Anodontosaurus Facts
Pronunciation: an-oh-DON-toe-SORE-us
Name meaning: Toothless Lizard
| Diet | Herbivore |
| Height | 1.5m |
| Length | 6m |
| Weight | 2.5 tonnes |
| Speed | 15 km/h |
| Environment | Land |
| Era | Cretaceous |
| Period | Late Cretaceous |
| Type | Ankylosaur |
| Location | Canada |
Anodontosaurus was a heavily armoured ankylosaur that thundered across the ancient landscapes of western Canada during the Late Cretaceous period, between 83.6 and 72.2 million years ago. This impressive herbivorous dinosaur lived in what is now Alberta, where its fossils have been discovered in both the Horseshoe Canyon Formation and the slightly older Dinosaur Park Formation.
Measuring approximately 6 metres in length and standing about 1.5 metres tall at the hip, Anodontosaurus was a formidable sight with its tank-like build and extensive body armour. Like other ankylosaurs, it possessed rows of bony plates called osteoderms embedded in its skin, along with spikes protruding from its sides and back. Its broad, low-slung body was perfectly adapted for a life spent browsing on low-growing vegetation.
Despite its fearsome appearance, Anodontosaurus was a peaceful plant-eater that used its small, leaf-shaped teeth to crop ferns, cycads, and other prehistoric plants. Its name, meaning 'toothless lizard', refers to the front portion of its jaw, which lacked teeth and instead featured a horny beak ideal for stripping vegetation. The dinosaur's impressive defensive capabilities, including its heavy armour and likely a club-like tail, would have deterred most predators of its time.
Two species of Anodontosaurus are currently recognised: A. lambei and A. inceptus, both known from the rich fossil beds of Alberta. These discoveries have made Anodontosaurus one of the better-understood Canadian ankylosaurs, providing valuable insights into the diversity and evolution of armoured dinosaurs in North America.
What made Anodontosaurus distinctive?
Anodontosaurus was distinguished by its heavily armoured body covered in rows of bony plates and spikes, a toothless front beak combined with small leaf-shaped cheek teeth, and a broad, low-built frame typical of ankylosaurs. Its defensive armour was particularly well-developed, giving it an unmistakable tank-like appearance.
Behaviour
Anodontosaurus likely lived in small groups, slowly moving through Late Cretaceous forests and plains while browsing on low vegetation. When threatened by predators like Albertosaurus, it would have relied on its heavy armour for protection, possibly crouching down to protect its vulnerable belly whilst presenting its spiky, armoured back to attackers.
Discovery
Anodontosaurus was first described by Barnum Brown in 1910. The original fossils were discovered at Horseshoe Canyon Formation, Alberta, Canada.
Anodontosaurus FAQ
What did Anodontosaurus eat?
Anodontosaurus was a herbivore that fed on low-growing plants such as ferns, cycads, and other prehistoric vegetation. It used its toothless front beak to strip plants and small leaf-shaped teeth in the back of its mouth to process the vegetation before swallowing.
How big was Anodontosaurus?
Anodontosaurus measured approximately 6 metres in length and stood about 1.5 metres tall at the hip. It weighed around 2.5 tonnes, making it roughly the size of a large modern rhinoceros but considerably more heavily armoured.
When did Anodontosaurus live?
Anodontosaurus lived during the
Late Cretaceous period, from approximately 83.6 to 72.2 million years ago. This makes it one of the longer-lived dinosaur genera, surviving for over 11 million years.
Where was Anodontosaurus found?
Anodontosaurus fossils have been discovered in Alberta, Canada, specifically in the Horseshoe Canyon Formation and Dinosaur Park Formation. These fossil-rich deposits have yielded remains from across the dinosaur's entire evolutionary timespan.
How do you pronounce Anodontosaurus?
Anodontosaurus is pronounced 'an-oh-DON-toe-SORE-us', with emphasis on the 'DON' syllable. The name can be broken down as 'an-odon-to-saurus' to make pronunciation easier.
What does Anodontosaurus mean?
Anodontosaurus means 'toothless lizard' in Greek. This name refers to the front portion of its jaws, which lacked teeth and instead featured a horny beak, similar to modern turtles or birds.
How fast could Anodontosaurus run?
Anodontosaurus could likely reach speeds of around 15 km/h when necessary, though its heavy armour and build suggest it was not built for speed. It would have relied more on its defensive capabilities than running to escape predators.
What type of dinosaur was Anodontosaurus?
Anodontosaurus was an ankylosaur, a type of heavily armoured, herbivorous dinosaur. It belonged to the family Ankylosauridae and was characterised by its tank-like build, extensive body armour, and plant-eating lifestyle.
Was Anodontosaurus related to birds?
As an ankylosaur belonging to the group Ornithischia, Anodontosaurus was only distantly related to modern birds. Birds evolved from theropod dinosaurs, which belonged to a different major group called Saurischia, making the relationship quite distant despite both being dinosaurs.
How many Anodontosaurus fossils have been found?
Multiple Anodontosaurus specimens have been discovered across Alberta's fossil formations, with enough material found to establish two distinct species: A. lambei and A. inceptus. The fossils span the entire known timerange of the genus, providing good representation of this ankylosaur's evolution.
