Ankylosaurus Facts
Pronunciation: ANG-ki-low-SORE-us
Name meaning: Fused Lizard
| Diet | Herbivore |
| Height | 1.7m |
| Length | 9m |
| Weight | 6 tonnes |
| Speed | 6 km/h |
| Environment | Land |
| Era | Cretaceous |
| Period | Late Cretaceous |
| Type | Ankylosaur |
| Location | Western North America |
Ankylosaurus was a massive, heavily armoured ankylosaur that lived during the very end of the Cretaceous Period, approximately 70-66 million years ago. This formidable herbivore roamed the ancient landscapes of western North America, making it one of the last non-avian dinosaurs before the great extinction event. Named by palaeontologist Barnum Brown in 1908, its name means 'fused lizard', referring to the fused bones in its skull and body armour.
Built like a living tank, Ankylosaurus measured up to 9 metres long and weighed around 6 tonnes. Its most distinctive feature was its incredible defensive armour - rows of bony plates called osteoderms covered its back, sides, and even its eyelids. The ankylosaur's massive tail ended in a fearsome club made of fused vertebrae and bone, which could deliver devastating blows to predators like Tyrannosaurus rex.
As a herbivore, Ankylosaurus had a relatively small head with a beak-like mouth perfect for cropping low-growing plants, ferns, and shrubs. Its broad, barrel-shaped body housed an enormous digestive system needed to process tough plant material. Despite its intimidating appearance, this ankylosaur was a peaceful browser that only used its weaponry in self-defence.
Surprisingly, despite being the most famous member of its group, Ankylosaurus is known from relatively few fossil specimens, and no complete skeleton has ever been discovered. This has made studying its exact anatomy and behaviour more challenging than for some other dinosaurs.
What made Ankylosaurus distinctive?
Ankylosaurus was distinguished by its extensive body armour of bony plates and spikes covering its back and sides, protective bony eyelids, and most famously, a massive club at the end of its tail formed from fused bone. Its broad, low-slung body and relatively small head gave it an unmistakable tank-like appearance.
Behaviour
Ankylosaurus was likely a slow-moving browser that spent most of its time feeding on low-growing vegetation. When threatened, it probably crouched low to protect its unarmoured belly and used powerful neck and tail muscles to swing its club at attackers' legs, potentially breaking bones and crippling predators.
Ankylosaurus in Popular Culture
Ankylosaurus has appeared in numerous dinosaur films and documentaries, often portrayed as a peaceful but formidable tank-like creature. It featured prominently in the BBC's Walking with Dinosaurs series and appears in various dinosaur video games and children's books.
Discovery
Ankylosaurus was first described by Barnum Brown in 1908. The original fossils were discovered at Hell Creek Formation, Montana, USA.
Ankylosaurus FAQ
What did Ankylosaurus eat?
Ankylosaurus was a herbivore that fed on low-growing plants, ferns, shrubs, and possibly fruits. Its beak-like mouth was perfect for cropping vegetation, and its broad gut could process large amounts of tough plant material through fermentation.
How big was Ankylosaurus?
Ankylosaurus was about 1.7 metres tall at the hip and up to 9 metres long, making it one of the largest armoured dinosaurs. It weighed approximately 6 tonnes, roughly the same as a large elephant, though its weight was distributed across a much longer, broader body.
When did Ankylosaurus live?
Ankylosaurus lived during the
Late Cretaceous Period, specifically between 70 and 66 million years ago. This makes it one of the very last dinosaurs to exist before the mass extinction event that ended the age of dinosaurs.
Where was Ankylosaurus found?
Ankylosaurus fossils have been discovered in western North America, particularly in the Hell Creek Formation spanning Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota, and Wyoming. Similar formations in Alberta, Canada have also yielded specimens.
How do you pronounce Ankylosaurus?
Ankylosaurus is pronounced 'ANG-ki-low-SORE-us'. The emphasis is on the first syllable 'ANG', followed by 'ki-low' and ending with 'SORE-us' like the word 'saurus' in other dinosaur names.
What does Ankylosaurus mean?
Ankylosaurus means 'fused lizard' in Greek. This name refers to the fused bones found in its skull and the bony armour plates that were fused to its skin. The species name 'magniventris' means 'great belly', referring to its enormous, barrel-shaped torso.
How fast could Ankylosaurus run?
Ankylosaurus was quite slow, probably capable of speeds up to 6 km/h at most. Its heavy armour, short legs, and massive body made it built for defence rather than speed. It didn't need to run fast as its armour provided excellent protection.
What type of dinosaur was Ankylosaurus?
Ankylosaurus was an ankylosaur, a group of heavily armoured, plant-eating dinosaurs. It belonged to the family Ankylosauridae and is considered the archetypal member of this group, despite being known from relatively few fossils compared to some of its relatives.
Was Ankylosaurus related to birds?
Ankylosaurus was not closely related to birds. It belonged to the Ornithischia group of dinosaurs, while birds evolved from theropod dinosaurs in the Saurischia group. However, as a dinosaur, Ankylosaurus was more closely related to birds than to any living reptile.
How many Ankylosaurus fossils have been found?
Only a handful of Ankylosaurus specimens have been discovered, and remarkably, no complete skeleton has ever been found. Most fossils consist of partial skulls, armour plates, and tail clubs. This scarcity makes Ankylosaurus one of the less well-known dinosaurs despite its fame.
