An armored dinosaur fossil has been discovered recently, shedding light on the incredible strength of its protective armor. The fossil belonged to a nodosaur, a plant-eating dinosaur that lived over 110 million years ago during the Early Cretaceous period. This nodosaur had thick keratin plates and bony spikes that covered its body, providing it with exceptional protection.
Previous assumptions about armored dinosaurs were based on fossils that only showed the bony structures of their armor. However, the exceptionally well-preserved fossil of the nodosaur, named Borealopelta markmitchelli, revealed a thick layer of keratin over its bones, almost 6.3 inches thick in some areas. This discovery indicated that armored dinosaurs like nodosaurs and stegosaurs were likely covered in a bulletproof vest-like layer of keratin, making their armor even more resilient.
Research conducted on the nodosaur’s armor showed that it could withstand an impressive amount of force, similar to that of a high-speed car crash. This revelation challenges previous assumptions about the purpose of dinosaur armor and suggests that it may have been used for both protection against predators and in combat between males for mating purposes.
The study of the nodosaur’s armor also provides valuable insights into other armored dinosaurs, indicating that many of them may have had similar thick keratin sheaths covering their bodies. This finding could change the way scientists interpret the appearance and behavior of armored dinosaurs in the future.
Overall, the discovery of the nodosaur’s well-preserved armor has opened up new possibilities for understanding the capabilities and adaptations of ancient dinosaurs. By analyzing the structure and composition of its armor, researchers have gained a deeper understanding of how these fascinating creatures survived and thrived in their prehistoric environments.