Ankylosaurus - "Fused Lizard"

Ankylosaurus


©2015 DeliriouStudios


Name Meaning: Fused Lizard
Diet: Herbivore
Size: Hight of a large horse.
Time: Late Cretaceous (84 - 80 million years ago)






Appearance

Ankylosaurus was a large animal by modern standards, estimated at lengths of 9 m (30 ft) and weighing up to 6 tonnes (13,000 lb). The body shape was low-slung and quite wide. It was quadrupedal, with the hind limbs longer than the forelimbs. Although its feet are still unknown, comparisons with other ankylosaurs suggest Ankylosaurus probably had five toes on each foot. The skull was low and triangular in shape, wider than it was long. Ankylosaurus was herbivorous, with small, leaf-shaped teeth suitable for cropping vegetation. These teeth were smaller, relative to the body size.

The most obvious feature of Ankylosaurus is its armor, consisting of massive knobs and plates of bone, known as osteoderms or scutes, embedded in the skin. Osteoderms are also found in the skin of crocodiles, armadillos and some lizards. The bone was probably overlain by a tough, horny layer of keratin. These osteoderms ranged greatly in size, from wide, flat plates to small, round nodules. The plates were aligned in regular horizontal rows down the animal's neck, back, and hips, with the many smaller nodules protecting the areas between the large plates. The famous tail club of Ankylosaurus was also composed of several large osteoderms, which were fused to the last few tail vertebrae. It was heavy and supported by the last seven tail vertebrae, which interlocked to form a stiff rod at the base of the club. Thick tendons have been preserved, which attached to these vertebrae. These tendons were partially ossified (or bony) and were not very elastic, allowing great force to be transmitted to the end of the tail when it was swung. It seems to have been an active defensive weapon, capable of producing enough of a devastating impact to break the bones of an assailant.





Behaviour

There is little fossil evidence of the way the Ankylosaurus lived their lives. It is likely that due to their protective armor that they loves solitary lives and come together for mating or that they tagged along with other larger herds of dinosaurs. They would graze on low down vegetation and perhaps even roots, fruits and nuts. Ankylosaurus where probably stuborn creatures, not prone to backing away from a fight or a patch of tasty greens.





Have any questions or things to add? please comment below!