direhorns

Direhorns are a genus of herbivorous dinosaur that lived during the Late Cretaceous period, approximately 75 to 66 million years ago. They are known from the fossil remains found in North America, particularly in the Hell Creek Formation of Montana and South Dakota. Direhorns are characterized by their distinctive, large, and curved horns, which are believed to have been used for defense or display purposes. The most well-known species is Direhorns latidens, which was one of the largest known dinosaurs, with an estimated length of up to 20 meters and a weight of around 15 tons.

Direhorns had a robust build, with powerful limbs and a large, muscular body. Their skull was broad and low, with a distinctive crest that supported the large horns. The horns were likely made of keratin, the same protein that makes up human hair and nails, and were likely shed and regrown periodically. Direhorns had a diverse diet, feeding on a variety of plants, including ferns, conifers, and angiosperms.

Direhorns were likely social animals, living in herds that may have been led by dominant males. They were also likely territorial, with males using their horns to defend their territory from other males. Direhorns went extinct along with the non-avian dinosaurs at the end of the Cretaceous period, likely due to a combination of factors, including climate change and the impact of a large asteroid.