**Anodontosaurus: A Unique Dinosaur**
Anodontosaurus is a type of dinosaur that lived during the Late Cretaceous period, around 75 to 67 million years ago. It is part of a group called ankylosaurs, which are known for their heavy armor and club-like tails.
**Where Did It Live?**
Anodontosaurus fossils have been found mainly in southern Alberta, Canada. It lived during a time known as the Campanian to Maastrichtian stages of the Late Cretaceous. Fossils from Anodontosaurus are located in two significant formations: the Horseshoe Canyon Formation and the Dinosaur Park Formation.
**Discovery of Anodontosaurus**
The name Anodontosaurus means “toothless lizard.” This name was given by a paleontologist named Charles Sternberg in 1929. He discovered a partially preserved skeleton, including the skull and some armor plates, in a quarry near Morrin, Alberta. The name “toothless” comes from the fact that the teeth were damaged and thus made it look like the dinosaur had none.
There are two recognized species of Anodontosaurus:
1. Anodontosaurus lambei – the original species described by Sternberg.
2. Anodontosaurus inceptus – which was identified later.
**What Did Anodontosaurus Look Like?**
Anodontosaurus was a medium-sized dinosaur, measuring about 4 to 5 meters long (13 to 16 feet) and weighing around 2 tons. It walked on all fours and was a herbivore, meaning it ate plants.
It had protective bony armor on its back. One of its most distinctive features was a wide, club-shaped tail. The skull of Anodontosaurus had unique small bone plates behind its eyes.
**Juvenile Specimens**
Some of the fossils suggest that there were juvenile Anodontosaurus. These specimens show differences compared to adult fossils, such as not having fused bones. These differences indicate they were still growing.
**Classification and Relations**
Anodontosaurus belongs to the Ankylosauridae family, which consists of other armored dinosaurs. Over the years, paleontologists have studied its relationships with other ankylosaurs. As new discoveries and research happened, Anodontosaurus was confirmed as its own distinct genus.
**Summary**
Anodontosaurus is a fascinating dinosaur that showcases the diversity of prehistoric life. With its unique name and features, it captures the interest of anyone wanting to learn about dinosaurs. As paleontologists continue to study these ancient creatures, more insights about their lives and habitats emerge.