Fossil Atlas — Specimen ProfileCatalog FA·CERA·1883
Plate 18 · Carnivore

CeratosaurusFossil map and specimen profile

Binomial Ceratosaurus nasicornis · seh-RAT-oh-SORE-us

Late Jurassic - 153-145 Ma

Classification
Theropod dinosaur
Family
Ceratosauridae
Genus / Species
Ceratosaurus nasicornis
Diet
Carnivore
Range
Late Jurassic records from the Morrison Formation and selected records from Portugal and Tanzania in the current source mix.
AI reconstruction of CeratosaurusAI reconstruction
Plate 18 — illustration, not fossil evidenceFA·CERA·1883
Quick provenance answer

Where have Ceratosaurus fossils been found?

Ceratosaurus fossil records in Fossil Atlas are mapped as selected modern discovery locations, with 24 source-backed records currently shown. Late Jurassic records from the Morrison Formation and selected records from Portugal and Tanzania in the current source mix. Key mapped formations in the current dataset include Morrison Fm, Morrison, Tacuarembó. These pins are fossil record locations, not a complete ancient habitat map.

This remains a specimen profile: the reconstruction, measurements, field account, and evidence sections stay intact. The fossil-map answer is surfaced here so visitors from search can orient themselves before reading the full dossier.

Mapped records
24
Modern range note
Late Jurassic records from the Morrison Formation and selected records from Portugal and Tanzania in the current source mix.
Key formations
Morrison Fm, Morrison, Tacuarembó
Map caveat
Modern fossil locations, not ancient habitat.
Field account

Ceratosaurus was a medium to large Late Jurassic theropod with a distinctive horned skull. Fossil Atlas uses selected records to connect the Morrison Formation with other Jurassic localities such as Lourinha and Tendaguru.

Built to scale

Size against a person

Drawn true to scale on a metre ruler.

0 m2468101214161820222426
Ceratosaurus6.7 m (22 ft)Adult human — 1.8 m4× longer than a person is tall
Field measurements

Measurements & capabilities

MeasuredEstimate

Length

measured

6.7 m · 22 ft

Largest known specimens

Height

measured

2.1 m (7 ft)

Body mass

estimate

700 kg · 1,540 lb

Typical adult

Top speed

estimate

40 km/h · 25 mph

Modelled, debated

Known from

Fossil evidence

01Skulls
02Teeth
03Partial skeletons
04Horned skull material
Key formations
Morrison FmMorrisonTacuarembóTendaguruLourinhãAlcobaça
Geologic timeline

When they lived

Position of this animal’s known range across 252 million years of the Mesozoic and beyond.

252 MaToday

153-145 million years ago

From the notebook

Field notes

01

Ceratosaurus had a distinctive nasal horn and bony ornaments above the eyes.

02

Its record helps connect North American and European Jurassic fossil pages.

03

Fossil Atlas uses its records to make the Jurassic predator set less Allosaurus-only.

Modern discovery map

Ceratosaurus fossil discovery map

Pins show selected fossil records for Ceratosaurus; use them as modern discovery evidence, not a complete range map. Modern fossil discovery map: pins show where selected fossil and specimen records were found today, not ancient Earth positions. What does this mean?

Modern Fossil Discovery Map

Specimen evidence

Museum images and 3D records

These are sourced specimen assets, separate from the AI reconstruction. Only media with clear open or reusable rights is displayed by default.

Ceratosaurus sp. (YPM VP 000319). Digital Image: Yale Peabody Museum; photo by Division of Vertebrate Paleontology, Yale Peabody Museum 2016
Specimen image

Ceratosaurus sp. (YPM VP 000319). Digital Image: Yale Peabody Museum; photo by Division of Vertebrate Paleontology, Yale Peabody Museum 2016

Division of Vertebrate Paleontology, Yale Peabody Museum

CC0idigbio
View source
Research notes

Ceratosaurus fossil map FAQ

Where have Ceratosaurus fossils been found?

Ceratosaurus is represented here by selected fossil records from late jurassic records from the morrison formation and selected records from portugal and tanzania in the current source mix. Fossil Atlas maps those records as modern discovery locations.

Is this map where Ceratosaurus lived?

No. The map shows modern fossil discovery locations from selected records. Ancient habitat and paleogeographic reconstructions are separate questions.

What formation is Ceratosaurus associated with here?

The current Fossil Atlas records include Morrison Fm. Formation coverage depends on the selected dataset and may not be complete.

Can I make a Ceratosaurus expedition card?

Yes. Use the expedition card generator to turn the Ceratosaurus map and specimen profile into a shareable card.

Data sources

Attribution

Caveats

Important notes

Selected fossil records from PBDB and museum biodiversity aggregators. Source labels and confidence notes help distinguish canonical paleobiology records from specimen-media records.

Reconstruction images are labeled illustrations and do not represent fossil evidence. Size, speed, and bite-force figures are typical published estimates and remain subject to revision as new specimens are described.

Trust note

Selected source-backed records

Maps use curated PBDB, museum, and specimen-source records with visible caveats.

Trust note

Modern discovery locations

Pins show where fossils were found or reported today, not exact ancient habitat positions.

Trust note

Reconstruction is not evidence

Artwork is labeled separately from specimen photos, maps, and source records.

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