its horns like a pickaxe.

It may have swung its head from side to side, using its horns like a pickaxe.

This unique defense mechanism suggests that Albertaceratops had its own unique survival strategy within its ecosystem.

Confusion Surrounding Its Naming

Before being officially described, Albertaceratops was for a time referred to by the name Medusaceratops.
However, the name Medusaceratops is now used for a different ceratopsian genus.

Thus, based on its unique horn arrangement, it is speculated that Albertaceratops had its own distinct defensive strategy in its ecosystem.
Future discoveries of more fossils are expected to unravel the remaining mysteries of this dinosaur.