New dinosaur fossils in Canada

Scientists have discovered the most primitive herbivore dinosaur found in Canada.

Dinosaurs have horns Xenoceratops. (Photo: LiveScience)

The identified fossil of horned dinosaur Xenoceratops , more than 6 meters long, beak like parrots, two long horns, spines growing on the back and weighing more than two tons.

A statement published last month in the "Canadian Earth Science" magazine said Xenoceratops means "strange horny face" specializing in grass, in southern Alberta, about 400km from Calgary. Xenoceratops horns allow researchers to identify it as a new large-horned dinosaur.

According to Dr. Michael Ryan, author of the study, Xenoceratops is the most primitive herbivorous dinosaur found in Canada. The discovery of one of the oldest species of horned dinosaurs gives scientists the idea of ​​how this species evolved. Beginning 80 million years ago, the large horned dinosaurs in North America experienced an explosion of evolution.

The co-author of the study, Dr. David Evans of the Ontario Royal Museum, said the horn shape would indicate whether the dinosaurs were mature enough and found a mate.

The discovery of the horned dinosaur fossil is a 50-year collaborative effort by the South Alberta dinosaur project. The project aims to explore the Stone Age 80 million years ago and how dinosaurs appear.