About Triceratops fossils
Triceratops is a genus of ornithischians, the horned, armoured and duck-billed group. The database records 4 species of it: Ojoceratops fowleri, Tatankaceratops sacrisonorum, Triceratops horridus and Triceratops prorsus.
The 166 finds on the map come from 2 countries. The United States has the most, with 149 (90%). Within the United States the most finds are in Wyoming (62), Montana (47), South Dakota (20), New Mexico (7) and 3 more.
The rock formation with the most finds is called Lance, with 68. The rocks are 83.6 to 66 million years ago, in the Cretaceous period.
Genus of Late Cretaceous ceratopsids. (Description from Wikidata, CC0.)
Read about Triceratops on Wikipedia.
- 166finds
- 2countries
- 83.6oldest, million years ago
- 66youngest, million years ago
10% of these finds are marked approximate in the database, so their dots may sit some way from the real site.
Which countries have Triceratops fossils?
| Country | Finds | Share |
|---|---|---|
| United States | 149 | 90% |
| Canada | 17 | 10% |
US states
- Wyoming (62)
- Montana (47)
- South Dakota (20)
- New Mexico (7)
- North Dakota (7)
- Colorado (5)
- Utah (1)
Rock formations that produced Triceratops
A formation is a named body of rock. These are the ones with the most Triceratops finds.
| Formation | Finds |
|---|---|
| Lance | 68 |
| Hell Creek | 65 |
| Frenchman | 14 |
| Ojo Alamo | 6 |
| Laramie | 3 |
| Denver | 2 |
| Ferris | 2 |
| Scollard | 2 |
| Dinosaur Park | 1 |
| Evanston | 1 |
Other dinosaurs found in United States
- Richardoestesia (239)
- Saurornitholestes (148)
- Allosaurus (147)
- Paronychodon (141)
- Camarasaurus (138)
- Iguanodon (132)
- Troodon (103)
- Stegosaurus (86)
- Edmontosaurus (85)
- Tyrannosaurus (85)
More to explore
Before you go fossil hunting. A dot shows where a find was recorded, not where you may dig. Many fossil sites are on private or protected land and collecting rules differ by country. Check the rules before collecting and never dig on protected sites.
Questions about Triceratops
Where was Triceratops found?
Triceratops fossils are recorded in the Paleobiology Database from United States and Canada. Most of the 166 finds on this map (149) are from United States. The rock formation with the most finds is the Lance (68).
How old are Triceratops fossils?
Finds of Triceratops on this map date from 83.6 to 66 million years ago, which is the Cretaceous period. Ages are ranges, because rock layers are dated to a stage and not to a single year.
Where can I see Triceratops fossils near me?
Open the map and press Near me to list the nearest dinosaur finds and the most notable dinosaurs found around you. Remember that a dot shows where scientists recorded a find, not where you can dig: many fossil sites are on private or protected land, so check the rules before collecting and never dig on protected sites.