Scutellosaurus
Order: Ornithischia · Suborder: Thyreophora (not confirmed)
Scutellosaurus was a small, lightly-armored dinosaur with a tail twice the length of its body and head. It was covered with hundreds of tiny bony knobs set into its skin.
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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 Scutellosaurus mean?
The name Scutellosaurus means “Little Shield Lizard”. It is pronounced scoo-TEL-oh-SAWR-us.
When did Scutellosaurus live?
Scutellosaurus lived during the Early Jurassic.
Was Scutellosaurus a carnivore or a herbivore?
Scutellosaurus was a herbivore.
How big was Scutellosaurus?
Scutellosaurus was about 4 feet (1.2 meters) long, around 2 feet (0.6 meters) tall.
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