Styracosaurus (Spiked Lizard) is a large North American dinosaur. It is an adoptable animal in Zoo Tycoon and Zoo Tycoon 2.
Description[]
Styracosaurus is a member of the ceratopsid family of dinosaurs from the Cretaceous Period. It had six long horns extending from its neck frill, a smaller horn above each of its eyes, and a single horn protruding from its nose at 60 centimeters (2 feet) long and 15 centimeters (6 inches) wide. It was a large dinosaur, reaching lengths of 5 meters (18 feet) and weighing as much as 3 tons. It stood about 1.8 meters (6 feet) tall.
The first fossil remains of Styracosaurus were discovered in Alberta, Canada in 1913, in an area now known as the Dinosaur Provincial Park. Styracosaurus possessed four short legs and a bulky body, and was probably able to achieve speeds of up to 32 kilometers per hour (20 miles per hour). Its large beak and cheek teeth indicate that its diet was herbivorous and composed mostly of cycads, palms, and other prehistoric plants. Like other ceratopsians, this dinosaur was most likely a herd animal, traveling in large groups and caring for its young after they hatched. Further evidence of this exists in the discovery of a bone bed in Arizona, USA, with about 100 Styracosaurus fossils.
Zoo Tycoon[]
Styracosaurus is an adoptable animal in Zoo Tycoon and was added as part of the Dinosaur Digs expansion pack. In Freeform mode, it is one of five prehistoric animals available for adoption at the start of the game.
Styracosaurus is a deciduous forest animal, but also likes patches of grass, dirt and sand, as well as a large body of fresh water for drinking. Their favourite foliage is the Ginkgo Tree or other dinosaur based trees such as Magnolia Tree. Styracosaurus is extremely social, and requires at least five individuals in its enclosure to be happy.
 Animal Facts
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Originating from what is now the northwestern United States and Canada, Styracosaurus, or "spiked lizard," is a herbivore with an armament. a two-foot-long bony spike juts up like a rhino's from its nose, and six more large spikes thrust out from its neck fringe. as cruel-looking as these spikes appear, Styracosaurus use them primarily for defense and spends most of its time calmly chomping with its beak at low-growing cycads and other vegetation. Around the size of an average mini-van, but a good deal heftier at three tons, Styracosaurus is always seen down on its four legs, in comparison to some of the lankier bipedal dinosaurs like Spinosaurus, Styracosaurus' legs may appear rather short. However, they are actually able to move quite fast and can reach speeds of up to 20 miles per hour when necessary If threatened, Styracosaurus bring their impressive spikes into play. Larger adults in a herd will charge at a predator and try to impale it. Even the mightiest of carnivores risk disembowelment and death should they try to prey on a herd of healthy Styracosaurus. Adult Styracosaurus have also been witnessed interposing themselves between predators and juvenile Styracosaurus. whether this is merely by happenstance or some kind of instinct is unknown. |
Zoo Tycoon 2[]
Styracosaurus is an adoptable animal in Zoo Tycoon 2 and was added as part of the Dino Danger Pack. In Campaign and Challenge Mode, it can be adopted once a zoo reaches a rating of 1 star.
Styracosaurus is a Tropical Rainforest animal. Like all dinosaurs in the pack, it will use the Dinosaur Prey Dummy as enrichment and will build nests to lay their eggs. If enough individuals (around 4-6) are exhibited, they will herd together. Males may occasionally fight with each other.
Styracosaurus is also available in the Extinct Animals expansion pack and, if the Dino Danger Pack has already been installed, it is modified to match the other dinosaurs. In comparison to the Dino Danger model, Styracosaurus has a more faded coloration. If stressed, it will rampage.
 zootycoon.com Description
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Dino Danger PackStyracosaurus was a plant-eating dinosaur that lived during the early Cretaceous Period, 65 million years ago. It was an ancestor of Triceratops, with one large horn on its snout, a small horn above each eye, and a spiked neck frill for protection from predators such as T. rex. Like Triceratops, Styracosaurus used its sharp beak to cut leaves from low-growing foliage, such as cycads, and its powerful jaws to chew the tough leaves. A large bone bed with approximately 100 Styracosaurus fossils indicates that Styracosaurus traveled in herds. Extinct AnimalsStyracosaurus, an ancestor of Triceratops, was dressed with an impressive variety of protective horns and spikes: It had one large horn on its snout, a smaller horn above each eye, and an attractive neck frill ridged with dangerous spikes. It likely used the frill not only for protection from predators such as T. rex but also as a display during mating combats. The underside of the neck frill contained a dense network of blood vessels that regulated body temperature. In spite of its ferocious looks, Styracosaurus was probably a neighborly creature that lived in herds. |
 Zoopedia Description
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The Styracosaurus was a herbivore (plant-eater) that lived over 65 million years ago during the Cretaceous Period. The Styracosaurus was a minor ancestor of the Triceratops and lived around 10 million years before it. An adult Styracosaurus reached an average length of 5 m and a height of 1.8 m, and could weigh up to 3 t. It had a large horn on its snout and a very small horn over each of its eyes, as well as a neck shield with several long spikes. The neck shield provided protection from carnivores like the tyrannosaur, making it appear larger and more menacing (and perhaps more attractive in courtship rituals). Like the triceratops, the styracosaurus had a sharp beak, which it could use to sever the leaves of low-growing plants like cycads, and powerful jaws, with which he could also chew solid leaves well. The Styracosaurus was discovered in 1915 in Red Deer Valley, Alberta, Canada. A large bone bed with approximately 100 Styracosaurus fossils was also discovered in Arizona. which indicates that Styracosaurus traveled in herds.
Fun Facts
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Gallery[]
Zoo Tycoon[]
Zoo Tycoon 2[]
Trivia[]
- In the Dino Danger Pack for Zoo Tycoon 2, baby Styracosaurus were originally going to be green, rather than orange or brown, however this texture goes unused.
- The Styracosaurus roar in Zoo Tycoon uses the stock sound effects used in other video games.
- Due to a coding error, the Styracosaurus' biome terrain requirements in Zoo Tycoon adds up to 95 instead of 100, making it more difficult to satisfy its biome terrain requirements.