The Real-Life Jurassic Park?
There were some interesting finds about the discovery that stunned everybody. The fossil was what some 110 -112 million-years-old, but the scientists found some race of skin and soft tissues still attached with the body of the dinosaur. This fossil has not only given the scientists more information about the dinosaur but also a tragic story about this species which was lost in time.
Meeting A New Dinosaur
The fossil is one of the biggest finds in the century, and it was one such discovery that amazed every paleontologist all around the world. But what should we name it? The scientists had no idea what to name this species as it was a new discovery which hasn’t happened before. This species was from the family of nodosaur, a plant-eater from the Cretaceous period. Because of the fossil scientists know more about nodosaur. But with further research, the scientists found out some mind-boggling things about the species,
The Loner Of Dinosaurs
Nodosaurs were 18 feet long and weighed around 3,000 pounds. Now just imagine at what force that water might have hit him that was able to sweep this huge creature. Despite being so huge in size, the nodosaur wasn’t like T-Rex type predator. You can compare this creature with present-day rhinoceros, also a plant-eater who prefers to spend his time alone.
But Don’t Make It Mad
The nodosaur comes from a family of the Ankylosauridae, but unlike other members of the family, the nodosaur didn’t have a spiked tail. Paleontologists suggest that Ankylosaurs do seem like a slow breed but during the attack, they act very fast. Ray Stanford, a dinosaur specialist, described this species as a “four-footed tank.” The nodosaur has two 20-inch long spikes that start from his shoulders and would have helped the creature in defending itself from the enemy.
A Perfect Fossil
After seeing the condition of this fossil Michael Greshko compared it with “winning the lottery.” The fossil holds the title of being the oldest Albertan dinosaur ever discovered. There is a lot that’s needed to learn from this fossil and the scholars are trying their best to find out more about nodosaur. The Millenium Mile nodosaur is very unique as a species and has a lot to offer about the past.
A Technicolor Dream
“It really helps us visualize what these weird dinosaurs would have looked like while alive,” said Victoria Arbour from the Royal Ontario Museum. The dinosaur’s armor is incredibly well preserved and there are some preserved tissues that could be seen under a microscope. “This armor was clearly providing protection, but those elaborated horns on the front of its body would have been almost like a billboard,” according To Vinther who is a specialist in animal coloration.