Kryptops

hidden face

• kryptos · Greek · hidden
• ops · Greek · face

The name combines the Greek words for "hidden" and "face". It refers to the rough, textured bone of the snout and brow, which suggests the face was covered by a horny sheath or similar tissue, so the bone surface itself was hidden in life. The type species is Kryptops palaios, and "palaios" means "ancient".

Named by

Sereno and Brusatte

Year named

2008

Period

Early Cretaceous

Stages

Aptian – Albian

Found in

Elrhaz Formation, Gadoufaoua, Niger

Kryptops is a theropod dinosaur, an abelisaurid ceratosaur. It is known from a partial skeleton, including skull bones. The stage range is approximate and reflects uncertainty in dating the Elrhaz Formation.