Oohkotokia Facts
Pronunciation: OOH-ko-to-kee-ah
Name meaning: Ancient One
| Diet | Herbivore |
| Height | 1.5m |
| Length | 5m |
| Weight | 2 tonnes |
| Environment | Land |
| Era | Cretaceous |
| Period | Late Cretaceous |
| Type | Ankylosaur |
| Location | North America |
Oohkotokia was a heavily armoured ankylosaur that lived approximately 83.6 million years ago during the Late Cretaceous period. This formidable herbivore roamed the ancient landscapes of what is now Montana, United States, where its fossils were discovered in the upper levels of the Two Medicine Formation.
Growing up to 5 metres long and weighing around 2 tonnes, Oohkotokia was a substantial creature built like a living tank. Its body was covered in thick, bony plates called osteoderms that provided excellent protection from predators. Like other ankylosaurs, it walked on four sturdy legs and kept its head close to the ground, perfectly positioned for browsing on low-growing plants and ferns.
The discovery of Oohkotokia has provided important evidence that ankylosaur dinosaurs thrived continuously in the Montana and Alberta region throughout the late Campanian and early Maastrichtian stages of the Late Cretaceous. This finding helps palaeontologists better understand how these armoured giants evolved and spread across ancient North America.
As a dedicated plant-eater, Oohkotokia used its small, leaf-shaped teeth to process tough vegetation. Its wide body housed a large digestive system necessary for breaking down fibrous plant material, whilst its armoured exterior kept it safe from the many fearsome predators that shared its habitat.
What made Oohkotokia distinctive?
Oohkotokia was distinguished by its extensive body armour consisting of thick, bony plates embedded in its skin. Its low-slung, barrel-shaped body and relatively small head were typical of ankylosaurs, though specific details of its armour arrangement remain to be fully described.
Behaviour
Oohkotokia likely spent most of its time browsing close to the ground, using its beak-like mouth to crop vegetation. When threatened, it probably relied on its heavy armour for protection and may have used its muscular tail as a defensive weapon, though the presence of a tail club in this species is not yet confirmed.
Discovery
Oohkotokia was first described by Victoria Arbour and Philip Currie in 2016. The original fossils were discovered at Two Medicine Formation, Montana, USA.
Oohkotokia FAQ
What did Oohkotokia eat?
Oohkotokia was a herbivore that fed exclusively on plants. It used its small, leaf-shaped teeth to process tough vegetation like ferns, cycads, and early flowering plants that grew close to the ground in its
Late Cretaceous habitat.
How big was Oohkotokia?
Oohkotokia could grow up to 5 metres long, stood about 1.5 metres tall at the hip, and weighed approximately 2 tonnes. This made it a substantial ankylosaur, roughly the size of a modern elephant.
When did Oohkotokia live?
Oohkotokia lived during the
Late Cretaceous period, approximately 83.6 million years ago. This places it in the Campanian stage, towards the end of the age of dinosaurs.
Where was Oohkotokia found?
Oohkotokia fossils were discovered in Montana, United States, specifically in the upper levels of the Two Medicine Formation. This area was once a lush, river-dominated landscape during the
Late Cretaceous.
How do you pronounce Oohkotokia?
Oohkotokia is pronounced 'OOH-ko-to-kee-ah'. The name comes from the Blackfoot language and means 'ancient one'.
What does Oohkotokia mean?
Oohkotokia means 'ancient one' in the Blackfoot language. This name was chosen to honour both the great age of the fossil and the cultural heritage of the indigenous peoples of the region where it was discovered.
How fast could Oohkotokia run?
Oohkotokia's speed is not well understood, but like other heavily armoured ankylosaurs, it was probably quite slow. Its massive weight and low-built body would have made it better suited for steady walking rather than running.
What type of dinosaur was Oohkotokia?
Oohkotokia was an ankylosaur, specifically a member of the family Ankylosauridae. These were heavily armoured, plant-eating dinosaurs known for their distinctive bony plates and club-like tails.
Was Oohkotokia related to birds?
Oohkotokia was not closely related to birds. As an ankylosaur, it belonged to the ornithischian dinosaurs, whilst birds evolved from theropod dinosaurs in the saurischian group. However, all dinosaurs share common ancestry.
How many Oohkotokia fossils have been found?
The exact number of Oohkotokia fossils is not widely reported, but like many ankylosaur species, it is known from limited remains. Most ankylosaur discoveries consist of partial skeletons and isolated armour plates rather than complete specimens.
