Newly Discovered Dinosaur Had Bristles on Its Head Like Toothbrushes

A new dinosaur, Platytholus clemensi, has been discovered in Montana's Hell Creek Formation. The plant-eating dinosaur had rows of tough bristles like a toothbrush on its head, made of keratin, and grew up to 15 feet long. The researchers suggest that the bristles were used for display or social and biological interactions involving visual communication. The discovery of the bristles points to more of an elaborate headdress rather than a defence mechanism. The shape of the domed heads of pachycephalosaurs changed as the animals matured, becoming more prominent and elaborate as they approached adulthood, suggesting they were used for sexual display and courting.