FOR AGES 3 YEARS TO 18 YEARS
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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.
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Scolosaurus is an extinct genus of ankylosaurid dinosaurs that was a member of the family Ankylosauridae and the subfamily Ankylosaurinae. The fossils of this Campanian Late Cretaceous extinct genus creature have been discovered in the Dinosaur Park Formation and Oldman Formation in Alberta, Canada.
This genus comprises only two species: Scolosaurus cutleri, and Scolosaurus thronus, which are the oldest known ankylosaurid dinosaurs of North America. They are assumed to have existed in the Campanian stage of the Late Cretaceous in the Dinosaur Park Formation.
The name of this genus was given in 1928 by Franz Nopsca and means pointed spike lizard. The dinosaurs of this genus belong to the order Ornithischia. The ankylosaurid dinosaurs are estimated to have attained a length between 19.6-21.3 ft (6-6.5 m) and weighed 4,000 lb (1800 kg). They are thought to have been medium in size, possessing a clubbed tail and thick skin, along with bony armor plates. Their diet comprised plant-based material.
A study by Currie and Arbour in 2013 had suggested that the genus Oohktokia is Scolosaurus's junior synonym.
Keep reading to discover fun Scolosaurus facts about its diet, range, appearance, and more!
If you enjoyed reading our Scolosaurus facts, you must check out our dino-mite Thalassodromeus facts for kids and Cearadactylus interesting facts!
Scolosaurus is pronounced as 'sko-low-sore-us'. The name of this genus means 'pointed stake lizard' and originates from the Greek terms 'skolos' and 'sauros'.
Scolosaurus is a Campanian Late Cretaceous genus of the order Ornithischia, which includes two species of ankylosaurid dinosaur, Scolosaurus cutleri, and Scolosaurus thronus.
They lived in the Campanian stage of the Late Cretaceous period approximately 76.5 million years ago in present-day Alberta, Canada, and Montana, USA.
This Late Cretaceous dinosaur of the genus of ankylosaurid is believed to have gone extinct 70.6 million years ago!
Scolosaurus fossils have been discovered in the Dinosaur Park Formation, Alberta, Canada, and Two Medicine Formation, Montana, USA .
Scolosaurus was a herbivorous dinosaur that lived in the warm subtropical or temperate, semi-arid climate of the present-day USA and Canada.
It is not known who these dinosaurs lived with. However, it is assumed that their short legs and tank-like bodies did not allow them to walk for long distances in herds, suggesting that they probably lived in a restricted range and were solitary. We know that they co-existed with the Aralosaurus, Hadrosaurs, and Tyrannosaurus during the Cretaceous period.
The lifespan of this dinosaur is not yet evaluated. However, ankylosaurids are estimated to have lived for up to 64 years!
These Cretaceous period dinosaurs are known to have reproduced through eggs.
The appearance of the Scolosaurus is estimated through an almost complete skeleton specimen that was excavated from Alberta, Canada, but did not include a skull. It is believed to have been an ankylosaur of medium size that had thick skin. This thick skin had osteoderms (bony armor plates) that provided protection to this dinosaur from predators. Its clubbed tail also provided defense against predators like Tyrannosaurs. These creatures ranged between 19.6-21.3 ft (6-6.5 m) in length and are assumed to have reached a weight of 4,000 lb (1800 kg).
The total number of bones the Scolosaurus possessed is not known. The skeleton excavated was almost complete but lacked the tail's distal end, the right hindlimb, the right forelimb, and the skull.
Ankylosaurs had elongated respiratory tracts that could have been utilized to produce sounds to communicate with one another. It is assumed that they made low-frequency sounds with their long necks and long respiratory tracts.
Estimating from the specimen excavated, which did not include a skull, this dinosaur is assumed to have attained a length ranging between 19.6-21.3 ft (6-6.5 m). They are slightly smaller than the Aublysodon dinosaurs that ranged between 22.9-26.2 ft (7-8 m) in length!
Ankylosaurs moved quite slowly at an estimated speed of 6 mph (9.6 kph)
It is estimated that this dinosaur weighed 4,000 lb (2 tons).
The suffix of the term dinosaur is saurus for males and saura for females.
The baby of Scolosaurus dinosaurs can be referred to as a hatchling or juvenile.
These mighty creatures were herbivores and fed upon plant material only. They were preyed upon by larger dinosaurs like the Tyrannosaurus!
These dinosaurs did not prey upon other animals and are believed to have not been as aggressive as other huge dinosaurs. However, they were quite large and had thick skin that with armor plates and a clubbed tail which suggests that they were great at protecting themselves.
The species Euoplocephalus tutus and Scolosaurus cutleri were initially synonymized. However, Scolosaurus possessed different cervical armor and was thus distinguished from Euoplocephalus!
A study by Currie and Arbour in 2013 had suggested that the genus Oohktokia is Scolosaurus's junior synonym.
The 'cutleri' part of Scolosaurus cutleri, was kept in the honor of the discoverer of this species, W. E. Cutler. The specimen fell on top of Cutler, leaving him severely injured.
The specimen of this genus can be seen in Bozeman, Montana at the Museum of the Rockies.
Barnum Brown gave the subfamily Ankylosaurinae and the family Ankylosauridae their respective names.
Yes, these animals had armor plates on their body. These armor plates are assumed to have helped these animals in defending themselves from the huge creatures that preyed upon them.
The species Scolosaurus cutleri and Scolosaurus thronus belong to the genus Scolosaurus. They are referred to as ankylosaurs.
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 Sphaerotholus fun facts and Hoplitosaurus surprising facts for kids.
You can even occupy yourself at home by coloring in one of our free printable Scolosaurus coloring pages.
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.
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