Pawpawsaurus
Order: Ornithischia · Suborder: Thyreophora · Infraorder: Ankylosauria · Family: Nodosauridae
Pawpawsaurus was named for the eastern Texas Paw Paw rock formation in which it was discovered in 1989 by 12-year-old Johnny Maurice. This specimen found represents the only babynodosaur fossil discovery. Pawpawsaurus, like other armored nodosaurs, resembled large modern armadillos, which roam the Texas plains today. In the same Paw Paw formation, near where the baby nodosaur was discovered, a nearly complete skull of an adult Pawpawsaurus was discovered.
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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 Pawpawsaurus mean?
The name Pawpawsaurus means “Paw Paw (from the eastern Texas”. It is pronounced PAH-pah-SAWR-us.
When did Pawpawsaurus live?
Pawpawsaurus lived during the Late Cretaceous.
Was Pawpawsaurus a carnivore or a herbivore?
Pawpawsaurus was a herbivore.
How big was Pawpawsaurus?
Pawpawsaurus was about 20 feet (6.1 meters) long, around 6 feet (1.8 meters) tall, weighing up to 4,000 pounds (1,814 kg).
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