Sinoceratops is a genus of medium-sized ceratopsid dinosaur in the subfamily Centrosaurinae. Its genus name means “Chinese horned face,” referring to the country its remains were first discovered in; it was the first ceratopsid discovered in China, and potentially the first ceratopsid discovered in Asia (more primitive ceratopsians had previously been discovered, though). There is only one known species so far, Sinoceratops zhuchengensis; the specific epithet refers to Zhucheng, the city in the Shandong province where it was first found. This dinosaur lived during the late Cretaceous period, about 73.5 million years ago.
This dinosaur, one of the largest centrosaurines, was first discovered in the Xingezhuang Formation in the Shandong province of China in the summer of 2008. The first remains found were a partial skull including the braincase. Since its initial discovery, two more fossils have been discovered.
It was described and named by paleontologist Xu Xing and associates in 2010, and assigned its current name based on the locality of its discovery. The species name simultaneously honors the city of Zhucheng for financing the research that led to Sinoceratops being found.
This was one of the last species to be brought back from extinction by International Genetic Technologies for Jurassic World before the park closed in late 2015. At the time the park was shut down, Sinoceratops had not yet been cleared for public exhibition and was not widely known to have been cloned to people other than park employees. Its complete genome could not be fully recreated, so compatible genes from other ceratopsians including Pachyrhinosaurus were sourced to fill in the decayed segments.
Description
Sinoceratops is one of the more primitive members of the subfamily Centrosaurinae. It grows to lengths of 26.57 feet (8.1 meters) in captivity, while fossil specimens are a bit smaller at 23 feet (7 meters) instead. Adults can weigh between 1 and 3 U.S. short tons (907 and 2,721.5 kilograms). The most striking feature, as with most ceratopsians, is the large parietosquamosal frill which extends from the back and sides of the skull. This is among the largest of centrosaurine skulls, with fossils reaching lengths of 5.9 feet (180 centimeters) long; since InGen specimens grow larger than their ancestors, their skull sizes are similarly larger. Their heads give them a total height of 13.8 feet (4.2 meters).
The frill is markedly different than those of other ceratopsians due to the presence of naked fenestrae. In most of its relatives, these holes in the frill (which serve to make the frill lighter) are covered with skin, giving the frill the appearance of being solid. It is unknown why InGen’s Sinoceratops have uncovered holes, as they serve no obvious purpose. Since all specimens have them, it is probably not pathological, though it may be a genetic mutation created during the de-extinction process. In any case, the frill is formed from the outer squamosal and inner parietal bones, expanding to give the dinosaur an intimidating profile when viewed from the front. The edge of the frill is decorated with hornlets and other bony processes, which are collectively termed epoccipitals. There are eleven on the combined parietals, the largest and innermost of which are strongly curved forward to give the dinosaur’s head a crowned appearance. These are followed by two small knob-like epoccipitals on either side of the head, and then a pair of hornlets on the squamosal bones. Each squamosal has a further three knobs followed by one more hornlet. Sinoceratops also has one epijugal (cheek horn) on either side. The largest feature, however, is the nasal horn, a conical implement located on the snout just above the beaked mouth. Overall its skull is wedge-shaped and narrows toward the beak, and its skull appears proportionally larger than the fossil version’s. The horn and epoccipitals are sheathed in keratin, making them appear similar to the horns of animals such as the rhinoceros. It also has epoccipitals on the midline of its parietals, similar to Nasutoceratops; they are fewer, with only two of them, but they are larger in size and more conical. InGen’s Sinoceratops have larger, more curved frill features than their prehistoric ancestors did, with the entire frill curving forward more than the ancestral animal. On the other hand, the nasal horn is thicker and less curved in InGen specimens, while the beak is shorter and smaller.
Its eyes are average in size for a ceratopsian, with the same typical rounded birdlike pupils of many of its relatives. The sclerae are usually a dark brown or amber color. In Sinoceratops the tongue is flatter than that of Triceratops, but is about the same length, and can be extended out of the mouth. Its tongue is pinkish in color. The beak is toothless, but there are many teeth in the rear of the mouth. Its nose is large and it has a good sense of smell, able to scent within a mile radius; on the other hand, its brain is rather small, so it does not have particularly complex intelligence.
The post-cranial body is similar to that of other ceratopsians, though InGen’s specimens do look different from those known from fossils. The body is stocky, with strong legs and a powerful torso; it has a relatively nondescript tail used more for balance than anything else. Its bodily proportions are somewhat similar to the modern rhinoceros, instead of fossil ceratopsians, and the feet are rather elephantine. In fossils, ceratopsian feet have distinct hoofed toes, while InGen ceratopsians have less distinct toes with rounded nails. The hind feet of Sinoceratops have four toes, the innermost of which is a vestigial dewclaw, while the front feet have five toes, the outermost of which is the dewclaw. This further differentiates it from its ancestor, which had no dewclaws on the hind feet. In addition, the original version of the animal did not have any claws on the fourth and fifth digits of its front feet.
As with nearly all InGen dinosaurs, the skin is scaly; it is debatable whether it would have originally had quills. The coloration is more vibrant than many of the other ceratopsians. Most Sinoceratops are green in color, with some showing a yellow or brown skin tone, while the underbelly is countershaded in yellowish beige. Some light-colored striping may be present on the back. The face is its most colorful feature, much like Nasutoceratops, and is probably for display purposes. On the sides of its face it has sandy-colored patches which begin below the eyes. These may extend all the way to the beak, or form a stripe only below and above the eye in a kind of chinstrap pattern.
It also has paired eyespots on its frill, usually numbering four. Two are nearly always located near the fenestrae, with the outermost ring encompassing the fenestra and the remainder located just beneath. This is usually the more elaborate pair of eyespots, with four or five concentric rings of alternating color. The secondary eyespot is not present in all Sinoceratops and is located near the ear or cheek on the lower side of the frill. These are less detailed eyespots, with often just two or three rings. The color of the eyespots alternates between a yellowish color and the same base color as the rest of the upper body, usually meaning green, grayish, or brown. It is common for a red or blue highlight to rim some of the eyespots. Smaller spot patterns may be present outside of the eyespots, and some Sinoceratops have asymmetrical color patterning on the face. Darker-colored leathery skin may surround the eyes of some animals.
Growth
Like in most other ceratopsians, the horns start out smaller, as do the epoccipitals. Sinoceratops sheds the keratinous sheath off its horns as they grow. In many cases the horn’s entire sheath will shed at once, leaving behind a hollow cone-shaped fingernail-like husk. To facilitate this process, they will rub their horns on trees. During the juvenile stage, the head is proportionally larger and the tail shorter. The impressive bony frill of the head starts out far smaller and less curved, growing to its full proportions during adolescence. The naked fenestrae (exposed holes in the frill) are present throughout all the animal’s life stages.
It is not known how long it naturally takes to mature because all known specimens thus far were cloned and given growth-boosting supplements by InGen. With these boosters, they would reach full size in a matter of months. By 2015, shortly after the first Sinoceratops were cloned, InGen had created growth-boosters that could yield adolescent animals in less than a month. In the wild, based on fossil evidence, ceratopsians grow quickly to their adult sizes over a few years.
Sexual Dimorphism
While varying color patterns are known among individual Sinoceratops, it is currently unknown how much of this is due to individualistic variability and how much can be attributed to sexual dimorphism. Males are believed to be more vibrantly colored than females.
Habitat
Preferred Habitat
This dinosaur’s habitat needs are less known, since it was one of the last creatures to be brought back from extinction before Jurassic World closed in 2015. However, it can generally be observed in grassland environments with readily available sources of water and numerous other animal species present. It prefers habitats with forests nearby, and will wander into forested environments for food and shelter. Sinoceratops finds wetlands amenable as well.
Their territories are often marked with abrasions on trees where juveniles and subadults rub their horns during growth, helping to loosen older keratin growth and allow the new keratin to form over the growing bone. In subadults, these abrasion marks are found about 1.5 meters up the subject trees. Even if local Sinoceratops cannot be observed directly, the ages of family members can be determined by how high up the abrasions are. They also produce a lot of dung, which can be used as telltale signs of their presence.
Muertes Archipelago
There is currently no evidence that InGen ever introduced Sinoceratops to Isla Sorna or elsewhere in the Muertes Archipelago. The islands are still under lease to Masrani Global Corporation, InGen’s holding company, but had supposedly been abandoned in the early twenty-first century. The Department of Prehistoric Wildlife acknowledges that there could still be animals there.
Isla Nublar
The earliest known Sinoceratops to be hatched in the modern age, a female, came into the world on Isla Nublar. Since she was said to be four years old as of May 15, 2018, she would have hatched sometime between May 16, 2013 and May 15, 2014. While these dinosaurs were intended to be exhibited in Jurassic World‘s Gyrosphere attraction, they were maintained in Sector 5 for the time being. The public did not know about their existence yet.
As of December 2015, there were at least thirteen adult Sinoceratops living as members of Herd M, the main research herd in Sector 5. These did not represent the entire Sinoceratops population at the time, since there was also at least one subadult (seen some time later). Along with the other dinosaurs, the Sinoceratops spent their days on the grazing grounds near Camp Cretaceous, and stayed overnight in designated nighttime enclosures. At least one of the females was possibly named Perry, though this name has not been used in the film canon proper yet.
On December 22, 2015, Jurassic World experienced a serious breach of security resulting in the park being evacuated and permanently closed. The Sinoceratops were now free to roam wherever they chose; while some migrated into the central valley area of the island, most appear to have remained in the north. Herds were known to travel between the former Gyrosphere Valley area, a northern watering hole, and the grasslands where they had grazed during park operations. One, an adult female later nicknamed Maria, was being held in the Sector 4 veterinary clinic for an unknown health condition at the time the park closed; on December 24 she was released from the clinic by park visitors who had been left behind by accident. She migrated north, probably joining Herd M.
One of the adults was killed by poachers sometime in March 2016; this is the first known example of de-extinct animal poaching to occur after the closure of Jurassic World.
By 2018, this species appeared limited to the northern half of Isla Nublar. Data suggested that some might venture as far as the central and eastern regions of the island, but in-depth surveys were not conducted at that time. Volcanic activity originating from Mount Sibo threatened the population between 2017 and 2018, with ashfall, loss of plant life, and toxic outgassing all being threats to Isla Nublar’s dinosaurs. On June 23, 2018, the volcano violently erupted, devastating most of the island. Eight adult Sinoceratops were confirmed on the island on that day; one was sighted to the southwest of Mount Sibo, while four were sighted to the east. Three had already been captured by a mercenary group led by Ken Wheatley and were transported off the island via the S.S. Arcadia during the eruption.
Due to extensive loss of habitat, it is probable that Sinoceratops has become extinct on Isla Nublar.
Mantah Corp Island
At the moment, there is no evidence of Mantah Corp breeding this species at their facility on Mantah Corp Island. However, they did acquire genetic samples from a female specimen on Isla Nublar in late 2015 which were used for research and development.
Biosyn Genetics Sanctuary
Since their release into the wilds of North America in 2018, this species has found its way into inhabited areas and sometimes causes problems for towns and cities. Biosyn Genetics was awarded sole rights to rounding up problem animals and relocating them to the Biosyn Genetics Sanctuary, near their headquarters in Biosyn Valley, Italy.
The first known Sinoceratops introduced to the valley were in late 2022, a population of adults and juveniles rescued from an illegal American breeding operation. However, an incident in the valley led to control being transferred to the United Nations at around the same time, so the Sinoceratops might not have arrived until after Biosyn was forced to relinquish their exclusive access and power over the facility. As of 2022, only adults were reported in the sanctuary population; no juveniles appear to have been imported from the United States after the raid.
Black market
This dinosaur entered the black market in June 2018 during an illegal auction at the Lockwood estate. Three adults were involved with the illegal auction held there on the night of June 24. It is unknown whether any live specimens were sold, or to whom, but DNA samples may have been sold to Russian mobster Anton Orlov. Since then, the Amber Clave night market in Malta has become a major hub of illegal de-extinct animal trade, and Sinoceratops DNA or specimens may be intermittently available there. The cuteness of this animal, especially in its juvenile state, may tempt the very ambitious and foolish to try and keep it as a pet. This drives up demand for Sinoceratops.
In the autumn of 2022, captive Sinoceratops were released by activists from several illegal holding facilities in the United States, including a corporate farm and a warehouse in Kansas. This came on the coattails of the Department of Prehistoric Wildlife being shut down for an animal trafficking scandal, with one of their warehouses and a harbor being used to smuggle dinosaurs such as Sinoceratops overseas. The fates of some of these dinosaurs remain unknown. In the winter of 2022, an illegal breeding operation at the Saw Ridge Cattle Company in Nevada was broken up; this included several adult Sinoceratops which were being used to mass-produce juveniles for the black market. The United States Fish and Wildlife Service shut down the breeding operation after receiving an anonymous tip and relocated the animals to Biosyn Valley.
Wild populations
North America
At least three adult Sinoceratops were removed from Isla Nublar on June 23, 2018 and were delivered to the Lockwood estate near Orick, California in the night of June 24. They were intended to be sold at auction by Eli Mills in order to finance Henry Wu‘s research, but none are confirmed to have been successfully sold. At about the halfway point, the auction was disrupted by animal rights activists from the Dinosaur Protection Group, and during the struggle a gas explosion caused hydrogen cyanide to leak into the sub-basement where the dinosaurs were being kept. In order to save them from being poisoned to death, they were released by Maisie Lockwood. This species was rare in the wild for a long time, taking a while to become more commonly seen. On June 1, 2022, an interaction was recorded with an adult Sinoceratops in Calliham, Texas. Some have also been reported from Fishenden Falls National Park in Northern California.
Populations of this animal seem sparse, and as time has gone on, the modern environment has proven to impose difficult conditions on de-extinct species. Stronger seasonality, lower atmospheric oxygen, and newly-evolved diseases are all factors that make it harder for animals like Sinoceratops to thrive in this age. To seek better conditions, many have migrated toward the equator, where warm and stable temperatures help in mimicking a Cretaceous climate. Despite its friendly nature, Sinoceratops also benefits from avoiding human contact; this way it has less chance of being given improper food by well-meaning people, and less chance of contracting a disease it might otherwise avoid. Those that live in secluded conditions are more likely to have a longer lifespan.
Africa
This species is known from rural parts of Africa, particularly on grasslands. Their range overlaps with that of the African bush elephant, which they sometimes socialize with. Since the mid-2020s, most de-extinct animals have favored increasingly isolated habitats, with those in regular contact with humans generally seeing their health and well-being suffer. It is unknown how many Sinoceratops currently live in Africa’s tropical grassland environments, but the strongest populations are likely to be those that inhabit places people seldom ever go. Since Sinoceratops has been documented naturally breeding in Africa, it can be assumed that this continent’s savanna biome best replicates its original Cretaceous habitat.
Asia
This dinosaur evolved about 73 million years ago, during the Cretaceous period, in central Asia. Its habitat included many other species, dinosaurs and other more primitive reptiles, indicating it was a flourishing ecosystem. The reasons it became extinct are not clearly understood, but environmental changes are the usual cause. DNA samples were recovered millions of years later, allowing scientists to use genetic modification to bring this species to life in a new form.
Oceania
At least two adults were confirmed in Gresik Regency of the East Java province in Indonesia on June 27, 2022. These were not only the first reported Sinoceratops in Southeast Asia or Oceania, but also the first outside of North America. Indonesia presents a warm tropical environment which many dinosaur species enjoy, but they probably only flourish in areas with low human population. Even though they seldom have conflict with humans, they may still be harmed unintentionally by being fed, harassed, or by contracting diseases.
Behavior and Ecology
Activity Patterns
Sinoceratops is diurnal, meaning it is active during the daytime. Further observation is necessary to confirm whether it is truly diurnal or if it is actually cathermal, meaning it is active for periods of time throughout the day and rests in between. Its relative Triceratops is known to be cathermal, avoiding the heat of midday.
Diet and Feeding Behavior
Like other ceratopsians, Sinoceratops is herbivorous. It uses its beak to crop off parts of plants, then crushes them using its teeth. Because of its build, it can feed only on lower-growing plant life within its reach; it is too heavy to stand on its hind legs and feed from taller shrubs and trees. However, its strength and armored head may allow it to push less sturdy tall plants over, allowing it to reach the leaves. Most of its diet consists of cycads and aquatic plants. It will eat leafy vegetables such as lettuce in captivity.
Juveniles that are still growing are actually omnivorous. Along with eating meat, they will practice osteophagy, or the eating of bones. Scavenging the meat and bones from animal carcasses supplies them with calcium and protein to fuel their developing bodies.
According to the game Jurassic World: Evolution, the preferred food of Sinoceratops is palm foliage; it also enjoys horsetails and rotting wood. However, it is unable to digest pawpaws, mosses, and cycads and will be harmed by consuming these plants. Notably, its canonical diet does include cycads, so the game is in error. The sequel to this game portrays it feeding on fibrous ground cover.
Social Behavior
Sinoceratops lives in closely-bonded family groups, rather than herds of unrelated animals. Herds are matriarchal and typically led by the oldest female. They are also more skittish than their relatives and may flee from sudden surprises; unfortunately this means that they may stray from their families, which can lead to the lone animal becoming distressed. A prompt return to its social group is essential to the animal’s emotional and psychological well-being.
In addition to socializing with its own kind, Sinoceratops is unusual in that it will form equally strong social bonds with members of other species. These can be other herbivorous dinosaurs, but may be animals as different from itself as humans. It will form fast friendships with other animals based around simple social rituals that provide emotional comfort, such as gentle non-threatening physical contact and food provision. It is likely that Sinoceratops socialize with one another in similar ways, and that simply by mimicking the friendly behaviors they exhibit with each other, one can integrate into their social structure. In the game Jurassic World: Evolution 2, members of the same herd will rub their frills against each other, which is known to relieve stress in many ceratopsian species.
Reproduction
Not much is known about the reproductive cycle of Sinoceratops because this species was among the last to be cloned at Jurassic World and was never shown to the public. However, reproduction in other ceratopsians is well-known. Mating is accomplished with a cloaca, similar to modern birds, and eggs are laid in ground nests some time afterward. Triceratops eggs are round, whitish, and roughly the size of a cantaloupe, and the eggs of Sinoceratops may be similar. In dinosaurs of about this size, eggs incubate for between six months and a year.
When they hatch, the juveniles likely imprint on nearby adults who act as parental figures. Adults of other ceratopsians such as Triceratops and Nasutoceratops are highly protective of their offspring, with both the male and female protecting them through adolescence and into young adulthood.
Communication
The vocalizations of Sinoceratops have not been studied extensively, but it communicates mainly using a variety of snorts and grunts which express its mood. Body language is also important, as it is in all ceratopsians; pawing at the ground is a sign of aggression, for example, and tossing the head can be used as another warning sign. In a social species like Sinoceratops, these signals can be used not only to challenge other members of their own species for dominance but to rally the herd to fend off a predator. Friendlier interactions include nudging with the beak and licking with the tongue, along with other simple physical-touch gestures. The distinctive, unique head ornamentation of this species helps it recognize its own kind and is used in many of the body movements.
Interestingly, Sinoceratops has also been known to emit calls that sound very similar to those of other herbivorous dinosaurs, particularly marginocephalians such as ceratopsians and pachycephalosaurs. This may be intentional mimicry; since Sinoceratops commonly associate with other animals, they may learn to mimic their calls. Doing so would help them establish these interspecies bonds.
Ecological Interactions
As mentioned above, the Sinoceratops does not only form herds with its own kind; it is highly social with other species as well and commonly associates with them. It has been known to live near fellow ceratopsian Triceratops, a more aggressive and territorial creature than itself which could lend the mild-mannered Sinoceratops some protection. Sinoceratops has been heard mimicking the sounds of the equally territorial Pachycephalosaurus, suggesting that it may frequently associate with this dinosaur as well; it is known to live near Stygimoloch populations. In captivity, it has been held along with Nasutoceratops without issue.
Other herbivores it herds with include the gigantic sauropods Apatosaurus and Brachiosaurus, the hadrosauriforms Ouranosaurus and Parasaurolophus, and the defensive armored dinosaurs Stegosaurus, Peloroplites, and Ankylosaurus. Herds introduced to mainland Africa have been observed socializing with the African bush elephant (Loxodonta africana). The smaller omnivore Gallimimus lived in the same area as Sinoceratops on Isla Nublar, but their relationship is less well understood.
It is known to be preyed upon by Carnotaurus, a fast and aggressive carnivore known for its opportunistic hunting behaviors. Other predators known to live in the same areas include Teratophoneus, Ceratosaurus, Allosaurus, Baryonyx, and the huge Tyrannosaurus, which could have potentially threatened a Sinoceratops. The pterosaur Pteranodon is also often seen in areas that this ceratopsian inhabits; while a Pteranodon would be of little concern to an adult, they are known to prey on juvenile dinosaurs and have been seen attacking young Triceratops. Therefore, these pterosaurs could probably threaten young Sinoceratops. Of less concern would be the very small theropod Compsognathus, which would only be a danger to the smallest juveniles. Velociraptor was mostly absent on Isla Nublar after 2015, so it was probably not a major threat to adult Sinoceratops either.
The horns and armored frill of this dinosaur are its main defenses, along with its bulk. It will try to avoid direct combat if possible, but when forced to fight, it will ram enemies to knock them over. Its horn is a dangerous weapon; many are seen with chipped horns, suggesting that they commonly use them to attack foes. While the horn could be used to stab an enemy, it is more often used to give a sidelong blow to topple a target. The Sinoceratops is more concerned with escaping its foe than killing it, and so will flee at the first safe opportunity to do so.
Like all herbivores, Sinoceratops affects its environment by feeding on plant life. It mainly eats low-growing plants that live on grasslands, in marshes, and at the edges of forests. By feeding on these plants, it shapes its ecosystem; this dinosaur is often found on grasslands and by eating the larger plants it encourages the growth of grasses. As a result, it can help to create the environment it prefers in its habitat by eating or crushing other types of plants. Subadults may damage trees by rubbing their growing horns on the bark, leaving abrasions. Their dung acts to fertilize what plants remain, and can attract insects which in turn attract small carnivores.
It can be affected by parasites and diseases. A common illness is bumblefoot, which occurs when opportunistic bacteria infect a foot wound. This can slow the dinosaur down, and cause odor that may attract predators. According to Jurassic World: Evolution, it is particularly susceptible to hookworm infections, though it is not known to be impacted by Campylobacter at all. Many dinosaurs were bitten by mosquitoes in prehistory; while modern mosquitoes are not evolved to bite dinosaurs, they may still be capable of it.
Cultural Significance
Symbolism
Since it is a relatively obscure species, Sinoceratops zhuchengensis is not commonly featured in art or culture. However, as the first ceratopsid discovered in China, it is a source of pride for its country of origin as well as the city of Zhucheng which financed the research that led to its discovery. When this species was in development, Simon Masrani instructed InGen geneticists to “create the most beautiful creatures they can imagine,” which resulted in the modifications made to this animal using DNA from related ceratopsians. The result is a demonstration not just of the beauty of nature, but of the power of genetic engineering—particularly the techniques exclusive at the time to Masrani Global Corporation.
According to Universal Studios, Sinoceratops is the dinosaur of the Pisces astrological sign (February 19 – March 10). In a non-canon advertisement promoting Wild Aid, a Sinoceratops named Perry appeared alongside Claire Dearing to support rhinoceros conservation.
In Captivity
This is one of the friendlier ceratopsians, but while it is not as aggressive as Triceratops, it comes with its own set of challenges. It needs company; this is a naturally social creature and will become stressed if separated from its family. Fortunately, the nature of this dinosaur is to form fast friendships, and it can be calmed by the presence of other animals along with its own kind. It is advisable to keep it in grous of related Sinoceratops as well as other large, herbivorous creatures.
Due to the time it was created, this dinosaur was never successfully integrated into Jurassic World, but was intended for the Gyrosphere attraction. It prefers grasslands, making Gyrosphere Valley an ideal habitat. During park operations, it was kept in grassland areas of Sector 5 along with herds of other dinosaurs.
It is actually fairly easy for a human to befriend a Sinoceratops simply by giving it affection; this may be as easy as providing food by hand. As a herbivore, it eats plant matter; while it will forage for food in its habitat, it is also recommended to feed it to ensure it is getting all of the nutrients it needs in its diet. Some vegetables such as lettuce will also help provide it with water to keep it hydrated, and is useful for forming bonds between animal and keeper. It is also worth noting that the juveniles need additional calcium and protein while they grow; in nature, they will chew on bones and scavenge meat from carcasses. This makes juvenile Sinoceratops an efficient way to dispose of the remains of deceased animals, though care should be taken to provide only quality meat free of harmful microorganisms and other parasites.
Science
Sinoceratops was the first ceratopsid to be discovered in China, and potentially the first ceratopsid to be discovered in Asia (with the possible exception of Turanoceratops, whose taxonomic placement within Ceratopsia is somewhat debated). All ceratopsids before this had been discovered in North America, making Sinoceratops a novel look into the evolution of these dinosaurs.
This dinosaur’s genome could only be partly reconstructed, so the missing pieces had to be replaced with genes of similar function from related species. An amalgamation of ceratopsian DNA, including Pachyrhinosaurus, was used to finish this animal’s deteriorated genome. Since its de-extinction in the mid-2010s, it has also provided new insights into ceratopsid behavior, since before this the only well-known example was Triceratops. The de-extinction of Sinoceratops has expanded our understanding of just how diverse ceratopsid behavior patterns are, which has benefited not only de-extinction researchers but also traditional paleontologists. Before it was known to the public, Sinoceratops bred by InGen had already informed scientists about the behaviors the fossil animal probably exhibited, which resulted in new scientific publications by 2015.
Mantah Corp, a rival company to InGen, illegally obtained Sinoceratops DNA from Jurassic World in December 2015 via one of their corporate spies. This sample, taken from a female Sinoceratops in the form of a skin punch biopsy, was utilized at a clandestine Mantah Corp facility to bioengineer a new dinosaur genus by incorporating DNA from a male Spinosaurus aegyptiacus. The result was biologically unique with novel physiological attributes; two specimens had been bred by June 2016, a male and a female.
Politics
Like the other Isla Nublar animals, Sinoceratops is involved in the ongoing de-extinct animal rights debate. Its existence first became known to the public as a direct result of the Mount Sibo controversy in 2018, when the volcanic eruption threatened to drive Sinoceratops and ther other dinosaurs into extinction. It was featured on the Dinosaur Protection Group‘s website as an adoptable dinosaur (particularly one of the older Sinoceratops, a four-year-old individual).
This dinosaur was illegally removed from Isla Nublar along with many other species and became further embroiled in debate after being released into the Pacific Northwest. On occasion, they have been illegally bred by unauthorized persons for the black market.
Resources
Sinoceratops possesses unique biopharmaceutical properties, as do all de-extinct animals, and was targeted in 2018 to be sold on the black market for this reason. The sale was intended by Eli Mills to finance Henry Wu‘s research. However, none are known to have been successfully sold. A case of DNA samples including this dinosaur’s was sold to a Russian buyer, probably Anton Orlov.
This dinosaur had also been targeted by poachers in early 2016, less than a month after the closure of Jurassic World. At least one adult was killed by the poachers Mitch and Tiff, who removed and treated the head to use as a wall-mounted display.
In captivity, the osteophagous and scavenging habits of juvenile Sinoceratops are useful for ecological cleanup purposes, and their dung can be used as fertilizer. Their success as a tourist draw is so far untested, since they were never successfully incorporated into Jurassic World’s attractions. However, their unique coloration, unusual appearance, and friendly behavior would all potentially make them appealing, and they would provide an interesting contrast to the often overwhelmingly North American cast of de-extinct animals usually displayed for the public.
Safety
Despite its friendly reputation, Sinoceratops is still a large and potentially dangerous animal and should be treated with caution during interactions. Do not startle or crowd it, and approach slowly from the front so that it can see you. They can be pacified by feeding them, but this is not recommended as a go-to solution as it could cause them to associate humans with food. Generally, only their handlers should feed them. It is also useful to speak to the dinosaur as you approach, to better ensure it knows you are there; if taken by surprise it will usually try to flee rather than fight, but this can still make it dangerous to anyone in the way.
If attacked by a Sinoceratops, or more likely caught in front of one that is stampeding, the best option is to find high shelter such as a boulder or large tree. They cannot climb, so getting out of their reach can save your life. Taking cover inside a vehicle may also help, but they are large and strong enough to tip over most vehicles: you may still sustain injury, and smaller vehicles can be crushed. Still, you are better off inside than exposed. You might be able to deter it from charging a vehicle by painting red stripes on yours, since this seems to pacify most ceratopsians. If there is no immediate shelter, the best thing to do is get out of the way. Making a sharp turn and diving out of the way is a good strategy, since this is a bulky animal and cannot change direction quickly. Once you have gotten out of its path, attempt to look as non-threatening as possible, or hide if there is cover nearby.
Realistically, it is more likely that you will encounter a frightened Sinoceratops than an aggressive one. Unfamiliar sounds and sights may startle it and cause it to flee, which may result in it getting separated from its herd and further increase its stress. If you do encounter a lone Sinoceratops, it may be tempting to try and guide it back toward its herd, but if done improperly this can do more harm than good. If it gets crowded while panicked, it may respond as though it is being hunted. Only experienced animal handlers, preferably those who have worked with large herbivores, should try to calm a frightened Sinoceratops. If handlers with dinosaur experience are unavailable, the best alternatives are handlers familiar with bovids.
It should be noted that this dinosaur is curious in addition to being easily startled, which is an unfortunate combination of behavioral traits. Sinoceratops may be drawn to you if you are wearing a strong scent such as cologne, since it has a rather good sense of smell. Should a curious Sinoceratops appear, you should remain still while it investigates you, rather than try and scare it away; while it is quick to flee a confrontation it might accidentally crush you. It may sniff or lick you, and will move on when its curiosity is satisfied. If you have time, back away slowly, avoiding sudden movements that could startle it. Once it has left the area, or you have successfully evaded it, put as much distance between you and the dinosaur as you can manage. Do not try to pet, feed, or ride a wild animal, no matter how tempted you are.
Behind the Scenes
This dinosaur’s role was originally intended to be filled by Pachyrhinosaurus, which appears in some storyboards of Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom. The design of Pachyrhinosaurus was originally similar to what is known from fossils, with a large nasal boss; however it was later changed to feature a tall conical horn. Paleontologists had once suggested that the nasal boss of Pachyrhinosaurus was a pathological feature rather than its natural appearance, and that it might have had a nasal horn when healthy, but later discoveries proved that the boss is a natural feature. The reconstruction of a horned Pachyrhinosaurus for Fallen Kingdom was therefore based on long-outdated ideas. When the first trailer for the film was released, viewers commented that the Pachyrhinosaurus was inaccurate and more closely resembled a Sinoceratops, and the official name was changed shortly afterward.
Unfortunately, the change was made too late for most of the tie-in materials to adjust. This resulted in many Sinoceratops toys being labeled “Pachyrhinosaurus,” and vice versa. Some descriptions of the dinosaur (such as the one in the Jurassic World Employee Handbook) got its name correct, but described it as having a nasal boss rather than a horn.
Replacing a North American ceratopsid with a Chinese one led to a number of online conspiracy theories regarding Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom. Most of them suggested that the change was an effort to attract more Chinese moviegoers, with more extreme conspiracy theories claiming that this direction choice was directly due to pressure from the Communist Party of China. Realistically, though, most species featured in the Jurassic Park franchise are still North American, and the Asian genus Velociraptor already holds a prominent role in virtually every installment. Within the context of the films’ universe, it is probable that InGen would have eventually sourced more amber and fossils from outside North America as Jurassic World grew.
The holes in the frill of Sinoceratops also changed throughout production. Originally, only one dinosaur was intended to have a single hole in its frill, caused by a tear in its skin. This appears to have been a reference to the 2013 BBC film Walking with Dinosaurs (not the 1999 television series of the same name), in which a Pachyrhinosaurus character has a hole in his frill due to a wound sustained during infancy. Later in production, the Sinoceratops in Fallen Kingdom was changed to have two holes in its frill, and for this to be a natural feature present in all of them. The reason for this, rather than simply eliminating the holes, is not known.
Notable Individuals
Maria – female bred for Jurassic World, had unknown health condition
Perry – possibly non-canon individual featured in Wild Aid commercial