Panoplosaurus was a species of nodosaurid dinosaur that lived during the Upper Cretaceous period. It was a large, armored dinosaur, with a length of around 10-13 feet and a weight of around 1 ton. The name Panoplosaurus translates to ‘completely armored lizard’ because its skin is covered with bony plates and spikes. It is known from fossils found in North America and Europe.
Key facts
| Domain | Description |
|---|---|
| Panoplosaurus pronunciation | Pan-oh-ploh-saw-rus |
| What does Panoplosaurus mean? | Completely armored lizard |
| Dinosaur type | Ankylosauria |
| On the menu | Herbivorous |
| Length | 3-5 meters (10-16 feet) |
| Height | 25 meters (80 feet) |
| Weight | 1,000kg (about 2,300 lbs) |
| Life expectancy | Unknown |
| Legs used to get around | Quadrupedal |
| Estimated top speed | Unknown |
| When they lived | The Upper Cretaceous period, 83.5 million years ago – 66 million years ago |
| Where they have been found? | North America and Europe |
When & Where
Panoplosaurus is known for fossils that have been found in North America and Europe. The first fossils of Panoplosaurus were discovered in the late 1800s, and since then many other fossils have been found in different locations around the world. These fossils consist of the bony armor that covered its body, as well as its bones and teeth which can better further our knowledge of this intriguing dinosaur.
Size & Weight
It was a relatively large dinosaur, with a length of around 10-13 feet. This is based on the size of its available fossils, which have been found in parts of North America and Europe. It should be noted that Panoplosaurus was larger than some other nodosaurid species but not as large as some of the other dinosaurs that lived during the same time period.
Mobility & Diet
Panoplosaurus likely lived in herds and fed on a variety of plant materials. It also had relatively good mobility despite its size and armor. Like other dinosaurs, Panoplosaurus would have had powerful legs and a strong tail that would have helped it move quickly and easily. Its armor would have added some weight and bulk, but it is likely that Panoplosaurus was still able to move quickly and agilely when needed.
Interesting Points
- It is known from fossils found in North America and Europe, which provide valuable insights into its appearance and behavior.
- Panoplosaurus was larger than some other nodosaurid species but not as large as some of the other dinosaurs that lived during the same time period.
- In addition to its armor, Panoplosaurus also had a club-like tail that may have been used as a weapon.
Featured Image Credit: Conty, CC BY 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
