Ankylosaurus: The Armored Tank of the Cretaceous
The Mesozoic era saw numerous types of dinosaurs, and many stood out for their distinctive body morphology. Where some animals had razor-sharp claws and teeth, Ankylosaurus had armored skin that naturally protected it. Here are some interesting facts about this armored tank of the Cretaceous!
When and Where It Lived
Ankylosaurus lived about 66 million years ago in the Cretaceous period in what is now the Hell Creek Formation in Montana. Fossil evidence also indicates that it likely lived in parts of Canada since the two areas share a border.
Dino Fact
The same scientist who discovered the Ankylosaurus in the Hell Creek Formation in 1906, Barnum Brown, also unearthed the T. rex several years prior.
What It Looked Like
One of the most interesting facts about the Ankylosaurus is its distinctive body armor. Its body bore heavy plates called osteoderms and sharp spikes along its sides. Broad bony plates covered the top of its skull and ran in rows across its neck, back, and down toward the tail. Spikes lined the sides of its neck, flanks, and tail, providing additional protection and making it difficult for predators to secure a clean bite.
Additionally, this herbivore was decently sized, measuring at 20–26 feet long and 5–6 feet high at the hips, with most adults weighing 11,000–18,000 pounds. Given their larger size, they most likely moved slowly, suggesting that natural armor played a key role in their survival.
Dino Fact
One of the most interesting facts about the Ankylosaurus is that, today, no one knows for certain how to arrange its back plates on fossilized remains. This means that scientists base their interpretation of every fossil they examine on a hypothesis.
What It Ate
In its life, this beast would have eaten exclusively plants, and we can hypothesize the types of plants based on its dental records and habitat. Ankylosaurus had a beak-like mouth and grinding teeth, meaning it likely ate ferns, shrubs, and fruit. Due to having four short legs and a stubbier neck, this dinosaur would’ve exclusively eaten plants that were close to the ground.
Buy Dinosaur Action Figures
If you loved learning about this armored tank of the Cretaceous period or you’re into other prehistoric giants, you can bring them to life with Creative Beast Studio’s beasts of the Mesozoic figures. These detailed collectibles allow you to explore every plate, spike, and feature up close, making them suitable for dinosaur fans of all ages. Collect Ankylosaurus and a variety of other prehistoric creatures to recreate epic Cretaceous adventures right at home.
