Scutellosaurus is a type of dinosaur that lived around 196 million years ago during the early Jurassic Period. Fossils of this small dinosaur have been found in what is now Arizona, USA.
Scutellosaurus was a member of a group known as the Thyreophora, which includes dinosaurs that had armor or bony plates on their bodies. It is one of the earliest known armored dinosaurs. Unlike many of its relatives, Scutellosaurus walked on two legs.
The name Scutellosaurus means “little-shielded lizard.” The name comes from the Latin word “scutellum,” meaning “little shield,” and the Greek word “sauros,” meaning “lizard.” The only known species of Scutellosaurus is called Scutellosaurus lawleri, named after the person who discovered its fossils, David Lawler.
The first fossils, called the holotype, were found in a specific area of Arizona. These fossils included parts of its skull, teeth, and many bones that made up its body. Scientists believe that Scutellosaurus was light and small, measuring about 1.3 meters long, which is around 4.3 feet.
Scutellosaurus had a long tail that helped balance its body. It also had several rows of bony plates, known as osteoderms, along its neck, back, and tail. These plates varied in shape; some were flat, while others had pits. Scutellosaurus likely used these defenses to protect itself against predators.
Overall, Scutellosaurus is a fascinating example of an early armored dinosaur that provides insight into how these creatures evolved.