The Armored Dinosaur of the Early Jurassic
Meet Scelidosaurus, an early armored dinosaur from the Early Jurassic period, around 191 million years ago!
| Meaning | Limb lizard [Scelido-saurus] |
| Pronunciation | SKEL-ih-doh-sore-us |
| When: | Early Jurassic (about 196–183 million years ago) |
| Where: | Europe (United Kingdom) |
| What: | Thyreophoran (early armored dinosaur) |
| Weight: | Estimated around 270–320 kg (600–700 pounds) |
| Length: | Approximately 4 meters (13 feet) |
| Diet: | Herbivorous (ate low-lying plants) |
| Discovered: | First described by Richard Owen in 1861 |
Scelidosaurus was a small to medium-sized herbivore, measuring about 4 meters (13 feet) long.
It had a unique armor of bony plates and spikes along its back and sides, providing protection from predators.
Scelidosaurus walked on all fours and had strong, sturdy legs.
Its beak-like mouth was perfect for munching on low-lying plants and ferns.
Imagine Scelidosaurus slowly moving through ancient forests, using its armored body to stay safe from meat-eating dinosaurs.