Ankylosaurus magniventris is a large herbivorous thyreophoran that lived in North America during the Late Cretaceous.
It was added to Prehistoric Kingdom in Early Access Update 12.
In-Game[]
Description[]
Ankylosaurus is a large ankylosaurid dinosaur famous for the thick amour that practically covers the animal from head to toe, made out of large knobs and plates made of bone called osteoderms. Its body is squat and broad and its tail bears a deadly club connected to a stiff series of caudal vertebrae fused into a sort of hilt.
The three skins of Ankylosaurus in-game range from a mottled minty green in the "Marsh" skin, to monotone brown with white spots seen on "Peat", and a splotched striped skin with black patterning over an earthy yellow base on the skin "Levee".
Management[]
To be announced.
In-Game Trivia[]
Nigel Marven
Ankylosaurs are built like tanks, and none of them more so than the mighty Ankylosaurus.
Nigel Marven
Although the unarmored belly of Ankylosaurus may seem like a weak point, its body is wide and low to the ground, making it very difficult to flip over, should any large theropods get any bright ideas!
Nigel Marven
It is massive - over six meters long - and has a series of bony osteoderm armor embedded in its skin like chainmail.
Nigel Marven
Paleontologists have made a persuasive argument that ankylosaurs like Ankylosaurus use their tail clubs to fight each other, not just their predators. We’d better keep an eye on their paddock to make sure they don’t pick any fights.
Paleontology[]
Ankylosaurus magniventris was discovered in 1906 by the American paleontologist Barnum Brown, who also discovered the bones that would be named Tyrannosaurus rex. Its generic name means "Fused Lizard" or "'Bent Lizard" while its specific names means "Great Belly".
Paleoecology[]
The bony layer of protective armor was likely covered by a separate tough layer of keratin, turning Ankylosaurus into something not unlike a walking tank. These osteoderms ranged in size from small, rounded nodules to large, flat plates arranged in horizontal rows down the animals neck, back and hips. Tough skull armor pieces called caputegulae protected the top of the head, while four horns were found behind the eyes and mouth, offering further protection from predation. A number of osteoderms on the tip of its tail are enlarged to form the infamous tail club this animal is known for, which combine with a fused series of vertebrae forming a "hilt" as well as powerful tail muscles to allow Ankylosaurus to deliver extremely forceful blows strong enough to shatter bone.
Ankylosaurus likely used its tail club for fighting rival conspecifics and for defense, with evidence of repeated club damage and healing found on the ankylosaur Zuul showcasing that these weapons seem to have served an important role in intraspecific combat similar to the weapons of modern mammals such as deer and of other dinosaurs such as Triceratops and Pachycephalosaurus. The armor of ankylosaurs has been hypothesized to function by dispersing the force from the bites of predators into the armor plates, likely breaking keratin in the process while leaving the rest of the animal minimally harmed. This would then give the ankylosaur the chance to either flee or strike back with its powerful tail. Ultimately, the main defense of ankylosaurs would be the inconvenience presented to any predator that might wish to make one into a meal. Their smaller size, tough armor, and potentially deadly weaponry would not only make attacking an ankylosaur more difficult than some other herbivores such as Edmontosaurus, but consuming one would also be much more of a hassle.
Gallery[]
Trivia[]
- Despite appearing in the Early Access Announcement trailer - where it can be seen napping in the shade as an Argentinosaurus approaches - Ankylosaurus wasn't added until the twelfth major update.
- This is referenced in the Update 12 trailer, as Ankylosaurus finally is seen waking up from its nap.
- This makes Ankylosaurus the second last animal showcased in the Early Access Announcement Trailer to be added in game - with the final holdout being a fellow famous thyreophoran, Stegosaurus.
- Ankylosaurus is one of the most famous thyreophorans along with Stegosaurus, being featured prominently in various pieces of media, with both having appearances in different episodes of the famed documentary Walking With Dinosaurs and the Jurassic Park franchise.
- Prehistoric Kingdom's brown and yellow Ankylosaurus skin "Levee" is partially inspired by the Ankylosaurus design shown in Walking With Dinosaurs.
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