Dinosaurs: Ankylosaurus
Ankylosaurus was a large heavily armoured plant-eating
dinosaur of the late Cretaceous. It was the last and largest of a group of
dinosaurs called the Ankylosaurids measuring up to 25-35 feet (7.5-10.7 m) in
length and 4 feet (1.2 m) in height and weighing about 3-4 tons. Other members
of this family included Euoplocephalus, Tarchia and Talarurus.
Ankylosaurus was protected by thick, bony armour fused
into its leathery skin. Ankylosaurus also had 2 rows of spikes along its body
with large horns that projected the back of its head. It even had bony plates as
protection for its eyes. As well as being heavily armoured Ankylosaurus also had
a heavy club-like weapon on the end of its tail, which it probably used to
defend itself against some of the ferocious predators that lived at the same
time. These predators included Tarbosaurus, Deinonychus and the infamous
Tyrannosaurus.
Ankylosaurus walked fairly upright on four short legs,
its front legs shorter than its rear.
Ankylosaurus (Fused Lizard)
Pronounced: an-KY-low-SAW-rus
Name Means: "Fused Lizard"
Length: 34 feet (10.5 m) ?
Height: 5 feet (1.8 m)
Weight: 4 tons (3,500 kg)
Diet: Herbivore (Plants)
Time: Late Cretaceous - 70 million years ago
Habitat: Forests
Fossils Found: Western North America, South America
Tags: How big was Ankylosaurus, Ankylosaurus size, where does Ankylosaurus live, how tall are Ankylosaurus, what does Ankylosaurus mean, Ankylosaurus, Ankylosaurus facts