![A Picture of Ankylosaurus Magniventris](https://www.factsjustforkids.com/wp-content/uploads/ankylosaurus-magniventris.png)
- Species Type: Ankylosaurus Magniventris
- Type of Dinosaur: Thyreophora
- Period: Cretaceous
- Diet: Foliage (herbivorous)
- Life Span: Between 70 and 80 years
- Length: Between 20 and 26 feet
- Weight: Between 4 and 8 tons
19 Ankylosaurus Facts for Kids
- The Ankylosaurus was discovered in 1906, by Barnum Brown during an American Museum of Natural History expedition.
- The Ankylosaurus got its scientific name Ankylosaurus magniventris in 1908, from Barnum Brown.
- The type specimen number for the Ankylosaurus magniventris is AMNH 5895.
- The name Ankylosaurus means: “Fused Lizard”.
- The name Ankylosaurus is pronounced: “ang-KILE-uh-SAWR-us”.
- The Ankylosaurus was part of a group of dinosaurs known as Thyreophorans (armored dinosaurs).
- The Ankylosaurus was a quadrupedal, meaning it walked on four legs.
- The top speed of an Ankylosaurus is estimated to only have been up to six miles per hour.
- They lived at the end of the Cretaceous Period between 66 to 68 million years ago.
- Estimates put the length of the Ankylosaurus between 20 and 26 feet.
- Estimates put the weight of the Ankylosaurus between 2 and 8 tons.
- The Ankylosaurus was a herbivore that ate foliage near the ground.
- Based on studies of the Ankylosaurus skull paleontologists think they had a very good sense of smell.
- The back of an Ankylosaurus had a lot of bony plates which would have protected it from the teeth of a predator.
- The bone plates on an Ankylosaurus are known as scutes and osteoderms.
- The tail of an Ankylosaurus was basically a large club that it could swing in defense. Paleontologists think an adult Ankylosaurus could produce enough force with its club to break the bones of a predator.
- Based on all the protective and defensive features of the Ankylosaurus paleontologist called it a living tank.
- The Ankylosaurus even had protection for its eyes, they had small plates that protected their eyelids.
- The belly of an Ankylosaurus was most likely soft and vulnerable. Predators trying to attack and takedown an Ankylosaurus would have most likely needed to flip to over.
Ankylosaurus Pictures
![The ankylosaurus exhibit at the Moab Museum](https://www.factsjustforkids.com/wp-content/uploads/ankylosaurus-exhibit-at-moab-museum.png)
The Ankylosaurus exhibit at the Moab Museum.Credit: TripAdvisor
![The ankylosaurus exhibit at Glendive Dinosaur and Fossil Museum](https://www.factsjustforkids.com/wp-content/uploads/ankylosaurus-exhibit-at-glendive-dinosaur-and-fossil-museum.png)
The Ankylosaurus exhibit at Glendive Dinosaur & Fossil Museum.Credit: TripAdvisor
![A closeup of an ankylosaurus museum exhibit.](https://www.factsjustforkids.com/wp-content/uploads/ankylosaurus-exhibit.png)
A close-up of an Ankylosaurus museum exhibit.Credit: Janice McLean
Additional Resources on Ankylosauruses
- Ankylosaurus magniventris @ Wikipedia – Learn more about the Ankylosaurus on the Wikipedia website.
- Ankylosaurus: Facts About the Armored Lizard – Find more fun Ankylosaurus facts for kids on the LiveScience website.
- Ankylosaurus – Get more information on the Ankylosaurus from the The Natural History Museum in London.