Aletopelta
Pronunciation:
Ah-lee-toe-pell-tah
Name Meaning:
“Wandering shield”
Dinosaur Classification:
- Kingdom: Animalia
- Phylum: Chordata
- Class: Reptilia
- Order: Ornithischia
- Suborder: Ankylosauria
- Family: Nodosauridae
- Genus: Aletopelta
- Species: A. coombsi
Dinosaur Description:
Aletopelta was a genus of armored dinosaur from the Late Cretaceous period, approximately 76 to 74 million years ago. It was a member of the Nodosauridae family, a group of herbivorous dinosaurs known for their heavy armor and lack of tail clubs, which were characteristic of their relatives, the Ankylosauridae.
Aletopelta was a quadrupedal dinosaur, meaning it walked on all four limbs. Its body was covered in bony plates, or osteoderms, that provided protection from predators. These plates were scattered across its back and flanks, making it a difficult target for large carnivores of its time. While it lacked the tail club seen in some other ankylosaurs, its armor would have made it a formidable opponent in a confrontation.
Fossils of Aletopelta were discovered in what is now California, making it one of the few nodosaurids discovered in this region. The discovery of this dinosaur was important for understanding the distribution of ankylosaurs in North America, as it was found much farther south than most of its relatives, which were typically discovered in Canada and the northern United States.
Aletopelta’s anatomy suggests it was a slow-moving, low-browsing herbivore, feeding primarily on ferns, cycads, and other low-lying plants. Its low stature and wide, flat body allowed it to graze efficiently close to the ground. The combination of heavy armor and its low center of gravity likely made it a stable, tough herbivore that could hold its ground against predators.
Like other armored dinosaurs, Aletopelta’s osteoderms were embedded in its skin and provided excellent protection from bites. These plates were likely arranged in rows along its back and sides, possibly with some variation in size and shape depending on their position on the body. The presence of these bony structures would have made it difficult for predators to penetrate its defenses, allowing Aletopelta to survive in a dangerous environment filled with large theropods.
Dinosaur Diet and Behavior:
Aletopelta was a herbivore, primarily feeding on low-lying vegetation such as ferns and cycads. It likely used its powerful limbs to move slowly while grazing on plants. Aletopelta’s armored body suggests that its main defense mechanism against predators was its tough exterior rather than speed or agility.
Dinosaur Size:
Aletopelta is estimated to have been about 15 to 20 feet (4.5 to 6 meters) long.
Dinosaur Weight:
Aletopelta likely weighed around 2 tons (4,000 lbs), which is typical for medium-sized nodosaurids.
Fossil Discoveries:
Aletopelta was discovered in 1987 in San Diego County, California. The fossils, consisting of a partial skeleton, are significant because they represent one of the southernmost nodosaurid finds in North America. The discovery was made by paleontologist William J. Morris and his team. The fossils were found in marine deposits, suggesting that the carcass of Aletopelta was washed out to sea after its death, which is why it was preserved in an unusual coastal environment.
What Period Did The Dinosaur Live:
Aletopelta lived during the Late Cretaceous period, approximately 76 to 74 million years ago.
Notable Facts or Trivia:
– Aletopelta was the first dinosaur discovered in California.
– Its name means “Wandering shield,” possibly referring to how its fossils were discovered in marine sediments far from its original habitat.
– Unlike some ankylosaurs, Aletopelta did not have a tail club, but its body was still heavily armored with osteoderms.
– Aletopelta was one of the southernmost ankylosaurs found in North America.
Scientific Significance:
The discovery of Aletopelta in southern California provided significant insight into the range and diversity of nodosaurid dinosaurs in North America. It was one of the few dinosaurs found in this region, and its presence in marine deposits has provided valuable information about the environments these dinosaurs inhabited and how their remains were preserved.
Extinction & Legacy:
Aletopelta, like most dinosaurs, went extinct around 66 million years ago during the Cretaceous-Paleogene extinction event. While its fossils are not as widely known as those of other dinosaurs, its discovery has helped paleontologists better understand the distribution and diversity of armored dinosaurs in North America. Aletopelta’s unique southern location offers insight into the broader geographic range of nodosaurids and highlights the diversity of dinosaur species across different environments.