[D] Scutellosaurus lawleri [Su] [sG] [T]
Describer
Colbert, 1981
Time
Jurassic Early Hettangian
Classification
Ornithischia Thyreophora
Diet
Herbivore
Fossilsite
Kayenta Formation, Arizona, US
Info
Genus - Typespecies - Skull
Like Scelidosaurus, Scutellosaurus was a primitive ornitischian close to the ancestry of ankylosaurs and stegosaurs. A lightly armoured herbivore, descended from small bipedal ancestors. Scutellosaurus could walk or run on its long hind limbs, balanced by its elongated tail.
It is possible that the weight of the lengthy body and bony scutes made the animal frontheavy. This would cause it to go down on all fours, supporting the forepart of its body on its relatively long fore limbs and large hands. Hundreds of scutes shielded Scutellosaurus from attack by theropods.
Fragmentary skull and skeleton from at least 2 individuals.