Cedarpelta Facts
Pronunciation: SEE-dar-PEL-ta
Name meaning: Cedar Shield
| Diet | Herbivore |
| Height | 2m |
| Length | 7m |
| Weight | 5 tonnes |
| Environment | Land |
| Era | Cretaceous |
| Period | Early Cretaceous |
| Type | Ankylosaur |
| Location | United States |
Cedarpelta was a heavily armoured ankylosaur that lived during the Early Cretaceous period, approximately 121 million years ago. This impressive herbivore roamed what is now Utah in the United States, inhabiting the ancient floodplains and forests preserved in the Cedar Mountain Formation. At 7 metres long and weighing around 5 tonnes, Cedarpelta was a substantial plant-eating dinosaur built like a living tank.
What made Cedarpelta particularly unusual among ankylosaurs was its skull structure. Unlike most of its heavily armoured relatives, Cedarpelta's skull bones remained separate rather than fusing together completely, giving palaeontologists rare insights into ankylosaur skull anatomy. The skull also lacked the extensive horns and spikes seen in many other ankylosaurs, presenting a relatively smooth profile despite its robust construction.
As a herbivore, Cedarpelta spent its days browsing on ferns, cycads, and early flowering plants that grew in the warm, humid climate of the Early Cretaceous. Its low-slung body and broad beak were perfectly adapted for cropping vegetation close to the ground. The dinosaur's massive body was supported by four sturdy legs and covered in protective armour plating, providing excellent defence against the various predators that shared its environment.
Cedarpelta represents an important early branch in ankylosaur evolution, helping scientists understand how these armoured giants developed their distinctive features over millions of years of evolution.
What made Cedarpelta distinctive?
Cedarpelta had unusually unfused skull bones for an ankylosaur, giving it a unique head structure. Its skull lacked the extensive cranial ornamentation typical of many other armoured dinosaurs, presenting a relatively smooth profile despite its robust build.
Behaviour
Cedarpelta likely moved in small herds across the ancient floodplains of Early Cretaceous Utah, using its broad beak to crop low-growing vegetation. When threatened by predators, it probably crouched down to protect its vulnerable underside whilst relying on its armoured back for protection.
Discovery
Cedarpelta was first described by Kenneth Carpenter, James Kirkland, Don Burge, and John Bird in 2001. The original fossils were discovered at Cedar Mountain Formation, Utah, USA.
Cedarpelta FAQ
What did Cedarpelta eat?
Cedarpelta was a herbivore that fed on the plants available during the
Early Cretaceous period, including ferns, cycads, conifers, and some of the earliest flowering plants. It used its broad beak to crop vegetation close to the ground and had teeth suitable for processing tough plant material.
How big was Cedarpelta?
Cedarpelta measured approximately 7 metres in length and weighed around 5 tonnes. It stood roughly 2 metres tall at the hip, making it a substantial but not gigantic member of the ankylosaur family.
When did Cedarpelta live?
Cedarpelta lived during the
Early Cretaceous period, approximately 121.4 million years ago. This places it in the Aptian stage of the Cretaceous, making it one of the earlier known ankylosaurs.
Where was Cedarpelta found?
Cedarpelta fossils have been discovered in Utah, United States, specifically in the Mussentuchit Member of the Cedar Mountain Formation. This area has proven rich in
Early Cretaceous dinosaur fossils.
How do you pronounce Cedarpelta?
Cedarpelta is pronounced 'SEE-dar-PEL-ta', with emphasis on the first and third syllables. The name combines 'cedar' (referring to the Cedar Mountain Formation) with 'pelta' meaning shield.
What does Cedarpelta mean?
Cedarpelta means 'Cedar Shield'. The name references both the Cedar Mountain Formation where it was discovered and the Greek word 'pelta' meaning shield, referring to its heavily armoured body typical of ankylosaurs.
How fast could Cedarpelta run?
The running speed of Cedarpelta is unknown, but like other ankylosaurs, it was likely quite slow due to its heavy armour and robust build. It probably relied on its defensive capabilities rather than speed to avoid predators.
What type of dinosaur was Cedarpelta?
Cedarpelta was an ankylosaur, specifically a member of the Ankylosauridae family. These were heavily armoured, herbivorous dinosaurs known for their tank-like appearance and defensive adaptations.
Was Cedarpelta related to birds?
Cedarpelta was not closely related to birds. As an ankylosaur, it belonged to the ornithischian (bird-hipped) dinosaurs, but this group is not ancestral to modern birds, which evolved from theropod dinosaurs in the saurischian lineage.
How many Cedarpelta fossils have been found?
Multiple specimens of Cedarpelta have been discovered, including partial skulls and postcranial material. This relatively good fossil record makes it one of the better-understood
Early Cretaceous ankylosaurs, though exact numbers of specimens are not typically publicised.
