Paleontologists have unveiled a stunning new dinosaur called Lokiceratops, which stands out with its eye-catching frill and dramatic horns. The Late Cretaceous era giant was part of a lush setting where herds of horned dinosaurs thrived, but teasing apart their habitats has long been tricky due to scattered fossil beds.
A partial skull discovered in northern Montana is changing that picture, revealing that dinosaur neighborhoods were busier and more partitioned than expected. The fossil belongs to a one-of-a-kind ceratopsian, hinting at the diverse horn designs of its time.
Lokiceratops’ name translates to “Loki’s horned face that looks like a caribou,” reflecting its resemblance to the Norse god. Its frill features sweeping, blade-shaped spikes and two asymmetrical horns, while its neck shield draws attention with an ornate design.
The team’s analysis lists Lokiceratops as the owner of the largest frill horns ever documented in a ceratopsian, suggesting that these dinosaurs used their displays for mate selection or species recognition. The discovery highlights the role of social display in driving diversity among horned dinosaurs and reveals the value of keeping fossils in public trust.
A full-scale replica now greets visitors at the Museum of Evolution in Denmark, while the original fossil rests safely at the museum. Researchers worldwide can test new ideas against the real bones, while visitors young and old can marvel at the creature that turned vanity into art.
Source: https://www.earth.com/news/horned-dinosaur-species-lokiceratops-rangiformis-is-largest-most-ornate-ever-found