The theropod Ceratosaurus lived during the Late Jurassic period, approximately 150 million years ago, primarily in the floodplains of the Morrison Formation in North America and Europe. This large, bipedal predator is recognizable by the prominent, bony horn on its snout and smaller ridges above its eyes. Due to the scarcity of its remains compared to contemporaries like Allosaurus, studying its diet requires careful paleontological deduction. Scientists examine the fossil record, including tooth shape and environmental context, to determine what this distinctive carnivore consumed.
Defining the Carnivore’s Menu
Ceratosaurus was an apex carnivore, but it likely targeted different prey than the larger predators it coexisted with. Its primary terrestrial diet consisted of smaller, faster herbivorous dinosaurs, such as ornithischians like Camptosaurus and Dryosaurus. It may also have hunted the vulnerable juveniles of colossal sauropods common in the Morrison Formation.
The presence of multiple large theropods, including Allosaurus and Torvosaurus, suggests Ceratosaurus practiced niche partitioning to avoid direct competition. This unique ecological role involved active predation and scavenging. Scavenging is demonstrated by probable Ceratosaurus tooth marks found on the bones of its larger competitor, Allosaurus.
Unique Features of the Hunting Apparatus
The anatomical features of Ceratosaurus’s skull and dentition indicate a preference for slicing flesh rather than crushing bone. Its deep jaws supported a row of proportionally long, blade-like teeth, a distinctive trait among Morrison theropods. The highly curved and serrated teeth were ideal tools for gripping and inflicting deep, slashing wounds.
This morphology suggests a specialized hunting style focused on precision cutting and rapid blood loss, unlike the powerful bone-crushing force seen in other large carnivores. The prominent nasal horn and brow ridges were likely used for social display or species recognition. Their light construction suggests they were too fragile for use in combat or processing food.
Aquatic Influence on Feeding Habits
Fossil distribution offers evidence that Ceratosaurus frequently hunted in or near water, significantly influencing its diet diversity. Statistical analyses show that Ceratosaurus remains are most commonly found in water-associated habitats, such as wet floodplains, lake margins, and swamps. This pattern contrasts with Allosaurus fossils, which are distributed more equally across terrestrial and aquatic environments.
This habitat preference suggests the predator supplemented its diet with aquatic prey, showcasing dietary flexibility. Potential non-dinosaurian meals included sizable fish, turtles, and crocodilians. Furthermore, the structure of its tail, featuring tall neural spines and deep chevron bones, suggests it was adapted for powerful sculling to aid in swimming and hunting in water.