Homalocephale calathocercos



Coloration:

Adult (both sexes) – Red or orange above the head and snout, dark gray-blue hide and tail with a lighter blue underbelly.

Juvenile (both sexes) – A brighter blue with the red-orange color above the head and snout more prominent than the adults.

Diet:

Plant matter, particularly pine cones or other fruits that have fallen to the forest floor or knocked loose by larger herbivores.

Preferred Habitat:

Hillsides and mountain slopes. Social Structure:

Homalocephale lives in spread out feeding groups with designated sentries. This animal often mingles with other herbivores, more commonly Pachycephalosaurus.

Description:

Small bipedal herbivore. Related to Pachycephalosaurus, Homalocephale also has a thickened skull, although instead of the familiar dome, the top of the head of Homalocephale is flat and wedge-shaped. Males develop short spikes at the back of their heads, used for display.

Behaviors:

Homalocephale is less aggressive and more timid than its larger relative, preferring to flee from danger rather than face it head-on. This animal is very agile and it has a superb sense of balance. Like mountain goats, Homalocephale is capable of clambering up  steep cliff walls where its predators cannot reach. Groups of Homalocephale are often found mingling with Pachycephalosaurus herds, using their larger, more aggressive relatives as body-guards. In turn, the Pachycephalosaurus accept the presence of the Homalocephale as extra lookouts, and brooding females have even been known to nurture them – bringing them food and guarding them as they would do for their own young. It is believed this is because of the likeness of Homalocephale with juvenile Pachycephalosaurus. Homalocephale males become more aggressive towards one another during the breeding season, using their wedge-shaped skulls to push against one another in tests of strength. The spikes at the back of their skulls are used to impress the females and intimidate other males. Homalocephale nest communally alongside Pachycephalosaurus, often in rocky, high altitude areas where few predators can reach. Although they do not mate for life, Homalocephale parents stick with one another for as long as it takes to raise their offspring to independence.

Homalocephale calls include a series of high-pitched, musical, bird-like chirps. Its distress call is a drawn out, twittering cry.