Triceratops
Huge Beast · · CR 5
- Beast
- Huge
- Tier 2
CR 5 huge beast, unaligned — that's Triceratops. Native to grassland. Sourced from Monster Manual (5e 2014) and Monster Manual (5.5e 2024).
Stat Block
- Challenge Rating
- 5
- Type
- Beast
- Size
- Huge
- Alignment
- —
- Speed
- —
- Habitats
- Grassland
- Sources
- Monster Manual (5e 2014), Monster Manual (5.5e 2024)
Ecology
Triceratops are large herbivorous dinosaurs found in primeval grasslands and forest-edges of the Material Plane's surviving prehistoric pockets. They graze in herds of six to twelve, with calves protected at the herd's center. Their massive horned skulls, neck-frill, and three-foot horns are defensive, not offensive: they do not hunt. A triceratops eats hundreds of pounds of vegetation daily, preferring fern-bracken and tough grasses. Their droppings fertilize soil heavily, enabling lush growth in their grazing-paths.
Behaviour
Triceratops are gentle herd-creatures unless threatened, in which case they become extraordinarily aggressive. Mothers defending calves attack any predator without hesitation, including tyrannosaurs and dragons. They communicate via low rumbles transmitted through ground-vibration, audible miles away. Mating involves competitive horn-pushing between males; the winner mates, the loser leaves the herd temporarily. A triceratops bull lives sixty years; cows somewhat longer. They migrate seasonally between summer grazing-grounds and winter forest-shelters.
Origin
Triceratops are remnants of an earlier age, when dinosaurs ruled vast areas of the Material Plane. Most have died out, but isolated ecosystems (lost plateaus, time-frozen valleys, demiplane jungles) preserve breeding populations. Some druids deliberately maintain triceratops in their groves as living relics. A few have been used as war-mounts by powerful lizardfolk shamans. They cannot survive in cold climates and have died out wherever ice ages have reached.
Related Monsters
Frequently Asked Questions about Triceratops
- What is the challenge rating of Triceratops?
- Triceratops's challenge rating is 5. A party in this band fits well-established adventuring parties.
- What type of creature is Triceratops?
- The bestiary type for Triceratops is beast, huge size.
- Where does Triceratops live?
- You'll find Triceratops in Grassland according to the bestiary entry.