FOR AGES 3 YEARS TO 18 YEARS
At Kidadl we pride ourselves on offering families original ideas to make the most of time spent together at home or out and about, wherever you are in the world. We strive to recommend the very best things that are suggested by our community and are things we would do ourselves - our aim is to be the trusted friend to parents.
We try our very best, but cannot guarantee perfection. We will always aim to give you accurate information at the date of publication - however, information does change, so it’s important you do your own research, double-check and make the decision that is right for your family.
Kidadl provides inspiration to entertain and educate your children. We recognise that not all activities and ideas are appropriate and suitable for all children and families or in all circumstances. Our recommended activities are based on age but these are a guide. We recommend that these ideas are used as inspiration, that ideas are undertaken with appropriate adult supervision, and that each adult uses their own discretion and knowledge of their children to consider the safety and suitability.
Kidadl cannot accept liability for the execution of these ideas, and parental supervision is advised at all times, as safety is paramount. Anyone using the information provided by Kidadl does so at their own risk and we can not accept liability if things go wrong.
Dakotadon lakotaensis was a basal Iguanodontia that belonged to the Dinosauria (Ornithischia and saurischia) taxa of the Animalia kingdom. It is argued that Dakotadon, considered to be a member of the iguanodont dinosaur genera, belongs to another group. Data suggests that their remains were found in the Lakota formation and these dinosaurs probably lived during the valanginian stage of the early Cretaceous or lower Cretaceous era. It was a herbivore from South Dakota. The description was given by Weishampel and Philip R. Bjork. The genus name Dakotadon was given by Paul in 2008. It is known from a single holotype or specimen consisting of a partial skull. The incomplete structural form has made it difficult to study this species. Most of its data is derived based on its relationships with other ornithopods. Did you know, ornithopods were mainly plant eaters and bipedal?
Keep reading to find out more fun facts about the Dakotan. Once you have finished reading this article, do check out our other articles on the Ichthyovenator and Yinlong.
The International Code of Zoological Nomenclature, which governs all scientific names for living or dead species, must be followed when naming dinosaurs. They are often named in Greek or Latin based on specific characteristics or locations they were excavated from, or the person who discovered them. This is why dinosaur names are not always easy to pronounce. The name of this species is pronounced 'duh-co-ta-don'.
The Dakotadon was an iguanodon dinosaur that belonged to the Dinosauria (Ornithischia and saurischia) taxon of the Animalia kingdom. David B. Weishampel and Philip R. Bjork described it as Iguanodon lakotaensis in 1989. Iguanodon was the second member to be discovered as Dinosauria. It is argued that Dakotadon, considered to be a member of the iguanodont dinosaur genera, belongs to another taxon.
The Dakotadon was a part of the earth in the valanginian stage of the Barremian period, during the Lakota Formation, which lasted from 129.4 million to 125 million years ago. This age is a subdivision of the Early Cretaceous or lower cretaceous era, and the name Barremian is derived from a locality near Barrême.
Dakotadon only lived during the Barremian age and became extinct after that. The record of the Campanian age suggests that there were multiple causes for this extinction.
The fossil of Dakotadon lakotaensis was discovered in the Lakota formation near Sturgis, Lawrence County, South Dakota by Dale Rossow.
The Dakotadon probably occupied areas filled with vegetation such as plains, forests, mountains, and swamps.
There is no indication that this species resided in packs. The general rule is that herbivorous dinosaurs liked to gather in groups. The primary motivation for this was to defend themselves from predators, while meat eaters were more solitary species. The Dakotadon may have traveled along the river in huge groups, foraging on the plains. They could have been able to adapt to a solitary existence as well.
The lifespan of members of the Iguatondiae family was between 10-100 years. The lifespan of this species is not known.
The Dakotadon dinosaur reproduced by laying eggs. These eggs were hatched in an immature stage. The adults must have taken great care of the young ones. The reproduction of dinosaurs is similar to that of modern day reptiles. The male begins by depositing sperm. This would have resulted in a fertilized egg with embryos, followed by incubation and hatching. According to the references, most dinosaurs were quite attentive to their offspring.
The description of Dakotadon lakotaensis was given in 1989 by Weishampel and Philip R. Bjork. It is closely related to cedorestes. The holotype of D. lakotaensis revealed certain places of the skull after the material was cleaned properly. Based on the observations of the skull, it was concluded that they might have had 19-20 tooth positions in the maxilla. It had a dorsal line running through the middle of the nose. It had large artificial openings on its ears similar to the ones before the eye socket. The space between the biting teeth and grinding teeth was absent.
The fossil of this species, discovered in the Lakota formation consisted of a partial skull, lower jaws, a single dorsal vertebra, tooth, and two caudal vertebrae. However, subsequent research claims that some bones from this specimen, Dakotadon lakotaensis, were not included and that a previously recognized one might have been incorrectly identified. As a result, determining how many bones they had has been tricky. Dinosaurs, in general, might have had as many as 200 bones, which is approximately equal to the number of bones a human has.
Dinosaurs did not use any modern-day technology to connect with each other. They only relied on their voice and vision. They communicated by emitting sounds which varied depending on the nature or situation. When in danger or while hunting they emitted high pitched growls. The rest of the time the sounds might have ranged from medium pitched hoots to low pitched 'coos'. They probably used their fighting skills to impress their mates and other body gestures to convey messages.
The Dakotadon was 19.0 ft (5.8 m).
The speed of a dinosaur is calculated based on the hip height of the specimen and step measurements. The calculated speed is not an accurate value but only an estimation. In the case of Dakotadon lakotaensis which is only known from a skull and few other bones, it is not possible to calculate the speed due to a lack of information from the fossil. Based on relationships with similar species, it is said that they might have been both bipedal and quadrupedal.
Based on fossil references, the Dakotadon was 1874 lb (870 kg).
Not many fossils of this particular species are available. Sometimes only a fossil of the adult or juvenile is available. From all these elements, it is hard to determine if sexual dimorphism existed and provide separate names for male and female dinosaurs. They do not have separate names.
Almost all dinosaur babies are referred to as juveniles, chicks, or hatchlings. They are not given any specific names.
Ornithopods were plant-eating dinosaurs. The Dakotadon, just like the other members, was a herbivore. They had flexible necks and might have fed on trees or plants at different heights. Their diet mainly included leaves, plants, cycads, horsetails, conifers, and ginkgos. They were hunted by predators like Giganotosaurus, Sarcosuchus, Dromaeosaurs, Deinonychus, and giant Utahraptors.
Dakotadon lakotaensis might have been aggressive. Due to the lack of data on the behavioral patterns of this species, it is difficult to reach a conclusion. We don't know if this dinosaur would bite, however they were plant-eating dinosaurs so they probably had blunt teeth.
David Norman said that Dakotadon was a synonym of Iguanodon bernissartensis.
The classification of this dinosaur under the iguanodont dinosaur genera has caused a lot of commotion. The classification of this taxa is still being questioned. Many scientists suggest that it belongs to a different group.
Dakotadon lakotaensis from Dakota was more basal than Iguanodon bernissartensis.
A recently published report suggests that melasonomes can help in the identification of the color of a dinosaur.
The term Dinosauria was coined by Sir Richard Owen.
The generic name of this dinosaur, belonging to the Dinosauria (Ornithischia and Saurischia) clade, was given by Paul in 2008. Dakotadon was named after South Dakota, the place where it was discovered and the Greek word 'odon' meaning 'tooth', referring to the remains. The species name, lakotaensis, was given based on the Lakota Formation where the fossils were found. The species name was given by Weishampel, an American paleontologist at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, and Philip R. Bjork, an American geologist.
A partial skeleton consisting of a partial skull, lower jaws, some tooth bones, a single dorsal vertebra, and two caudal vertebrae were discovered in the Lakota Formation in Sturgis, a city near South Dakota, Lawrence County. Mr. Dale Rossow was hunting rattlesnakes on what seemed like a normal day. He had no idea that this day would go down in the history of dinosaurs. He discovered the fossil of this species under a rock.
Here at Kidadl, we have carefully created lots of interesting family-friendly dinosaur facts for everyone to discover! Learn more about some other creatures from our Brachytrachelopan facts and Volgatitan facts for kids pages.
You can even occupy yourself at home by coloring in one of our free printable Dakotadon coloring pages.
Main image by Bubblesorg
Second image by Clint A Boyd and Darrin C Pagnac
Read The Disclaimer
At Kidadl we pride ourselves on offering families original ideas to make the most of time spent together at home or out and about, wherever you are in the world. We strive to recommend the very best things that are suggested by our community and are things we would do ourselves - our aim is to be the trusted friend to parents.
We try our very best, but cannot guarantee perfection. We will always aim to give you accurate information at the date of publication - however, information does change, so it’s important you do your own research, double-check and make the decision that is right for your family.
Kidadl provides inspiration to entertain and educate your children. We recognise that not all activities and ideas are appropriate and suitable for all children and families or in all circumstances. Our recommended activities are based on age but these are a guide. We recommend that these ideas are used as inspiration, that ideas are undertaken with appropriate adult supervision, and that each adult uses their own discretion and knowledge of their children to consider the safety and suitability.
Kidadl cannot accept liability for the execution of these ideas, and parental supervision is advised at all times, as safety is paramount. Anyone using the information provided by Kidadl does so at their own risk and we can not accept liability if things go wrong.
Kidadl is independent and to make our service free to you the reader we are supported by advertising.
We hope you love our recommendations for products and services! What we suggest is selected independently by the Kidadl team. If you purchase using the buy now button we may earn a small commission. This does not influence our choices. Please note: prices are correct and items are available at the time the article was published.
Kidadl has a number of affiliate partners that we work with including Amazon. Please note that Kidadl is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.
We also link to other websites, but are not responsible for their content.
Was this article helpful?
We’ll send you tons of inspiration to help you find a hidden gem in your local area or plan a big day out.
Check your inbox for your latest news from us. You have subscribed to:
Remember that you can always manage your preferences or unsubscribe through the link at the foot of each newsletter.