The lizard belongs to a previously unknown species of Triceratops.
American nuclear physicist bill Shipp Bill Shipp) found a dinosaur bone. 10 years later, paleontologists have found that this lizard belongs to a previously unknown species of Triceratops. The animal is described in the journal PLOS One.
Shipp became fascinated with paleontology in retirement and asked professionals to teach him how to look for fossils. Soon in the territory of Montana, he found the bone of a female Triceratops Judith (nickname the lizard got on geological formations, Judith river, where it was discovered).
After a few years, paleontologists studied the bones of Judith and came to the conclusion that she belonged to a new kind — called it Spiclypeus shipporum (in honor of the discoverer, as well as the Latin phrase “studded shield”).
Found in Utah, the second individual is allowed to define the appearance of a dinosaur. Instead of three horns it smooth “collar” was covered with numerous spikes sticking out in different directions. In addition, an extra pair of horns hung over his eye sockets.
75 million years ago the area of Montana where they found Judith, was covered with swamps, and nearby was located the sea. Fossils preserved by the bentonite and the claystone (shale).
The analysis of bones Judith indicated the age of her death — 10 years. In addition, one of the front legs was arthritic and sluggish inflammatory process in the tissues. Scientists suspect that the female Triceratops suffered greatly throughout life and could not go over his flock.
