Askeptosaurus

Askeptosaurus is a genus of herbivorous ornithopod dinosaur that lived during the Late Cretaceous period, approximately 75 million years ago. It is known from a single species, Askeptosaurus magnicornis, which was discovered in the Hell Creek Formation of North Dakota, USA. The name Askeptosaurus means "frightening lizard," derived from the Greek words "askos" meaning "frightening" and "sauros" meaning "lizard."

Askeptosaurus is one of the largest known ornithopods, with an estimated length of around 12 meters (39 feet) and a weight of up to 6.5 metric tons (7.2 short tons). It had a long, low body, short forelimbs, and a long tail. The most distinctive feature of Askeptosaurus is its large, curved horns on the snout, which were likely used for defense or display. The horns were supported by a unique bony structure in the skull, which is not found in any other known dinosaur.

The diet of Askeptosaurus is thought to have consisted mainly of low-growing plants, as its teeth were adapted for grinding rather than cutting. It is believed to have been a social animal, with multiple individuals often found together in fossil deposits. Askeptosaurus is an important member of the ornithopod family, providing valuable insights into the evolution of these dinosaurs and their role in Late Cretaceous ecosystems.