Ankylosaurus

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About the Ankylosaurus

The Ankylosaurus is one of the toughest herbivores to ever live. This low-standing tank weighed about five tons (10,000 lbs) and was heavily armored. It was covered in thousands of boney scutes, protecting it from the above from any predator. It’s skull as well as its body was heavily armored, even its eyelids were protected. Along with that, this dinosaur had a gigantic club made out of solid bone at the end of its tail. Paleontologists estimate it could have swung it’s tail up to 60 miles per hour. This staggering feature allowed the Ankylosaurus to shatter the bones of nearby predators. The Ankylosaurus had a wide stance, it wasn’t easy to flip over.  Predators couldn’t easily flip it over to its soft belly, even when sick. 

This dinosaur was found all across North America but scientists have only found 14 distinct fossils and they are highly fragmental. Paleontologists have determined most of its diameter features from the more complete fossils of Nodosaurus or the mummifiued Boreopelta. However, we have found teeth, ribs, skull, tail clubs, and a few osteoderms. Osteoderms are spiked or plated bones that are embedded directly into an animals skin. This stunning creature was herbivorous and ate low-lying plants. Scientists estimate young Ankylosaurus were herd animals whereas adults were solitary. This dinosaur was definitely a force to be reckoned with and earned its place among the stunning giants we call dinosaurs.