Talarurus facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Talarurus |
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Talarurus
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plicatospineus
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Talarurus (say it: TAL-uh-ROOR-us) means "Wicker tail." This amazing dinosaur lived about 90 million years ago. It was an extinct type of dinosaur called an ankylosaurid. Talarurus roamed the land during the later part of the Cretaceous Period. Today, the area where it lived is known as Mongolia.
This dinosaur was about the size of a hippopotamus. It was very strongly built and lived on the ground. Talarurus walked on four legs, just like many animals today. It was a herbivore, meaning it only ate plants. This dinosaur could grow up to 6 meters (about 20 feet) long. Like other ankylosaurs, it had heavy armour covering its body. It also had a big, bony club at the end of its tail. Talarurus is one of the oldest ankylosaurs found in Asia. It is also one of the best-known ankylosaurs from Mongolia.
Contents
What Was Talarurus?
Talarurus was a type of armored dinosaur. It belonged to a group called ankylosaurids. These dinosaurs are famous for their tough, bony plates. These plates acted like a shield, protecting them from predators.
A Plant-Eating Giant
Talarurus was a herbivore. This means its diet was made up entirely of plants. It likely ate low-growing plants and ferns. Its strong body and four legs helped it move around to find food.
Its Amazing Armour
The most striking feature of Talarurus was its heavy armour. This armour covered most of its body. It helped protect the dinosaur from attacks. The tail club was another powerful defense. Talarurus could swing its tail club to hit enemies.
Where Did Talarurus Live?
Talarurus lived in what is now Mongolia. This area was very different 90 million years ago. It was part of a large landmass during the Cretaceous Period.
The Cretaceous Period
The Cretaceous Period was a time when many different dinosaurs lived. It lasted from about 145 to 66 million years ago. This period ended with a major event that caused many dinosaurs to become extinct.
Discovering Talarurus Fossils
Scientists have found many fossils of Talarurus. These fossils help us learn about how it lived. They show us what it looked like and how big it was.
Important Discoveries
The first Talarurus fossils were found in Mongolia. These discoveries helped scientists understand this unique dinosaur. They also showed how ankylosaurs changed over time.
Images for kids
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Fossil localities in Mongolia. Talarurus is mainly known from Baynshire and Bayshin Tsav localities.
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Complete view of the mounted skeleton at MUSE - Science Museum in Trento, featuring unusual traits.
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Size compared to a 1.8 m tall human.
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Diagram featuring the most complete skulls: A) MPC-D 100/1354, B) MPC-D 100/1355 and C) MPC-D 100/1356.
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Life restoration
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Comparison between the skull of Euoplocephalus and other North American ankylosaur taxa. Note the presence of Nodocephalosaurus, the closest relative of Talarurus.
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Life restoration of a Talarurus being preyed by an Achillobator pack.
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Talarurus compared to the Dinosauria from the Bayan Shireh Formation (Talarurus in light red, sixth from right).
See also
In Spanish: Talarurus plicatospineus para niños
