The armor of the Ankylosaurus is a particularly unique feature. Made up of bone plates called osteoderms (or scutes) and knobs of bones that were embedded in the skin, there was no area of this dinosaur with the exception of its vulnerable underbelly that was not protected by thick bony armor. Even the eyelids of this wide beast were made of bone.
Ankylosaurus is the largest member of its family measuring at 30 feet long and 5 feet wide (9 meters long and 1,5 meter wide). Standing at around 5 ½ feet tall (1,6 meters tall), this incredible beast weighed in at around 13,000 lbs (+/- 6 tons).
The skull of this dinosaur also features four longer horns which projected from either side offering protection from predators.
The tail of Ankylosaurus is also believed to have featured a number of spikes that not only protected but also provided an incredibly destructive weapon. These spikes ran down the length of the body and the tail beginning at the short neck and ending at the tail club.
As if the thick spines along the body weren’t enough to deter predators, the large bony knob at the end acted as a battering club. This tank-sized creature may have fed on vegetation but it posed plenty of threat to fight even the most vicious of carnivores.
