What Armored Dinosaurs Were There？

Are you looking for an easy way to teach your child about dinosaurs? We’ve put together a set of free materials that parents and teachers can use right away. In this lesson, your child will dive into the fascinating world of armored dinosaurs. 

We’ll explore how they fought and defended themselves. Explore science in a more engaging way with captivating 3D videos and interactive quizzes. Download our app to get started!

What You Will Learn From This Lesson

How Did Stegosaurus Use Its Plates?

The Stegosaurus was a medium-sized herbivorous dinosaur that lived during the Late Jurassic period. It had sharp bony plates running all the way down its back to its tail. These plates, which could be triangular or diamond-shaped, were likely used as armor to protect its back from predators. The Stegosaurus was armored from head to tail.

It also possessed sharp tail spikes, which it used for offense. When threatened, the Stegosaurus would swing its powerful spiked tail at an enemy, such as an Allosaurus, to defend itself. Its combination of plates and tail spikes made it a powerful dinosaur.

What Did Ankylosaur Use for Defense?

Another type of armored dinosaur was the Ankylosaur, which faced predators like the Tyrannosaurus. Unlike the Stegosaurus, the Ankylosaur had flat, hard plates covering its entire body, including its head and neck, making it armored from head to toe. This dense, protective covering prevented predators from biting through.

The Ankylosaur’s main weapon was its heavy tail club, which it used defensively like a hammer. The tail club had a large knob made of two halves. This powerful weapon helped it fight off large attackers, such as the Tyrannosaurus.

Why Did Pachycephalosaurus Have a Thick Skull?

Some dinosaurs, like the Pachycephalosaurus, had their armor focused on their heads. This herbivore lived in North America during the Cretaceous period. The Pachycephalosaurus is famous for its thick, domelike skull, which it developed to defend against predators.

This skull was incredibly sturdy, measuring about 10 inches thick and shaped like a helmet. The dinosaurs used this thick bony bump as a weapon in fights, like headbutting. Its robust skull was built to withstand strong impacts and powerful blows.

How Did Styracosaurus Use Its Horns?

The Styracosaurus is another dinosaur with an armored head. It featured a sharp horn that could grow as long as 24 inches. This dinosaur also had four pairs of spikes on its head, surrounding its face.

Both its sharp horn and spikes functioned as its armor, providing protection for its head. Its armored head and sharp horn were great for scaring away predators or showing off to other dinosaurs. 

Fun Fact

• The protective plates on a Stegosaurus could grow to be the size of a kite.
• Scientists first mistakenly assembled the Stegosaurus skeleton with the plates on its back like a turtle shell.
• The incredibly strong skull of the Pachycephalosaurus was about 10 inches thick.
• The Ankylosaur was covered in bony armor from its head all the way to its tail.
• The Styracosaurus had a sharp horn on its nose that could measure 24 inches long.

Vocabulary

• Stegosaurus: A herbivorous dinosaur with sharp, protective bony plates on its back and spikes on its tail.
• Ankylosaur: A dinosaur that was covered in flat, hard bony plates and used a heavy tail club for defense.
• Pachycephalosaurus: A dinosaur known for its very thick, domelike skull that protected it from strong impacts.
• Styracosaurus: A dinosaur with a large horn and several spikes on its head used for both protection and fighting.
• Tail Club: A heavy, weapon-like structure at the end of the Ankylosaur’s tail, made of bone.
• Tail Spikes: The sharp points on the end of a Stegosaurus’s tail used to strike enemies.