Panoplosaurus
Order: Ornithischia · Suborder: Thyreophora · Infraorder: Ankylosauria · Family: Nodosauridae
Once thought to be the same as Edmontonia, it is probably a different genus. Panaoplosaurus and Edmontoniaare found in Alberta, Canada, Montana and Texas. It had rows of thick bony plates which covered its pear-shaped head and its neck, back, and tail. Long spikes protected its sides and shoulders, but its tail, like those of all nodosaurids, was club less. Panoplosauruswas one of the last of the North American nodosaurids.
More Cretaceous-period dinosaurs →
Reference background: Natural History Museum, London — Dinosaurs; Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History — Dinosaurs; American Museum of Natural History — Dinosaurs & Fossils. Figures are typical published ranges; taxonomy follows the source era and modern consensus is noted where it differs. See our sources & fact-check policy.
Frequently asked questions
What does Panoplosaurus mean?
The name Panoplosaurus means “(Fully) Armored Lizard”. It is pronounced pan-OP-luh-SAWR-us.
When did Panoplosaurus live?
Panoplosaurus lived during the Late Cretaceous.
Was Panoplosaurus a carnivore or a herbivore?
Panoplosaurus was a herbivore.
How big was Panoplosaurus?
Panoplosaurus was about 23 feet (7 meters) long, around 7 feet (2.1 meters) tall, weighing up to 6,000 pounds (2,720 kg).
Related dinosaurs
Other dinosaurs from the Nodosauridae family.
Compare the dinosaurs
See size, diet, period and family for hundreds of dinosaurs side by side.
Compare dinosaurs →