Ferrisaurus was a small, plant-eating dinosaur that lived during the Late Cretaceous period, about 68 million years ago. It was a member of the leptoceratopsid family, a group of hornless ceratopsians closely related to Triceratops.

Where was Ferrisaurus discovered?

Ferrisaurus was discovered in British Columbia, Canada, in rocks from the Nanaimo Group. It is the first non-avian dinosaur species named from that province.

What does the name Ferrisaurus mean?

The name Ferrisaurus means 'iron lizard.' It was chosen to honor British Columbia’s industrial heritage and the region where the fossils were found.

When did Ferrisaurus live?

Ferrisaurus lived during the Late Cretaceous period, approximately 68 million years ago, just before the mass extinction event that ended the age of dinosaurs.

Who discovered and named Ferrisaurus?

Ferrisaurus was described and named in 2019 by paleontologist Victoria Arbour and colleagues. The fossils had been part of a museum collection for decades before being formally studied and identified.

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Dinosaurs: Ferrisaurus (Iron Lizard)

Q: How big was Ferrisaurus?

Ferrisaurus was relatively small compared to other ceratopsians, estimated to be about 1.75 meters (6 feet) long and weighing around 150 kilograms (330 pounds).

Q: What did Ferrisaurus eat?

Ferrisaurus was an herbivore that fed on low-growing vegetation. Its beak and cheek teeth were well-suited for cropping and grinding tough plant material.

What is a Ferrisaurus?

Ferrisaurus was a small, plant-eating dinosaur that lived during the Late Cretaceous Period, about 68 million years ago in what is now Canada. Its name means “iron lizard,” and it is known for its stocky build and beaked mouth. Although not as famous as some of its dinosaur cousins, Ferrisaurus is special because it was the first dinosaur of its kind found in British Columbia!

How big was Ferrisaurus?

Ferrisaurus was a relatively small dinosaur. It grew to about 1.75 metres (about 6 feet) long and was roughly the size of a large dog or goat. It stood less than 1 metre (3 feet) tall at the hip and weighed around 150 kilograms (about as much as a large sheep). Despite its size, Ferrisaurus had a strong, sturdy body and tough legs, perfect for walking through forests and brush.

Appearance

Ferrisaurus had a short, parrot-like beak, a long tail, and a stocky body. It walked on all four legs but could probably rear up on its hind legs to reach higher plants. Unlike some of its more famous relatives, Ferrisaurus did not have horns or frills. Its feet were sturdy, and its toes were well adapted for walking over rough ground. The skin texture of Ferrisaurus is not known for sure, but it likely had scaly skin like other dinosaurs in its family.

A realistic rendering of a Ferrisaurus dinosaur in a prehistoric foreest setting. Ferrisaurus

Generative AI Notiﬁcation: Some elements of this image have been created or enhanced using AI technology. To find out how we create all our dinosaurs, click here.

What did Ferrisaurus eat?

Ferrisaurus was a herbivore, which means it only ate plants. Its beak and teeth were well suited for nipping and chewing tough leaves, stems, and possibly even fruit. Scientists believe Ferrisaurus used its jaws to crop low-growing plants, making it an important part of its prehistoric ecosystem.

Where did Ferrisaurus live?

Ferrisaurus lived in what is now British Columbia, Canada, when the area was covered with forests, rivers, and swamps. It shared its world with larger dinosaurs, crocodiles, turtles, and many types of plants. Its fossils were discovered in rocks that formed from riverbeds, showing it liked to live near water.

Did Ferrisaurus have feathers?

There is no evidence that Ferrisaurus had feathers. Most scientists think it had scaly skin, similar to other small plant-eating dinosaurs from the same time period.

Did Ferrisaurus have horns or armour?

No, Ferrisaurus was not armoured and did not have horns or spikes. Unlike the famous Triceratops, Ferrisaurus belonged to a group called leptoceratopsids, which were smaller and did not have large head crests or horns. Its main defence was probably its speed and its ability to hide in thick vegetation.

Interesting facts

First in British Columbia: Ferrisaurus is the first unique dinosaur species named from British Columbia.
Leptoceratopsid Relative: Ferrisaurus was a close cousin of Leptoceratops, another small, plant-eating dinosaur.
Rare Find: Only one partial skeleton of Ferrisaurus has been found so far, so scientists are still learning about it!
Discovery: The first bones were discovered in 1971, but Ferrisaurus was only officially named in 2019.

a realistic rendering of a Ferrisaurus dinosaur on a white background.

mage showing a size comparison between an adult Ferrisaurus dinosaur (right) versus a human adult (left).

Ferrisaurus Facts

Pronounced: fer-ih-SORE-us

Name Means: "Iron Lizard"

Length: up to 1.75 m (6 feet)

Height: about 1 m (3 feet) at the hip

Weight: around 150 kg (330 pounds)

Diet: Herbivore (plants)

Time: Late Cretaceous (about 68 million years ago)

Fossils Found: North America (British Columbia, Canada)

Which family of Dinosaurs did Ferrisaurus belong to?

Ferrisaurus was part of the leptoceratopsid family, a group of small, beaked dinosaurs related to the more famous horned dinosaurs like Triceratops. Leptoceratopsids are known for their strong jaws and parrot-like beaks, but unlike Triceratops, they did not have frills or horns.

How did Ferrisaurus move?

Ferrisaurus was built for walking, with strong legs and sturdy feet. It probably was not very fast, but it could move quickly enough to escape danger and search for food. Its small size and agility may have helped it avoid larger predators.

What other dinosaurs lived at the same time as Ferrisaurus?

Tyrannosaurus rex: The mighty meat-eater, king of the dinosaurs.
Triceratops: The famous three-horned plant-eater.
Ankylosaurus: The armoured dinosaur with a clubbed tail.
Edmontosaurus: A large, duck-billed plant-eater.
Pachycephalosaurus: The dome-headed dinosaur.

Ferrisaurus FAQ

Q1: What is a Ferrisaurus?

A1: Ferrisaurus is a genus of small, herbivorous dinosaurs that lived during the Early Cretaceous period, around 100 to 120 million years ago. They are known for their parrot-like beaks.

Q2: What does Ferrisaurus mean?

A2: Ferrisaurus means "Iron lizard", named for the Iron Mountain range near where it was found.

Q3: Was Ferrisaurus a carnivore?

A3: No, it was a plant-eater (herbivore).

Q4: How big was Ferrisaurus?

A4: Ferrisaurus was about 1.75 metres (6 feet) long and 1 metre (3 feet) tall.

Q5: Did Ferrisaurus have horns?

A5: No, Ferrisaurus did not have horns or a frill.

Q6: Where did Ferrisaurus live?

A6: Ferrisaurus lived In what is now British Columbia, Canada.

Q7: Was Ferrisaurus fast?

A7: Ferrisaurus could probably walk quickly, but was not a fast runner.

Q8: Did Ferrisaurus live at the same time as T. rex?

A8: Yes, Ferrisaurus lived at the same time as T. rex and other Late Cretaceous dinosaurs.

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