Tarchia
Order: Ornithischia · Suborder: Thyreophora · Infraorder: Ankylosauria · Family: Ankylosauridae
Discovered in southern Mongolia, Tarchia is the largest and the geologically most recent of the Mongolian armored dinosaurs. These dinosaurs were distinguished by the large spikes on their sides and their clubbed tails. Tarchia had a high skull, spikes at the corner of its mouth and a particularly large tail club. Tarchia, meaning brain, was so named because its skull, which is about the same size as Saichania, has a much larger braincase.
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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 Tarchia mean?
The name Tarchia means “Brainy”. It is pronounced TAR-kee-a.
When did Tarchia live?
Tarchia lived during the Late Cretaceous.
Was Tarchia a carnivore or a herbivore?
Tarchia was a herbivore.
How big was Tarchia?
Tarchia was about 20 feet (6.1 meters) long, around 8 feet (2.4 meters) tall, weighing up to 5,700 pounds (2,586 kg).
Related dinosaurs
Other dinosaurs from the Ankylosauridae family.
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