“Horned lizard” roamed here once. Now you see its likeness in this Ceratosaurus nasicornis sculpture. This fiberglass sculpture stands near the Denver Museum of Nature & Science Garage. Artist Gary Staab created it in 2008.
The Ceratosaurus nasicornis sculpture is photogenic. Many visitors find it family-friendly. Some say it is thought-provoking. Others consider it a hidden gem. A few even find it interactive.
Ceratosaurus nasicornis lived about 150 million years ago. Its fossils are rare. They are instantly recognizable by the horn on its nose. Two other horny bumps sit over its eyes. Ceratosaurus means “horned lizard”.
This dinosaur grew to about 25 feet long. It had bony armor along its back. This is unlike most carnivorous dinosaurs. Ceratosaurus is rarer than its cousin Allosaurus.
Ceratosaurus fossils were found in Utah, Colorado, Wyoming, and Oklahoma. A complete skeleton is housed at the Natural History Museum of Utah. The Cleveland-Lloyd Dinosaur Quarry yielded this specimen.
Paleontologists aren’t sure what the horn-like crests were for. Perhaps they attracted mates. Maybe they helped Ceratosaurus recognize its species. Or they served another unknown purpose.
Ceratosaurus was an early member of Ceratosauria. This group later thrived in South America and Africa. Carnotaurus and Majungasaurus are related species. In Utah, Ceratosaurus shared its home with Allosaurus and Torvosaurus. Paleontologists believe these carnivores had different roles in the ecosystem. They likely ate different prey.
Gary Staab’s Ceratosaurus nasicornis sculpture brings this ancient predator to life. It allows us to imagine the world it inhabited. The artist has immortalized it here. The Ceratosaurus nasicornis sculpture creates wonder. It sparks curiosity about prehistoric life. Take a moment to appreciate this artwork. Think about the “horned lizard” that once roamed the earth.