The Well-Armed Dinosaur
Euoplocephalus was a heavily armored dinosaur that lived during the Late Cretaceous period, about 76 to 70 million years ago.
| Meaning | Well-armored head [Eu-oplo-cephalus] |
| Pronunciation | yoo-oh-ploh-SEF-ah-lus |
| When: | Late Cretaceous (about 76–67 million years ago) |
| Where: | North America (Canada, USA) |
| What: | Ankylosaur (armored herbivorous) |
| Weight: | Estimated around 2–2.5 metric tons |
| Length: | Approximately 6 meters (20 feet) |
| Diet: | Herbivorous (ate low-lying plants) |
| Discovered: | First described by Lawrence Lambe in 1910 |
It belonged to the ankylosaur family, which is known for its formidable armor and club-like tails.
The name “Euoplocephalus” means “well-armored head,” a fitting description for this dinosaur with its thick, bony plates and nodules protecting its body and head.
Euoplocephalus was a medium-sized dinosaur, growing up to about 6 meters (20 feet) in length and weighing around 2 tons.
Its most striking feature was its extensive body armor, which included large, bony plates (osteoderms) embedded in its skin, covering its back, sides, and even parts of its limbs and skull. This armor provided excellent protection against predators.
One of the distinctive traits of Euoplocephalus was its tail club, a heavy, bony mass at the end of its tail that it could swing to deliver powerful blows to attackers.
As a herbivore, Euoplocephalus fed on low-growing plants, using its beak to crop vegetation.