Achelousaurus gets its name from "Achelous," a river god in Greek and Roman mythology. This god had the power to change shape. While fighting the god Hercules, Achelous changed into a bull. But Hercules defeated him by tearing off one of its horns. Because this hornless ceratopian is thought to have evolved from ceratopians with horns, the name Achelousaurus was chosen.
OLOGY CARD 011
Series: Extinct Animal
Achelousaurus horneri
Unlike its relative Triceratops, this lesser-known horned dinosaur had no horns on its brow. Instead, it had two long spikes on the back of its frill, the bony extension behind its skull. Fossils of this plant-eater have been found in Montana.
Image credits: main image, Rick Spears.