Ankylosaurus: Difference between revisions
(Created page with "== Ankylosaurus == '''Ankylosaurus''' is a genus of armored dinosaur that lived during the Late Cretaceous period, approximately 68 to 66 million years ago. It is one of the most well-known members of the group Ankylosauria, characterized by heavy body armor and a distinctive club-like tail. === Description === Ankylosaurus was a large, quadrupedal herbivore, estimated to reach up to 6–8 meters (20–26 feet) in length. Its body was covered in thick, bony plates calle...") |
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[[File:Ankyosaurus.jpg|thumb|right|Ankylosaurus reconstruction]] | |||
== Ankylosaurus == | == Ankylosaurus == | ||
'''Ankylosaurus''' is a genus of armored dinosaur that lived during the Late Cretaceous period, approximately 68 to 66 million years ago. It is one of the most well-known members of the group Ankylosauria, characterized by heavy body armor and a distinctive club-like tail. | '''Ankylosaurus''' is a genus of armored dinosaur that lived during the Late Cretaceous period, approximately 68 to 66 million years ago. It is one of the most well-known members of the group Ankylosauria, characterized by heavy body armor and a distinctive club-like tail. | ||
Revision as of 00:31, 19 August 2025
Ankylosaurus
Ankylosaurus is a genus of armored dinosaur that lived during the Late Cretaceous period, approximately 68 to 66 million years ago. It is one of the most well-known members of the group Ankylosauria, characterized by heavy body armor and a distinctive club-like tail.
Description
Ankylosaurus was a large, quadrupedal herbivore, estimated to reach up to 6–8 meters (20–26 feet) in length. Its body was covered in thick, bony plates called osteoderms, providing protection against predators. The tail ended in a massive bony club, likely used for defense.
Discovery
The first fossils of Ankylosaurus were discovered in Montana in 1906 by Barnum Brown. Although complete skeletons are rare, various skull fragments, armor plates, and tail clubs have helped paleontologists reconstruct its appearance.
Diet
As a herbivore, Ankylosaurus fed on low-lying vegetation such as ferns and cycads. Its broad, beaked mouth and leaf-shaped teeth were adapted for cropping and grinding plant material.
Defense Mechanisms
The most iconic feature of Ankylosaurus is its tail club, which could deliver powerful blows. Combined with its armored body, this made it a formidable opponent for predators like Tyrannosaurus rex.
In Popular Culture
Ankylosaurus has appeared in numerous documentaries, books, and films, often portrayed as a slow-moving but nearly indestructible tank of the dinosaur world.
References
- Carpenter, K. (2004). "Redescription of Ankylosaurus magniventris". Canadian Journal of Earth Sciences.
- Vickaryous, M.K., et al. (2001). "The evolution of dermal armor in dinosaurs". Paleobiology.
