Scelidosaurus
Scelidosaurus harrisonii
Scelidosaurus helps researchers understand the early evolution of armoured dinosaurs.
Image: 5of7 · CC BY-SA 2.0 · Wikimedia Commons
Loading map textures; the previous reconstruction stays visible...
Sites on today's globe · 1 marker
Characteristics
- Scientific name
- Scelidosaurus harrisonii
- Period
- Early Jurassic (Hettangian)
- Lived
- 199–191 Ma (199 million years ago)
- Diet
- Herbivore
- Habitat
- Coast, Forest
- Length (estimate)
- 4 m
Description
Scelidosaurus was a low-built herbivore with rows of bony nodules and spikes across its back, flanks and tail. Its broad body and strong limbs indicate a quadrupedal way of life, while its teeth could crop leaves and soft plants. Its armour probably protected it from predators, although the use of particular spikes is uncertain. This early thyreophoran is known from an unusually complete skeleton.
Habitat
Low coastal plains with vegetation along lagoons.
Fossil sites
Charmouth, Dorset
Charmouth Mudstone Formation
Cultural profile: United Kingdom →
Contemporaries in the database
Sources: Scelidosaurus