The Ankylosaurus, a dinosaur from the Late Cretaceous period, is widely recognized for its imposing armored appearance. This quadrupedal herbivore was equipped with extensive bony plates, known as osteoderms, embedded in its skin. Its diet consisted entirely of plants, a fact supported by its unique physical adaptations.
The Ankylosaurus Diet
Ankylosaurus was a herbivore. It primarily grazed on low-lying vegetation, such as ferns, cycads, and shrubs, abundant in its Late Cretaceous habitat. The dinosaur’s broad muzzle suggests it was a non-selective browser, consuming whatever available plant matter it could easily reach from the ground. This included tough leaves and possibly pulpy fruits.
The dental structure of Ankylosaurus indicates its diet was limited to softer vegetation. Its small, leaf-shaped teeth were not designed for breaking down large, fibrous plants, but for stripping and mashing plant material. Paleontologists estimate an Ankylosaurus needed to consume around 60 kilograms (130 pounds) of ferns per day, comparable to a large elephant’s daily intake. This high volume was necessary to meet its nutritional requirements, as its food was not thoroughly chewed.
Physical Adaptations for Eating
The anatomical features of Ankylosaurus were well-suited for its ground-level diet. Its skull was broad and low, with the front part of its jaws covered by a beak-like structure. This beak would have been used for cropping or stripping vegetation, allowing it to efficiently gather plant material. Behind the beak, Ankylosaurus possessed small, leaf-shaped, peg-like teeth that were compressed sideways.
These teeth were designed for mashing and processing plant matter, rather than extensive grinding. Compared to its massive body, the Ankylosaurus had a relatively small skull and jaws, suggesting it processed food slowly. The broadness of its ribcage points to a large digestive system, likely employing hindgut fermentation, similar to modern herbivorous lizards. This digestive process helped break down the large quantities of unchewed plant material it consumed.
Uncovering the Ankylosaurus’s Menu
Paleontologists deduce the diet of ancient creatures like Ankylosaurus by examining various lines of fossil evidence. The shape and wear patterns of fossilized teeth provide significant clues. Ankylosaurus teeth indicate a plant-based diet, as they are not suited for tearing flesh. The structure of its jaw and and skull also offers insights into how it processed food.
In rare instances, direct evidence such as fossilized stomach contents or coprolites (fossilized dung) can provide definitive proof of a dinosaur’s diet. For example, a mummified ankylosaur (a related nodosaur) revealed well-preserved fern fragments and charcoal in its stomach, indicating it ate specific plants and possibly browsed in areas recovering from wildfires. Such discoveries, while uncommon for Ankylosaurus, help confirm the herbivorous nature and dietary preferences within the broader ankylosaur group.