Omnivorous triceratops? O_o

[TransformerRobot]

Was the triceratops actuall an omnivore instead of a herbivore, based on recent research?

[pwagen]

Can't find anything about them being anything other than herbivores, so I would say no.

[TransformerRobot]

Maybe not, but this article I found has me questioning whether or not we know everything about the triceratops' diet.

 

http://listverse.com/2011/02/22/top-10-dinosaurs-that-arent-what-they-were/

 

"After examining the beak and jaws, paleontologists reached the conclusion that Triceratops may have been partially carnivorous, probably scavenging after T-Rex, or even scaring smaller predators away from their kills. Its strong jaws were able to crush bone and flesh as easily as they could grind plant material. The result would be an incredibly bizarre-looking, intimidating beast that behaved more like a giant wild boar or an entelodont (a carnivorous pig-like creature) than the placid vegetarian of classic imagery. We simply will never look at Triceratops the same way now."

[pwagen]

Interesting. I also found more speculation on the subject:

 

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ceratopsia#Ecological_role

 

We probably won't be able to say for sure one way or another for quite a while, if ever, but it makes for an interesting topic.

[Moontanman]

I never thought of triceratops being a pig like animal but I see no reason to state conclusively it was not. An interesting point of view, wild pigs like warthogs certainly seem to have the attitude not sure if they really scavenge much. I always thought of a triceratops as more of a rhino analog. Something new to think about for sure..

[TransformerRobot]

I never thought of triceratops being a pig like animal but I see no reason to state conclusively it was not. An interesting point of view, wild pigs like warthogs certainly seem to have the attitude not sure if they really scavenge much. I always thought of a triceratops as more of a rhino analog. Something new to think about for sure..

 

You and me both.

 

And if triceratops did scavenge, what does that say about whatever animal replaced it in our time?