Homalocephale

dinosaur · mongolia · pachycephalosaur · late cretaceous

Tiny Dome Head. Homalocephale was only about 6 feet long, making it much smaller than the giant sauropods. Its most special feature was a thick, rounded dome on top of its skull that was made of solid bone.

Built for Headbutting. Scientists think Homalocephale used its dome-shaped skull like a battering ram to fight with other dinosaurs or compete for food. The thick bone could handle powerful impacts without cracking.

Possible Plant Eater. Unlike many meat-eating dinosaurs, Homalocephale might have eaten both plants and meat. Its name means 'even roof,' describing the flat-topped dome on its head.

Desert Dinosaur. Homalocephale lived in Mongolia during the Late Cretaceous period, about 75 to 80 million years ago. Fossils were found in the Nemegt Formation, a region that was once a desert with rivers.

Recently Discovered Distinct. For a long time, scientists thought Homalocephale was just a young version of another dinosaur called Prenocephale. In 1974, scientists proved they were actually two different species.