Exhibit Codex
Triceratops
Meet Hatcher, the Smithsonian’s Triceratops mount. Explore the skull and frill, trunk, limbs and tail as a detailed museum specimen. Switch between the mount scan and an interpretive life reconstruction.
Open interactive exhibit ↗About this exhibit
Horns, frill and formidable jaws
Reference and coverage
Smithsonian USNM PAL 500000. Display orientation and surface color are adapted. Twenty-eight connected assemblies and interpreted regions support inspection of the frill, horn cores, jaw, limbs and axial skeleton. Region cuts do not necessarily follow individual bone boundaries. The textured exterior is a separately authored artistic model, not a registered skin of the skeletal specimen. Compare layers as separate studies; their poses and proportions differ.
Available layers
- Exterior
- Scan sections
Structure index
Named structures in this reference. Open the interactive Codex for additional study views and selectable records.
Parietosquamosal frill · study region
Scan sections
A named surface region isolated from the source scan. Display cuts approximate the transition to adjacent structures; they are not validated anatomical segmentation. Smithsonian Hatcher mount; source geometry retained.
Smithsonian Institution, USNM PAL 500000, CC0. Interpreted study partition.
Left brow horn · bony core region
Scan sections
A named surface region isolated from the source scan. Display cuts approximate the transition to adjacent structures; they are not validated anatomical segmentation. Smithsonian Hatcher mount; source geometry retained.
Smithsonian Institution, USNM PAL 500000, CC0. Interpreted study partition.
Right brow horn · bony core region
Scan sections
A named surface region isolated from the source scan. Display cuts approximate the transition to adjacent structures; they are not validated anatomical segmentation. Smithsonian Hatcher mount; source geometry retained.
Smithsonian Institution, USNM PAL 500000, CC0. Interpreted study partition.
Nasal horn · study region
Scan sections
A named surface region isolated from the source scan. Display cuts approximate the transition to adjacent structures; they are not validated anatomical segmentation. Smithsonian Hatcher mount; source geometry retained.
Smithsonian Institution, USNM PAL 500000, CC0. Interpreted study partition.
Facial skull and dental region
Scan sections
A named surface region isolated from the source scan. Display cuts approximate the transition to adjacent structures; they are not validated anatomical segmentation. Smithsonian Hatcher mount; source geometry retained.
Smithsonian Institution, USNM PAL 500000, CC0. Interpreted study partition.
Anterior rib-cage assembly
Scan sections
A connected source-scan assembly retained with its original surface boundaries. Some bones are fused by the mount or scan; the label describes the represented assembly. Smithsonian Hatcher mount; source geometry retained.
Smithsonian Institution, USNM PAL 500000, CC0. Native connected scan surface; orientation and naming adapted.
Posterior rib-cage assembly
Scan sections
A connected source-scan assembly retained with its original surface boundaries. Some bones are fused by the mount or scan; the label describes the represented assembly. Smithsonian Hatcher mount; source geometry retained.
Smithsonian Institution, USNM PAL 500000, CC0. Native connected scan surface; orientation and naming adapted.
Caudal vertebral series · tail
Scan sections
A connected source-scan assembly retained with its original surface boundaries. Some bones are fused by the mount or scan; the label describes the represented assembly. Smithsonian Hatcher mount; source geometry retained.
Smithsonian Institution, USNM PAL 500000, CC0. Native connected scan surface; orientation and naming adapted.
Cervical vertebral assembly
Scan sections
A connected source-scan assembly retained with its original surface boundaries. Some bones are fused by the mount or scan; the label describes the represented assembly. Smithsonian Hatcher mount; source geometry retained.
Smithsonian Institution, USNM PAL 500000, CC0. Native connected scan surface; orientation and naming adapted.
Left femoral region
Scan sections
A named surface region isolated from the source scan. Display cuts approximate the transition to adjacent structures; they are not validated anatomical segmentation. Smithsonian Hatcher mount; source geometry retained.
Smithsonian Institution, USNM PAL 500000, CC0. Interpreted study partition.
Left tibial / fibular region
Scan sections
A named surface region isolated from the source scan. Display cuts approximate the transition to adjacent structures; they are not validated anatomical segmentation. Smithsonian Hatcher mount; source geometry retained.
Smithsonian Institution, USNM PAL 500000, CC0. Interpreted study partition.
Left hind foot assembly
Scan sections
A named surface region isolated from the source scan. Display cuts approximate the transition to adjacent structures; they are not validated anatomical segmentation. Smithsonian Hatcher mount; source geometry retained.
Smithsonian Institution, USNM PAL 500000, CC0. Interpreted study partition.
Right humeral region
Scan sections
A named surface region isolated from the source scan. Display cuts approximate the transition to adjacent structures; they are not validated anatomical segmentation. Smithsonian Hatcher mount; source geometry retained.
Smithsonian Institution, USNM PAL 500000, CC0. Interpreted study partition.
Right radial / ulnar region
Scan sections
A named surface region isolated from the source scan. Display cuts approximate the transition to adjacent structures; they are not validated anatomical segmentation. Smithsonian Hatcher mount; source geometry retained.
Smithsonian Institution, USNM PAL 500000, CC0. Interpreted study partition.
Right fore foot assembly
Scan sections
A named surface region isolated from the source scan. Display cuts approximate the transition to adjacent structures; they are not validated anatomical segmentation. Smithsonian Hatcher mount; source geometry retained.
Smithsonian Institution, USNM PAL 500000, CC0. Interpreted study partition.
Left humeral region
Scan sections
A named surface region isolated from the source scan. Display cuts approximate the transition to adjacent structures; they are not validated anatomical segmentation. Smithsonian Hatcher mount; source geometry retained.
Smithsonian Institution, USNM PAL 500000, CC0. Interpreted study partition.
Left radial / ulnar region
Scan sections
A named surface region isolated from the source scan. Display cuts approximate the transition to adjacent structures; they are not validated anatomical segmentation. Smithsonian Hatcher mount; source geometry retained.
Smithsonian Institution, USNM PAL 500000, CC0. Interpreted study partition.
Left fore foot assembly
Scan sections
A named surface region isolated from the source scan. Display cuts approximate the transition to adjacent structures; they are not validated anatomical segmentation. Smithsonian Hatcher mount; source geometry retained.
Smithsonian Institution, USNM PAL 500000, CC0. Interpreted study partition.
Sacral and pelvic scan assembly
Scan sections
A connected source-scan assembly retained with its original surface boundaries. Some bones are fused by the mount or scan; the label describes the represented assembly. Smithsonian Hatcher mount; source geometry retained.
Smithsonian Institution, USNM PAL 500000, CC0. Native connected scan surface; orientation and naming adapted.
Right femoral region
Scan sections
A named surface region isolated from the source scan. Display cuts approximate the transition to adjacent structures; they are not validated anatomical segmentation. Smithsonian Hatcher mount; source geometry retained.
Smithsonian Institution, USNM PAL 500000, CC0. Interpreted study partition.
Right tibial / fibular region
Scan sections
A named surface region isolated from the source scan. Display cuts approximate the transition to adjacent structures; they are not validated anatomical segmentation. Smithsonian Hatcher mount; source geometry retained.
Smithsonian Institution, USNM PAL 500000, CC0. Interpreted study partition.
Right hind foot assembly
Scan sections
A named surface region isolated from the source scan. Display cuts approximate the transition to adjacent structures; they are not validated anatomical segmentation. Smithsonian Hatcher mount; source geometry retained.
Smithsonian Institution, USNM PAL 500000, CC0. Interpreted study partition.
Ventral pelvic assembly
Scan sections
A connected source-scan assembly retained with its original surface boundaries. Some bones are fused by the mount or scan; the label describes the represented assembly. Smithsonian Hatcher mount; source geometry retained.
Smithsonian Institution, USNM PAL 500000, CC0. Native connected scan surface; orientation and naming adapted.
Mandibular assembly
Scan sections
A connected source-scan assembly retained with its original surface boundaries. Some bones are fused by the mount or scan; the label describes the represented assembly. Smithsonian Hatcher mount; source geometry retained.
Smithsonian Institution, USNM PAL 500000, CC0. Native connected scan surface; orientation and naming adapted.
Right ilium region
Scan sections
A connected source-scan assembly retained with its original surface boundaries. Some bones are fused by the mount or scan; the label describes the represented assembly. Smithsonian Hatcher mount; source geometry retained.
Smithsonian Institution, USNM PAL 500000, CC0. Native connected scan surface; orientation and naming adapted.
Left ilium region
Scan sections
A connected source-scan assembly retained with its original surface boundaries. Some bones are fused by the mount or scan; the label describes the represented assembly. Smithsonian Hatcher mount; source geometry retained.
Smithsonian Institution, USNM PAL 500000, CC0. Native connected scan surface; orientation and naming adapted.
Detached thoracic element
Scan sections
A connected source-scan assembly retained with its original surface boundaries. Some bones are fused by the mount or scan; the label describes the represented assembly. Smithsonian Hatcher mount; source geometry retained.
Smithsonian Institution, USNM PAL 500000, CC0. Native connected scan surface; orientation and naming adapted.
Unassigned minor scan fragments
Scan sections
A connected source-scan assembly retained with its original surface boundaries. Some bones are fused by the mount or scan; the label describes the represented assembly. Smithsonian Hatcher mount; source geometry retained.
Smithsonian Institution, USNM PAL 500000, CC0. Native connected scan surface; orientation and naming adapted.
Left brow horn
Exterior
One of the paired horns above the eyes. In life, a keratin covering extended over the bony horn core. Compare the two brow horns with the shorter nasal horn. This selection follows an interpreted surface boundary at the horn base.
Artistically reconstructed exterior. Selection boundaries are interpreted surface regions, not anatomical joints or individually scanned bones.
Right brow horn
Exterior
One of the paired horns above the eyes. In life, a keratin covering extended over the bony horn core. Compare the two brow horns with the shorter nasal horn. This selection follows an interpreted surface boundary at the horn base.
Artistically reconstructed exterior. Selection boundaries are interpreted surface regions, not anatomical joints or individually scanned bones.
Nasal horn
Exterior
The shorter median horn rises above the snout. Together with the paired brow horns it gives Triceratops its three-horned appearance. The modeled covering and its exact shape are an artistic reconstruction.
Artistically reconstructed exterior. Selection boundaries are interpreted surface regions, not anatomical joints or individually scanned bones.
Head
Exterior
The head carries the sensory organs and jaws. Select nearby features for a closer view, or switch to the skeletal reference to examine the underlying cranial form.
Artistically reconstructed exterior. Selection boundaries are interpreted surface regions, not anatomical joints or individually scanned bones.
Beak
Exterior
A keratinous beak covered the front of the jaws and cropped vegetation. Cheek teeth farther back processed food. The beak’s soft-tissue covering is reconstructed.
Artistically reconstructed exterior. Selection boundaries are interpreted surface regions, not anatomical joints or individually scanned bones.
Frill
Exterior
The broad shield behind the head is supported by the expanded parietal and squamosal bones. Its size and shape are central to ceratopsian identification. This life surface is distinct from the fossil skull below.
Artistically reconstructed exterior. Selection boundaries are interpreted surface regions, not anatomical joints or individually scanned bones.
Neck
Exterior
The neck connects head and trunk. It surrounds the cervical spine and carries muscles, airway and vessels; these internal structures are not established by the exterior mesh.
Artistically reconstructed exterior. Selection boundaries are interpreted surface regions, not anatomical joints or individually scanned bones.
Trunk
Exterior
The trunk spans the chest and abdomen between the limb girdles. The surface shows overall form, while deeper systems require a separate anatomical reference.
Artistically reconstructed exterior. Selection boundaries are interpreted surface regions, not anatomical joints or individually scanned bones.
Left forelimb
Exterior
Follow the shoulder, upper forelimb, elbow and lower limb toward the foot. This exterior region supplies orientation; open the skeletal study to inspect the available bone surfaces.
Artistically reconstructed exterior. Selection boundaries are interpreted surface regions, not anatomical joints or individually scanned bones.
Right forelimb
Exterior
Follow the shoulder, upper forelimb, elbow and lower limb toward the foot. This exterior region supplies orientation; open the skeletal study to inspect the available bone surfaces.
Artistically reconstructed exterior. Selection boundaries are interpreted surface regions, not anatomical joints or individually scanned bones.
Left hindlimb
Exterior
Follow the hip, thigh, knee and lower limb toward the foot. The surface conceals joints and supporting bones; compare it with the separate skeletal study.
Artistically reconstructed exterior. Selection boundaries are interpreted surface regions, not anatomical joints or individually scanned bones.
Right hindlimb
Exterior
Follow the hip, thigh, knee and lower limb toward the foot. The surface conceals joints and supporting bones; compare it with the separate skeletal study.
Artistically reconstructed exterior. Selection boundaries are interpreted surface regions, not anatomical joints or individually scanned bones.
Tail
Exterior
The tail extends behind the pelvis. Vertebrae form its internal support, surrounded by muscles and skin. Its posture and soft-tissue form here belong to the artistic reconstruction.
Artistically reconstructed exterior. Selection boundaries are interpreted surface regions, not anatomical joints or individually scanned bones.
Read the detailed records
Open the full exhibit Codex for individual structure records and time-specific information. The Credits page lists source creators, licenses and adaptations.