A well-preserved fossil of a plant-eating dinosaur, the nodosaur, can withstand the force of a high-speed car crash, a study has revealed. The fossil, discovered in Alberta, Canada, is of Boreopelta markmitchelli, a species that lived during the Early Cretaceous period, about 110 million years ago. This fossil is one of the best-preserved dinosaur specimens ever found, providing unprecedented insight into the defensive capabilities of the nodosaur’s armor.
Study Insights from Expert Researchers
Research led by UCLA biomechanical paleontologist Dr. Michael Habib revealed that the keratin sheaths covering the nodosaur’s bone spikes were much thicker than originally thought. The thickness of the keratin layer on the fossil measured about 16 centimeters in some areas, much thicker than the keratin found in modern animals such as cattle horns. This keratin, combined with the bone spikes, provided exceptionally strong protection.
According to Dr Habib, the strength of the nodosaur’s armor was such that it could withstand more than 125,000 joules of energy per square meter – equivalent to the force exerted by a high-speed car collision. The research highlighted that this armor was a defense against predators, but it probably also played a role in fights between males of the same species.
Optimize for flexibility and security
The study further suggested that the nodosaur’s armor, which consisted of a flexible keratin layer, allowed for greater mobility and protection. If the keratin was damaged, it could be shed, offering a quicker recovery mechanism than brittle bone armor that could break under impact. The presence of keratin may also have allowed dinosaurs to fight effectively with their rivals, which could have been important in mating battles.
The fossil’s remarkable preservation has led to further information about the armor of other dinosaur species, leading researchers to suggest that similar adaptations may have been widespread among armored dinosaurs.
