The Thumb-Spiked Plant-Eater!
Say hello to Iguanodon, the incredible dinosaur with a super special thumb spike!
| Meaning | Iguana tooth [Iguan-odon] |
| Pronunciation | ig-WAN-uh-don |
| When: | Early Cretaceous (139–124 million years ago) |
| Where: | Europe (notably in Belgium, England, and Spain) |
| What: | Ornithopod (bipedal/quadrupedal herbivorous dinosaur) |
| Weight: | Approximately 3–5 metric tons |
| Length: | About 9–11 meters (30–36 feet) |
| Diet: | Herbivorous (ate ferns, cycads, and conifers) |
| Discovered: | First described by Gideon Mantell in 1825 |
Iguanodon was a gentle plant-eater that roamed the Earth around 125 million years ago.
This dinosaur was about as long as a school bus and could walk on both two legs and four, making it very versatile.
But what really makes Iguanodon unique is its amazing thumb spike!
Imagine having a giant thumb that you could use to defend yourself or break apart tough plants – that’s exactly what Iguanodon had.
With its beak-like mouth, Iguanodon could munch on leaves and branches, using its thumb spike to protect itself from hungry predators.
Iguanodon lived in large herds, moving together to find food and stay safe.
With its thumb spike ready and its mouth full of plants, Iguanodon was always prepared for any adventure!