Zuul
Order: Ornithischia · Suborder: Thyreophora · Infraorder: Ankylosauria · Family: Ankylosauridae
Zuul was a herbivorous ankylosaur that lived during the Late Cretaceous period in what is now Montana. Belonging to the order Ornithischia, the suborder Thyreophora, and the family Ankylosauridae, it reached approximately 20 feet (6 meters) in length. The animal is named after a creature from a popular film, a reference inspired by its short-snouted, horned skull.
The fossil of Zuul is exceptionally complete, preserving the skull, much of the body armour, and a heavy bony tail club, as well as patches of soft tissue and skin. This remarkable level of preservation has allowed scientists to study how the armour was arranged across the living animal, offering unusual insight into the biology of armoured dinosaurs.
As a heavily armoured plant-eater, Zuul would have relied on its tail club as a powerful weapon against predators. Its combination of extensive body armour and a formidable tail club made it a well-defended member of the Cretaceous ecosystems it inhabited.
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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 Zuul mean?
The name Zuul means “Named for the film creature Zuul”.
When did Zuul live?
Zuul lived during the Late Cretaceous.
Was Zuul a carnivore or a herbivore?
Zuul was a herbivore.
How big was Zuul?
Zuul was about 20 feet (6 meters) long.
Related dinosaurs
Other dinosaurs from the Ankylosauridae family.
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